Replying to Sponsorship questions

Hey NS, I feel like its that time in my career where I want to start looking for some sponsorship's. I typed out a solid email and wondering where to send it. From what i'm hearing, you should send it to a local shop and just take if from there. Does that sound right? Or should I try to just send it to some companies. Any of you guys out there that have some sponsorship's that could shed some advice down to me? Again, thanks!