How to get Sponsored

[Fa8tal]

Most people have no idea how to get Sponsored,

The funny part is how easy it is to do, and you do not have to be fast and stand on a podium to have them, but it does help.

For the average, or up and coming racer there are many ways to gain sponsors, the easy way is to join a club or race team and learn for others that have "been there and done that". but I wanted to offer a few other ideas that work well, and if nothing else can save you some money.

First, a sponsorship is an agreement between you and a business. For things to work out and you to work with them next year, both parties have to gain something. I will give you a few ideas that make you both smile at the end of a season.

Where to look? To be a smart azz, everywhere. but the easy places you may have overlooked. The local spots are NOT easy like your LBS, you will have to work harder to get a small shop to back you up, but the large businesses are set to hook you up! Look at your favorite online Bike Shop, they have a sponsor link waiting for you.

I will use Price Point as a start: open the home site, look at the bottom under information, there you will see sponsorship. They not only have all the information ready for, but show you how to apply, and what is not good enough!

Most sites will have information available like this if you start looking. But start to think a little bigger, the parent company (think Fox, AXO, Oakley, and every other company that YOU buy their stuff) Start digging and you will find a way to contact them.

Race resume: this you will have to build, and this is what you will send to the companies.
First be honest, tell your story and why you should be sponsored. Do not sell your self short! did you work on trails this year? did you help set up a race? do you belong to team or club? if not, then you should have. Remember the part about both sides win? this is your chance to show your advocacy as a trail steward, or representative to a company. Do you want to give good stuff to a dirt bag? neither do they.

Things I do: I belong to several bicycle organizations, I assist in races as well as race (both trail, and road). I work with the race officials and work for my sponsors to have them added to the banners, fliers, and become a Representative for my sponsors. I talk to my companies, and they send me the cool swag you get at a race (ever wonder where that stuff came from?) Better companies will send some nice stuff, have you seen tires, tools, shirts, computers, and other stuff given away?
I also lead trail rides, I attempt to have a zero drop ride for all levels of ability, here I give advice on bikes, gear, trails (good/bad) as well as instruct when NOT to ride. I either have a hammer session before, or afterwards for my fun.

Last, us your online skills. There are sites for free that will help you out. check out:
http://http://www.hookit.com/members/fa8tal/

Hookit is free for your first 10 applications, then you have to pay for full status. This is my page, I have most at 50% off retail for my sponsors listed. Besides, it feels good to have "your" people to talk to after a race. (send them pics in the race with their product names showing for super feedback)

Hope this helps you out!

[rsutton1223]

Great tips. Shared this thread on the Bike198 Facebook page.

[faf1967]

Great tips...

I would like to add some information that might help people.

First you need to define what sponsorship means to you. Is it paying you to ride, paying your expenses (IE: race fees, repairs, new bikes, clothing, etc), or both.

At my company we got the company to sponsor us by paying our entry fees. The we ask 2 companies that supply us with computer hardware and software to buy us shirts. We put their logos on the shirts for advertising.

[Bigred15]

I thought about trying to do this, but it was just easier for me to link up with a local bike shop sponsored race team. I get great discounts on parts and, depending on the brand, really good deals on bikes. I also get bumped to the front of the line for service when needed. I also get stupid good deals on merchandise from the team's sponsors. You also get the built in advantage of having other racers there to bum parts off of.

[Apond]

If i'm racing for a bike club and pick up a couple of sponsors how can you represent them on the bike if your already wearing clothing that represents someone else? Is there reasonable requests to make when asking about sponsorship? If I already recieve race reimbursment from my club, can I specify discount on bike parts etc from someone else? Dont want to short myself but also want to get the most I can

[Fa8tal]

Apond; From my experience you just need to see what is in your contract of the sponsorship, lets use a local bike shop, they may be your primary sponsor for your jersey, but you have another company like "ODI" for grips, you can have both if the contract do not conflict. ODI may ask you to have stickers on your helmet and bike as well as mention them if your on a podium.

If you have several sponsors you can make things work together, just avoid to for the same focus spot; Gloves don't have Fox and AXO, or helmets Bell and Giro.

My sponsors have many areas, helmet cam, shoes, power drinks and bars, as well as bike parts. Gamut I use for ring guides, but Hayes is my brakes (Hayes is a conglomerate with Manitou, Answer, Wheelsmith, and Sun Ringle) so you do have to avoid conflict down the road. (I am not a PRO, so none of the companies comes to my races and checks up on me) But I think you get the idea.
Smitty