View Full Version : getting sponsored
135crewchief
11-12-05, 09:16 PM
How many of you are sponsored? If so how do you go about getting sponsored? Next season i'm going to race for the first time and all the extra info will be nice.
Check with Balance Bar, Powerbar and Cliff. They all have programs to give money to athletes.
Koffee
madbiker555
11-13-05, 12:18 AM
Im not sure anyone here is sponsored.
You'll need a detailed resume about yourself, your past accomplishments, your goals for the upcoming year (i.e., what and how many races), want you want out of potential sponsors, and what they will get in return. Make sure it is well written, looks professional, and include some photos.
Start small by contacting your local shops. My LBS has a race team which you can join and they provide uniforms, support for races, etc.
I have a few sponsors primarily through the team that I race with. I am still waiting to hear from some companies about personal sponsorship. So far I don't get anything free, just really nice discounts. You really don't get much free until you make it to the expert or pro level. Everything is still being worked out for this coming season. I'm hoping to race expert for the 2007 season.
The best place to start looking for sponsorship is your local bike shop. You would be amazed at how much getting everything at cost helps.
If you are wanting to get some sponsors you really need to have a race resume. Also know that November is when most of the sponsorship agreements are made. Oh, and how well you finish is actually a small part of getting sponsorship. Representation is the most important. Do you lead group rides? Do you do trail maintenance? How do you dress and act in public? All of these are very important.
Last but not least, check out www.sponsorhouse.com . That is probably the easiest way to find sponsors.
Here is an example of a race resume. (http://www.grassrootsriding.com/documents/BruceMillerResume.pdf) I only posted two years back on my race results because before that I raced beginner class. I didn't think that information was necessary.
Look at monster energy lol.
i dont have any real adivce, just want to say good luck and hope you get someone to sponser you.
My first sponsorships were individual ones with component companies that had some ties to my geographic area and/or our regional race series. FINALLY this year I got supported by a local bike shop that has a real commitment to racing as a marketing/exposure tool. Everyone's advice from previous posts is very good.
I'm going to make a shameless plug here and encourage you to read the article I wrote in the Nov. issue of Mountain Bike Action magazine (how it got published is a whole 'nuther story) entitled "How to Get Sponsored." I tried to lay out in concise form what has worked for me. Good luck!
i read that article! not bad man.
and i was going to mention it but i didnt.
I read it as well, very nice article. That was the first time I had ever heard of www.sponsorhouse.com .
zeddybear
11-20-05, 07:11 PM
Getting sonsored is not all fun and games. Pick up a november issue of MBA for an article about a normal guy who decided to get sponsored. Now, I'm sponsored by 661, and a major bike company that I cannot disclose at this time due to ontract deals
135crewchief
11-20-05, 07:44 PM
Pick up a november issue of MBA for an article about a normal guy who decided to get sponsored.
Yeah, I red that issue. That guys is from the same town as me, and that article is what sparked the interest of sponsorship to me.
Gerst240
12-01-05, 12:56 PM
i am sponsored by kenda and 661 right now i dont plan on doing any racing of any sort next year so i dont think i will be back with them again. Sponsorship is all about how you present yourself and make yourself stand out from the other thousands of riders that want to be sponsored. Put together a race resume send it out to as many companies as you can see what happens.
the wonginator
12-01-05, 08:23 PM
My first sponsorships were individual ones with component companies that had some ties to my geographic area and/or our regional race series. FINALLY this year I got supported by a local bike shop that has a real commitment to racing as a marketing/exposure tool. Everyone's advice from previous posts is very good.
I'm going to make a shameless plug here and encourage you to read the article I wrote in the Nov. issue of Mountain Bike Action magazine (how it got published is a whole 'nuther story) entitled "How to Get Sponsored." I tried to lay out in concise form what has worked for me. Good luck!
oh jeez, that's you? how do you like that fork? and where did you get it :|
oh jeez, that's you? how do you like that fork? and where did you get it :|
I love the fork. It's an '05 8" travel RST Sigma. I have had two of these. My '04 had an air assist cap in one leg; the '05 got 'em in both legs. A little more bottom-out insurance (though I've never, ever felt them bottom). Very plush. Damping is in an o-ring sealed cartridge in the right leg. The only 'oil' the fork seals have to hold back is the fork grease. Beefy 36 mm stanchions = no flex whatsoever.
RST downhill forks are very hard to come by in the U.S. They're spec'd a bit on bikes in Europe. I've been getting mine straight from RST factory (one time got one unbadged right out of R&D). I got on board with them back when their North American distributorship was in Fife, WA. Only U.S. presence they have anymore is their warranty center in SoCal.
the wonginator
12-04-05, 01:58 PM
thats cool. i know you're a DH guy but have you tried their new Space line?
(how DID you get your article in MBA?)
Don't know anything about the Space from personal use. But from the specs, the Jump model looks very similar in construction to the Rapide Hill dual crown - - which I do have experience with. There are 3 models of Space - - Jump, Transfer and Free - - stick with the Jump. It's got 36 mm stanchions: that means it should be mega-stout (about the only thing out there with fatter stanchions are the 40mm dual crown Fox DH forks). Damping will be in a right-leg cartridge, air caps both sides. I never experienced flex with my Rapide. Weight of the Space Jump is 4.4 lbs.; travel is 5.1" - not bad in my book. It looks to be an updated/improved version of the old single crown Alfalfa.
How my article got published was unreal. I'd had the ideas floating around in my brain - -stuff I'd gleaned from personal experiences and a couple things I'd learned from others - - but never put down on paper. After a year or more of thinking "I should do this", I finally did. When I got done, I had more info than I expected. So, I thought "why not e-mail this to MBA?" After I finally found an e-mail address to send it to, I figured it was off to the black hole of oblivion. At most, I thought part of it might end up in their on-line letters-to-the-editor. Instead, about one hour after I sent it off, I got a personal e-mail from Jimmy Mac, the Editor, saying he was blown away by it and would I like to do an interview/send some piuctures, etc. to go in the magazine? Would I! The rest was a couple of months of back-and-forth e-mails and a couple phone conversations. Great guy!
I've got to put in a plug here for Jonathan Lomber, the photog. He's a race photographer (and downhiller himself) who was shooting at our local races. He agreed to come up to Spokane from Moscow, Idaho a couple times to get the pictures that went in the article - - free of charge, for the chance to get exposure in the magazine. He really went above and beyond for me.
dirtbikedude
12-05-05, 07:32 PM
You can always try this place Sponsor House (http://www.sponsorhouse.com/index.php)
DBD:beer:
OK, I'll bite. There've been a few references to Sponsorhouse. A great resource with a good track record. I had one of their free accounts back when they were first moving over into mountain biking (I think they started in motorsports, didn't they?). Of course, the goal is to get you to pay money to do your work for you.
Since I was trying to afford racing, this seemed mildly counterproductive. I'm not knocking them. I'll repeat this so I don't get jumped: I'm not knocking them. These folks I'm sure work for your money. Getting sponsors and working at keeping them and justifying their investment in you is work. It takes a lot of time and care. I work on it year-'round. I think of ways to help and be more valuable to them. But I enjoy doing it. If you don't enjoy doing that sort of thing or if you're not confident in your communication skills, or if you're just too darned busy, having someone else manage it is a good way to go.
I just kind of opened up the can of worms by saying that if you can't lay out $119 a year (I work hard to avoid paying $119 for a $119 part, so why should this be any different?), it IS possible to do it yourself and get results. That's all.
zeddybear
12-06-05, 08:34 AM
Doug,
Thanks for your article. I read it ant went out and got sponsored by 661 and another large bike company that I will hear from today. I alrady had to turn down one ofer because it wsn't as good as another.
thanks
Doug,
Thanks for your article. I read it and went out and got sponsored by 661 and another large bike company that I will hear from today. I already had to turn down one offer because it wsn't as good as another.
thanks
Glad it helped. 661 is awesome; and Laura is the best - - a great person to work with.
By the way, if you don't have a 'thing' against mail-order cos., Price Point does individual sponsorships. I was offered one season before last, but ended up having to pass because I got on with a LBS.
Just picked up a sunglasses sponsor yesterday. Optic Nerve (www.nerveusa.com) is going to provide me with product for the 2006 season. I have had sponsors that gave me product at pro deals or at other discounts before but this is the first time I am actually receiving free goodies from a company. I'm pretty excited about it. :D
Just picked up a sunglasses sponsor yesterday. Optic Nerve (www.nerveusa.com) is going to provide me with product for the 2006 season. I have had sponsors that gave me product at pro deals or at other discounts before but this is the first time I am actually receiving free goodies from a company. I'm pretty excited about it. :D
Very cool! Congrats. Similar thing happened to me with Dirty Dog (http://www.dirtydog.com) last year. They had a post on this forum looking to sponsor mountain bike racers (their forte had been water and beach sports). Sent in my stuff and they sent a box with 3 pair of glasses and a pair of moto goggles. Awesome folks!
Just checked my e-mail and found a suprise. I had an e-mail from Maxxis. Looks like I will be using their tires next season. :D
Shoot, just found out that I have to turn down Maxxis. :( Our team is sponsored by Kenda so I have to use those. I really like the Kenda tires so this should still end up working out pretty well for me.
Hey, congrats on getting it, though. Maxxis (http://www.maxxis.com/products/bicycle/overview.asp) is a tough nut to crack.
I tried last year and got shot down. Then I must have got my e-mail the same day you did that I been accepted this year. Now I'm in a similar dilemma, though. Turns out Syncros (http://www.syncros.com/tires.htm) has their own line of tires and tubes; so I have to wait and see what they are actually going to offer to find out if there's going to be a 'competing product' conflict.
Really want a set of Mobsters :D
koine2002
12-19-05, 10:53 AM
I don't race, but KHS has a race sponsorship program for the new and upcoming racers. You'll probably need a season under your belt as it requires a racing resume, among other things. You'll get over 40% off of a bike and free uniforms, as well as other incentives/discounts. Check it out at their website (http://www.khsbicycles.com/CC_racer_home.htm). If I were 10 years younger and not having to travel the globe, I'd go for it, it's a great program.
I don't race, but KHS has a race sponsorship program for the new and upcoming racers. You'll probably need a season under your belt as it requires a racing resume, among other things. You'll get over 40% off of a bike and free uniforms, as well as other incentives/discounts. Check it out at their website (http://www.khsbicycles.com/CC_racer_home.htm). If I were 10 years younger and not having to travel the globe, I'd go for it, it's a great program.
Thanks for the information, probably beneficial to quite a few people. Most companies offer the same type of grass roots sponsorship. Just send the companies an e-mail or talk to your local shop. The only problem is that most companies have already quit accepting applications for the 2006 season. Most of them have a cut off around mid November.
Hey, congrats on getting it, though. Maxxis (http://www.maxxis.com/products/bicycle/overview.asp) is a tough nut to crack.
I tried last year and got shot down. Then I must have got my e-mail the same day you did that I been accepted this year. Now I'm in a similar dilemma, though. Turns out Syncros (http://www.syncros.com/tires.htm) has their own line of tires and tubes; so I have to wait and see what they are actually going to offer to find out if there's going to be a 'competing product' conflict.
Really want a set of Mobsters :D
I was looking forward to trying out the new CrossMark eXC-fold 26x2.10 tires. They look like they have a nice tread pattern. Most of their tires are really nice however they are generally on the heavy side as well. Hopefully I will have better luck with my next set of Kenda tires. I am using the Karma DTC's and I am having trouble getting the rear tire to get a 100% seal using Stan's. The front tire is fine though. I really hope I can get them to work because they are awesome tires.
dminor - What all sponsor's do you have for 2006?
dminor - What all sponsor's do you have for 2006?
Well, here's the tally now:
Bicycle Butler (http://www.bicyclebutler.com) (my LBS) out of Spokane, WA; RST (http://www.rst.com.tw); SixSixOne (http://www.vsportgroup.com);
Dirty Dog Eyewear (http://www.dirtydog.com); Silver Mountain Resort (http://www.silvermt.com) (Ski/Mtn. bike resort in Kellogg, ID); Syncros (http://www.syncros.com); and Maxxis (http://www.maxxis.com).
I did not apply to Yeti (http://www.yeticycles.com) this year, as I'm planning to squeeze one more season out of my ASX. The 303 is very cool; but even at pro pricing; I can't swing it (why I went with the ASX to begin with). For anyone out there, though, Yeti has a great Grassroots program and Yeti is 100% committed to racing as a marketing tool, so they get it. I highly recommend them.
Very cool. I have quite a few through my race team, all of the details will be released within the next couple of weeks. Only ones I know for sure are Kenda, Crank Brothers, and Rudy Project.
As of right now I have Dive Tech & Sports (http://www.divetechandsports.com) (my LBS), http://www.ducksproducts.com/ (Ducks) (small family business), and Optic Nerve (http://www.nerveusa.com/opticnerve.php?) as personal sponsors. I get cost or employee purchase thru the bike shop and Duck's pays all of my entry fees. Optic Nerve will be providing me with glasses.
I have applied for a couple of others but haven't heard anything. I would love to get Clif Bar or Cytomax but probably won't happen. I also would have had Maxxis but ya know how that goes. :o
I don't really have much of a reason to apply to any bike manufacturers. I can get most of them at employee purchase pricing anyway so I would rather someone else received the opportunity for those. Plus I bought two new Ellsworth's last year, a hardtail and a full suspension so I doubt I will have the need to buy a new frame this coming season.
Now I am hoping to move up to expert for the 2007 season, I may seek out some more sponsorship when that happens.
I have applied for a couple of others but haven't heard anything. I would love to get Clif Bar or Cytomax but probably won't happen.
Yeah, I'm hoping for Clif too. Could use a supply of ClifShots and such. Hey, don't give up on them yet. I checked back in my e-mail archives and I didn't get last year's rejection until well into April, so there's always hope.
I don't really have much of a reason to apply to any bike manufacturers.
I was throwing that out mostly for the other folks reading. BTW, I followed the KHS link that koine2002 posted too, and it's a most-interesting program.
That's cool that you have someone covering your entry fees. That's the big one that has still eluded me - - that and the travel-and-lodging thing. I keep working on that hoping to be able afford to hit more Nationals.
That's cool that you have someone covering your entry fees. That's the big one that has still eluded me - - that and the travel-and-lodging thing. I keep working on that hoping to be able afford to hit more Nationals.
Well it helps that the small business is owned by my family. :D That is all the money I hit the business up for though, nothing for the bikes or anything like that. We also donate a few prizes to some of the local races.
Just got my "thanks-but-no-thanks" rejection e-mail from PowerBar late yesterday. Oh well . . .
Hey LowCel, have you heard anything out of ClifBar yet?
Nope, not yet. I am hoping to hear something though. I just ordered another box of clifshots a few days ago. They discontinued one of my favoite products, the 16 serving clif shot that I use to fill up my flask. Now I have to squeeze a bunch of the individual clif shots into the flask, it's sort of a pain in the butt, still easier than trying to grab a shot, open it up, then put the wrapper in my pocket though.
I forgot to tell you that I picked up a personal sponsorship from Kenda as well. I will definately be using this one. I hated to have to turn down Maxxis.
BTW, have two road races this weekend. Looks like my season is starting a bit early.
Now I have to squeeze a bunch of the individual clif shots into the flask, it's sort of a pain in the butt, still easier than trying to grab a shot, open it up, then put the wrapper in my pocket though.I'd never thought about the used-packet issue before I'd read some other forum posts on the topic. Not to mention goopy spent packs in the pocket. I put my fertile (and way-too-idle) mind to your conundrum and came up with THIS (http://www.lifehome.com/products/8122.asp) (<click) little gem on the web. Maybe that little gizmo would speed the process.
I forgot to tell you that I picked up a personal sponsorship from Kenda as well. I will definitely be using this one. I hated to have to turn down Maxxis.Very cool. I'm probably not supposed to say this now, but I've always liked Kendas. First pair I ever bought were Kinetics. I'm going to turn in my Maxxis order next week for my Minion DHs and some High Rollers. While I'm at it, I want to oufit my XC hardtail. Which Maxxis tire do you recommend that would be equivalent to the IRC Mythos XCs that I put on my son's bike last year for racing? Those worked really well for me.
And good luck to you on your races http://aimcomm.com/users/dminor/images/thumb.gif !
That's a pretty cool little gismo. I may have to try it out. As for the tires I
really don't have any experience with them. I was looking forward to trying them out though. There is a new tire coming out for 2006 called the CrossMark eXC-fold 26x2.10 tires. I would like to try it out sometime. It looks like a great cross country tire. I'm not sure about the durability though since it is pretty light.
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