[humanhandlebar]

So its that time of year again, dust off the old camera, get everyone together, and start filming resume parts. It always seems like time speeds up when you have a deadline like getting your resume into companies. Anyway, I figured since there isnt really a forum for sponsorship, I would start my own post. Anyone who has sponsorship posts, or wants any help/tips with the sponsorship season, bounce your thoughts through this area. Goodluck to everyone trying to get the bills paid, and even to those people just trying to get a ton of free stuff (we've all been there). Keep at it, you never know what deals will shake out.


Peace

 

[Reactor]

I don't know how it works but you might try sponsorhouse

 

[PsychO!1]

Filming your resume'?

What happened to the good old paper sponsorship proposal??

 

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

I don't know how it works but you might try sponsorhouse

Yeah, peeps, try SponsorHouse! It's really, really easy to use. And don't think you have to be the best rider out there to get sponsored. Most companies want you to represent their company for not just how you ride, but how you act/how you are. Trust me on this one. And ladies, I hear that companies are especially looking for you!

 

[DH Diva]

Yeah, peeps, try SponsorHouse! It's really, really easy to use. And don't think you have to be the best rider out there to get sponsored. Most companies want you to represent their company for not just how you ride, but how you act/how you are. Trust me on this one. And ladies, I hear that companies are especially looking for you!

How much is a sponsorhouse membership these days??

 

[merrrrjig]

I think its like $50, I think its great even though I dont use it, My bro uses it though

 

[bigbirdie]

I have to agree. Sponsorhouse is awsome. I am not the fastest. But I am dedicated to this sport and racing. I got 8 sponsorships for this season. and all of them have given me a ton of support. try it, you have nothing to loose.

 

[humanhandlebar]

Filming your resume'?

What happened to the good old paper sponsorship proposal??


When i said filming my resume i meant filming a short segment to send in to companies. Alot of them are asking for some sort of visual representation. You are right though, there is nothing like a well thought out written representation of your dedication...ation.

 

[pntballpunk51]

I need help writing a formal resume to send out to companies. Should I include a couple pictures? What should the structure look like in a resume (i'm 16 and never have written a resume before)? And what should I talk about?

 

[lovebunny]

talk about what you will bring to the company and about your dedication to the sport. make yourself sound as valuble as possible to that particular company as you can.

 

[humanhandlebar]

I think the thing that most experienced sponsored riders dont understand is that simple words like be yourself, and make yourself valuable, dont really make sense. Im not going to write you out a resume but here are some things I came up with. Tell them about how you got started riding. What things make you love this sport? Where do you think your riding is going? What is YOUR style. Tell them about the sort of influence you have on the riding community around you. They love to hear that you have a big influence on what goes on. They also like to hear that you ride ALOT, and that you ride with other people. Tell them about how you could positively represent their product, and get it the exposure it deserves. Include in your resume any results you have in any competitions you have competed in. Overall, imagine you were starting your own buisness and wanted to get your name out. You are deciding to give out a bunch of t-shirts to people to wear. Who do you want those t-shirts being worn by? Some hobo on the corner, or a respectable citizen,with a respectable job, who people like being with?

 

[Transcend]

If you are looking for a race sponsorship, don't bother with video. They don't care, don't have time to watch it, and it will probably just end up in the trash.

If you want some fancy freehucker sponsorship and you can 360 a road gap, then by all means send it in. (but in that case, they already know about you).

Just so you know, my race team package that went out was 5 pages long, included all the info they will ever need to know and the only "no thanks" we ever received was from Under Armour (we weren't a ball sport...no kiddin?).

It included cycling demographics, diff levels of sponsorship and their benefits, team history, top results etc. This was obviously for the benefit of out of industry sponsors on a team level. There is no reason for a personal proposal to be longer then 3 pages MAX.

Look up how to write a proper business proposal, you will get some very decent ideas. BRIEF cover letter explaining how you can benefit them through sponsorship, 2 seasons results, and that's it.

And I mean BRIEF. Under 1 page properly formatted (addresses, dates etc) Mention your grades (good grades WILL help for younger riders), make sure you are clear and concise, have it proofread by a teacher or professor etc. I can tell you that personally, any resume I get that seems sloppy, thrown together or just plain incomprehensible will be thrown out instantly, no matter their results. I am not putting together a world cup team, but a team to garner my business and my sponsors publicity.

 

[buildyourown]

If you are looking for a race sponsorship, don't bother with video. They don't care, don't have time to watch it, and it will probably just end up in the trash.

I disagree. I've seen some well edited videos posted on team sites. If you send your contact at the company a link, they will probably watch it. Done right, I think this can only help.
Companies like seeing you in action. If you have a video of you racing and and being a good rep for a product, they will see some value in supporting you.

 

[Transcend]

I disagree. I've seen some well edited videos posted on team sites. If you send your contact at the company a link, they will probably watch it. Done right, I think this can only help.
Companies like seeing you in action. If you have a video of you racing and and being a good rep for a product, they will see some value in supporting you.

I can tell you from experience, from both talking to sponsorship reps at companies and working as a team manager - they rarelt take the time to look.

If the resume was on the computer and all they had to do was click a link and watch a 30 sec video...perhaps, but even then it will be rare.

 

[bikenweed]

In my ten years of riding, I've learned that the best sponsors will find a way to come to you. I tried soliciting my resume last year, and the only offers I got were simply "pro deal". I worked at a shop, so these "deals" were actually more $$$$ than cost plus 10%, thus pointless.

Now that I've got some great results from Semi-pro DH, I'm still even wondering if it's worth sending out my resume. I don't simply want a "pro deal", because I already have two killer bikes. (although my four week old downhill bike just cracked in two places today, and it's one of the best DH bikes available) The only deal that would even be worth going through with would at least include free bikes. Then I could sell my old bikes, and buy a car or a truck, something I can't even come close to affording right now. With a reliable vehicle, I could get to even more races and group rides, thus promoting the sponsor's brand more, and intereacting with more riders.

So, in my quest to get a REAL bike sponsor, which I haven't completely given up on, should I snail mail, e-mail, or simply call companies? And are there any companies left these days that will give me a frame or two? Companies that make good, high quality race bikes? I have results, but they are only in semi-pro. Upgrading to pro is a strong possibility, but experience is a good thing, and it wouldn't hurt to have two years of good semi-pro results. What do you sponsored, even more experienced folks think? Thanks.

 

[Transcend]

In my ten years of riding, I've learned that the best sponsors will find a way to come to you. I tried soliciting my resume last year, and the only offers I got were simply "pro deal". I worked at a shop, so these "deals" were actually more $$$$ than cost plus 10%, thus pointless.

Now that I've got some great results from Semi-pro DH, I'm still even wondering if it's worth sending out my resume. I don't simply want a "pro deal", because I already have two killer bikes. (although my four week old downhill bike just cracked in two places today, and it's one of the best DH bikes available) The only deal that would even be worth going through with would at least include free bikes. Then I could sell my old bikes, and buy a car or a truck, something I can't even come close to affording right now. With a reliable vehicle, I could get to even more races and group rides, thus promoting the sponsor's brand more, and intereacting with more riders.

So, in my quest to get a REAL bike sponsor, which I haven't completely given up on, should I snail mail, e-mail, or simply call companies? And are there any companies left these days that will give me a frame or two? Companies that make good, high quality race bikes? I have results, but they are only in semi-pro. Upgrading to pro is a strong possibility, but experience is a good thing, and it wouldn't hurt to have two years of good semi-pro results. What do you sponsored, even more experienced folks think? Thanks.

If you have top semi pro results, are personable, well spoken, clean cut and the like, you should have no problem getting deals that are well WELL beyond cost = 10%; I can assure you of this.

What most people do not grasp, is that you need to approach the resume and letter writing much as you would a business proposal. Short , clear, concise and must hold absolutely everything the sponsor might want to know (in under 2-3 pages).

Do not use bizarre sized or colored paper or any of that nonsense. Make sure it is well written, proofread the hell out of it and send it off. I can almost guarantee if you follow those steps you are look at AT LEAST cost -15% or 20% if you have decent results.

Getting free bikes..good luck. Many top name pros cannot get deals right now, I would be happy if you can get a top level DH bike 20 % off cost. Then youc an easily sell it at the end of the season for cost, make a few hundred bucks, but a new bike and be happy.

Companies are no longer interested in stoners, morons and guys who cannot hold a decent conversation. They do not want prima donnas (especially if you aren't winning world cups), and they don't want guys who when asked how their bike is say "bro, it's so awesome. SOOOO plush". They want someone who can discuss it in an educated manner that may help a protential customer become an actual customer.

 

[lovebunny]

man this thread has tonsa info in it. i hope others are keeping notes of this like i am

 

[odiwik]

This thread was a lot of help in starting to get our team's application together. The Washington State University and University of Idaho (WSUI) team will be sending applications off within the next few months for next season.

Sponsorhouse just opened for team sponsor packages; they were looking for $499.99 to purchase a team sponsorship package with over 25 people on it. Unfortunately, as a grassroots college team, we just don't have anywhere near the funds for that.

I wonder of Sponsorhouse.com takes sponsorship applications... We'll see what happens with that one, just for fun!

Ben

 

[mack]

I need a sponsor, but ive only done three races so i doubt i would be able to pick any one up. But damn, im going through tires and brake pads allot.

If i worked in a sponsor department i would totally watch the videos. It beats cleaning bikes.