— Mt Uni <forum.member@unicyclist.com> wrote:
> This subject is probably stuck in quite a few peoples minds. Now, I am
> talking about MUni/trials semi-sponsorship. If it is on your thoughts,
> it’s probably a “down the road” priority(spelling). I am curious if
> anyone knows of any bike companies, better yet, frame companies that
> would be up to this, or even just a frame deal.
What’s involved with sponsored riding depends greatly on your level of
sponsorship (ie whether you want to be paid to ride or just get some
discounts at a local bike shop). Here are a few comments based on my
experience with sponsorship:
-
Sponsored riding is a job. You are a public relations professional for
the company. To be successful, it is NOT enough to simply be a skilled
rider. You need to have people skills, business skills, and be able to
interact and speak comfortably in front of a crowd or a camera. You are
a role model, and this is usually at least as important to most
companies (if not more so) than your skills as a rider. -
Sponsorship involves a lot of work. This includes lots of non-riding
work. I spend several hours a week doing stuff related to sponsorship
that doesn’t include riding. -
Companies don’t care if you ride really hard stuff if you do it in the
dark, so to speak. You are sponsored because you are highly visible to
the public in a way that communicates a good image for your sponsor.
This does not involve “showing off for the camera”- you are the
communicator of a positive image that your sponsor wants to be
associated with. -
The best way to approach sponsorship is the same way you’d look for any
other job, except that in this case, you yourself are the product. Make
a resume, prepare a good business plan, and hope that they like you!
Cheers,
Kris.
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