monkey poo Posted August 12, 2004 Report Posted August 12, 2004 anyone who is getting sponsored got any vids to show what they were like when they first got sponsored http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_15_9.gif thanks adam Quote
ewing Posted August 12, 2004 Report Posted August 12, 2004 well, the running joke is that i'm sponsored by visa and mastercard for sports, cars & vacations. just imagine a pretty drunk guy swiping stripes - that's probably about what i looked like when i first started out on my "sponsored summer.":p:D Quote
kitedude Posted August 12, 2004 Report Posted August 12, 2004 thers more to being a sponsered rider thna you think, it s not always the best people who are sponsered. we'd prefer to sponser a sound outgoing average kiter who people will talk too and get more information about the brand. sometimes there just isn't much point in sponsering a very good rider if his personality stinks as he won't really push the brand and encourage people but rather show off and put people down Quote
AliB Posted August 13, 2004 Report Posted August 13, 2004 yep.uve got to talk to people and tell them how good the kites/boards are that you are pimping.:Dlol like in my sig Quote
ShapeShifter Posted August 16, 2004 Report Posted August 16, 2004 yeah but no one reads your sig bob, its way to in yer face.... Pass me the migraleave.... Quote
8015 Posted August 16, 2004 Report Posted August 16, 2004 If you are average find an angle. I've been sponsored and supported on kayaking trips several times, both because I was taking the brand abroad and showing it off to a growing market, and because I had given the company some great slides and promised and gave them more (still need to sort out this years batch). I also happen to think their product is great and I'll always tell people to consider it and give the reasons why, explain the pros and cons and blow away some myths (product in question comes in many grades, shops stock the cheapest, low grade, lot of breakages, brand is tarnished, their top spec you have to custom order is equal to anyone elses and slightly cheaper). So like the guys have said, amazing riding isn't all of it. Yes guys who win comps get sponsored, companies need that advertising - it's not free, they sponsored the rider who was going to be most likely to get his photo (with their logo) in the most places, but it is still cheaper than placing the photo in all those places But that's the point, it's mainly placing the logo, creating brand awareness. Sales reps do this and don't necessarily even know how to use the product - any average kiteboarder can give more in depth info. So what do you do? Are you working with a club, or introducing others to the sport or something? Are you looking to travel round the country, Europe, the World using the kit and letting people know it's there. Are you going to be giving everyone you meet a go on the kit? Can you set up a web page logging your exploits? Maybe a section on the companies website? Whatever you are going to do you need to be raising the profile of the sport, and in particular your sponsors within the sport. Don't write off half hearted, form a proper plan, write it down, make sure it is workable and put yourself forward as a business proposition. As someone said, you will be 'pimping' the kit, you will be working in marketing for the sponsor. You cannot afford to have bad/grumpy days when people want to check the gear out, you need to be able to deal subtly with people that want to just come up and slag your sponsor, or your kit, or you. You have to give something back to the sponsor, it's not about free kit, it's about earning a lifestyle by working in a way that isn't always obvious is working. JIM Quote
monkey poo Posted August 16, 2004 Author Report Posted August 16, 2004 thanks for the advice i now know sponsorship is nt all that good .and i do showing ppl how the kite works and flys and give them a go but not when its to windy i dont think ill be traveling around the country yet cos im only 14 and cant drive Quote
kitedude Posted August 16, 2004 Report Posted August 16, 2004 you don't ,need to be able to drive, you can just kite around the country!!!!!!! Quote
bushflyer Posted August 17, 2004 Report Posted August 17, 2004 adam, you need to get safer before you can move to sponsorship level. and you're too young to drive, but dont let that stop you. been on the water yet? i havent forgotten about you i will visit sunderland again soon enough, if you can keep those two old women at a*rot*erapy at bay Quote
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