I'm not a pro racer. I race C 16-24 on a 250EX, but am fairly competetive to other guys. I've never won a race: my average finishes this year (which is my first year of racing) is 8th so far. However, I'm sponsored by some pretty big companies. Why? Because I put myself out there! I joined
Hookit.com | Action Sports Community for Motocross, Skate, BMX, Surf, Snow, Bike and More. This is where you want to go to get sponsored. You basicly go on there and make a profile: you can post events, results, pics videos, do self interviews, answer questions, tons of stuff! Then you can apply for sponsorship to companies from GoPro to Team AE (R/C cars)! Not every ATV company is on there, but that's where you can also make a resume. Tell some things about yourself such as results, future plans for racing, jobs (past, recent, and future), etc. Whether on hookit or when making a resume use good grammar and typing. DOnt b tipi LiKE 'dis or day ain't gona akcept ya! Everybody makes a typo once in a while, but that's pathetic...
In my opinion, when you're sponsored by a company you're a representative of that company. By supporting them they support you with discounts on products, or even free stuff. This another reason to use good grammar. Most companies will feel that if you're not willing to take the time to type right you're not going to do a very good job of representing them. And what companies do you think will give somebody discounts (or free stuff) to somebody who gives them hardly any to no support? When you find one let me know...
Don't be afraid to apply to big companies. I applied to FLUID, a company that makes recovery drinks (and recently made $1 million in one day at an expo). They accepted me because they felt I would give them lots support. I told them how I workout on a regular basis and would like to try these drinks. I'm glad I did. My other sponsor from hookit.com is SteelMX Optics. They make goggles, sunglasses, grips, etc. They actually found
me. One thing I put in my self interview was a short story of my eye issues. At the end I put "So wear your goggles!" I guess SteelMX saw this and thought, "Hey, this guy is gonna wear goggles whenever he rides, let's give him discounts on stuff!" See what I mean. Put yourself out there!
I've applied to other companies but with no response. I recently applied to one, and knew that most likely they would say no. But, I figured what do I have to lose other than the time it took me to ask them? Nothing! If they say no, it doesn't mean anything terrible. And it doesn't mean that they won't accept you in the future! I will give you a tip, though. Sometimes when companies don't accept you they'll give you a spill saying something like this. "Thanks for your interest in us. However, we're not looking to sponsor anybody else right now... come back in a few years and we'll see then." What they're really saying is "Thanks, but you're not good enough. When you get to racing better then maybe we'll accept you." Again don't take it personal, I'm just telling this because I've experienced it myself. Look at it as a goal to make yourself a better racer so that maybe one day they'll come to
you asking for your sponsorship.
Another thing to consider is making videos. I was recently found by indigoracer.com on youtube. I'm now sponsored by this online store. I'll be putting my sponsors' logos in my videos from now, instead of just their website names. To support my sponsors I put stickers on my quad and gear, put their names in every video I make, and mention their names whenever I can. Places like here and other online forums are great! You see my sponsors in my signature, and I announce every time I get a new one. Some companies will upgrade your discounts if they think you're giving them enough support. Some will make you go back and pay full price for everything you bought in the past if they think you're not giving them enough support.
Again, don't be afraid to put yourself out there! I hope this helps some of you get sponsored, because it's an honor to be sponsored by big, and even small, companies. Some people have told me "It's just another way to sell stuff. They're just using you". That's not true. Sure, they're sponsoring you because they feel they will get more customers. But, again it's an honor to represent companies by doing what we love to do! If you have any questions ask me. I'll try to answer them the best I can. Good luck! Now go get sponsored!
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