What should I be expecting from sponsorships?

[High Speed Industries]

Before I go into any detail or questions let me explain something. I'm not trying to step on anybody's toes and in no way is this directed to any of my current sponsors. This is more of what I should be expecting for next season and what I should maybe try and ask for. I'm just looking for input from my fellow riders just so I can see where I'm at.

Now that the racing season is pretty much over and my sponsorship deals are coming to and end I have decided that I need to start looking into who I would like to sponsor me for next season. Right now I am in the process of making a resume to send out when I apply for a sponsorship so that way the company already knows my accomplishments and future goals. This last season was my very first season of racing and my very first season on my 2008 Yamaha super jet. I actually don't even have a full season on my ski yet, I didn't finish it until the beginning of April.

Here is a list of my accomplishments from last season.
Attended the Pismo Beach Spring Break Freeride (not a competition, but it's still a great place to promote sponsors)
3rd place RPM Lake Elsinore race (region 1)
2nd Place RPM Lake Perris race (region 1)
3rd Place Blowsion Surf Slam motosurf race (pro/am class)
5th Place Browsion Surf Slam Freeride contest (am class)
18th Place IJSBA world finals novice ski ltd (had the wrong prop for the course)
8th Place IJSBA world finals vintage 550
Attended the Pismo Beach JK Freeride (not a competition, but a good place to promote)

Here is a list of what I plan to do next year
Race the Mark Hahn 300
Attend the Pismo Beach Spring Break Freeride
Race at least one class at every region 1 race
Race motosurf and compete in freeride at the Blowsion Surfslam
Race at least one class at the IJSBA world finals
Possibly attend the Pismo Beach JK Freeride (depends on my school schedule)

Now with all of that explained I would like to think I did pretty good for my first year of competing. What I would really like to know is what should I be asking from sponsors for next year? I know every sponsorship deal varies from company to company along with how big of a logo you have on your ski. I also know that how well you promote a company's can make a big difference on what the rider will receive. I currently promote my sponsors on here and on my facebook page along with in person at events. Next year I plan to have my own website where I can promote my sponsors even more along with some product reviews. I'll also have an canopy setup at every event with a banner that has all of my sponsors logos and I'll hand out free stickers when I have them.

In the end I would just like to know what are some reasonable things to ask for?
Should they be paying my race entry fees? (I paid $1,280 in race entry fees last year)
Should they be helping pay for hotel rooms?
Should they be helping me pay for gas to get to these events?

I know for the most part sponsors usually give you free or heavily discounted products, I'm just wondering if I should be getting more. I know that I am not a pro level rider and I will never make a living at this sport, but I wouldn't be opposed to some gas money or some paid entry fees. Being a student and all really makes it difficult to attend some of these races and that is usually why I always have parts for sale. My parts fund the majority of my racing. So let me know what you guys think. My current sponsors have been really good to me this year and I couldn't have done that list of accomplishments without them. I hope to get some decent input from this thread.
Thanks,
Joey (rdrttoy)

 

[Big Kahuna]

Very well thought out questions....... See is Sponsorhouse is still around, Picked up some good sponsors there years ago..... But all were just discounted materials........

Getting any kind of cash out of sponsors is hard now, you might find some from some Mom and Pop type local businesses, I got a few construction companies to help out with some cash. It really helped..... One thing you can do is see if your promoter would let you work on Fridays setting up....... comp entry fees. Keeps cash in his pocket, he actually comes out ahead many times..... You may also help with the Band on race days.

 

[CRJ]

helping with things like fuel, fees and transport is important, and are things you should discuss with the sponsor. usually you can work a deal where they pay a percentage of the cost, or something along that line. they want advertisement at the best rate possible, you want the most value for your space. its harder to do when you attend 5 events, vs the many run around the country, but i understand that with school and costs involved. really, asking for something is the best way to get a response. if its not brought to the table, it cant be considered. even deals where you travel with the team or sponsor to the event could help you out. dont be over the top with your requests, but if a company was willing to cover entry costs, id say thats a fair trade off for a main sponsor when your on a limited number of events.

 

[High Speed Industries]

Maybe I'll talk to my promoter to see what I can do. I never even considered that before. Thanks for the idea BK.

I know I'm not catching all of the national circuit races or anything, but I'm just wondering if it would be feasible to expect sponsors to put up some money to help pay for my expenses. I won't expect anyone to pay 100% of anything, but would you think I could get some sort of help at my skill level? I thought my results were pretty good for my first year of racing. Just not sure if I'm really thinking of realistic goals.
Thanks for the input guys.

 

[IceRocket1286]

I remember being part of a conversation about this topic in 2004 when I started racing. Remember it is about what you can do for your sponsors, not what they can do for you. Sponsors expect you to promote their products in a positive light and attend events which you seem to have done properly. What are some other huge things that most people overlook when looking for sponsorships? The way they present themselves at races. I believe this is a huge part of gaining and retaining sponsors.

Do you swear? Drink a bunch of beer at night and stay up too late? Do you help others regularly? Be it holding, fetching a ski for someone or helping someone get their boat started when it is dead on the line? Do you show up to the pits and make a mess for others to clean up after the weekend has passed? When you're driving down the road to practice or to a race, do passerby's see your sponsors stickers on your ski/trailer/truck? Don't be driving irresponsibly or throwing trash out the window or participating in road rage. People will associate your driving/trash throwing with what you have advertised on your ski and it will leave a bad taste in their mouth. Do not walk around and bad talk others or their sponsors. Do you chew? Keep it to yourself. Don't walk around spitting everywhere. If you see someone else acting irresponsibly, do something about it.

Don't be afraid to jump in and help out the Juniors. Talk with them and their folks, ride with them, give them pointers. Give them some of the free stuff or discounted stuff that you receive. Help pull the score tower in on sunday night and sit on the buoys to deflate them. Give your promoter a hand.

As far as sponsors paying for entry fees, fuel, hotel etc, I wouldn't hold my breath. Who gets entry fee's paid for? Rob Flores, Dustin Farthing, Chris MacClugage etc because without big names nobody will show up. Its not impossible but it isn't very common to have sponsors pick up the big ticket items, especially now that racing is more or less dead.

Just keep working hard and put up good numbers. Be a good person and the rest will fall into place....and pray to hit the lotto.

 

[Twinturbostang]

Todd takes care of all our riders and this is why we have a contract with all our riders. So you know what you are getting. Not to say we don't go above and beyond that will for riders and other pros who want to Rock Rad Dudes products.
Our program is very easy, huge discounts to make the sport do able for our riders. Full support at the events where we are there. and we have been know the supply oil, entry fees and other above and beyond for our above and beyond guys and gals.

Keep in mind the "Pros" in this sport aren't just walking around getting everything for free. This isn't the moto world, or auto, or just about any other sport where pros can make a good living at it. Its a small tight group of venders and riders that help and support this great sport and hobby we all have.

And you know you can sleep on the floor in our hotel room anytime you want. LOL

 

[ProSouth]

And you know you can sleep on the floor in our hotel room anytime you want. LOL

i know what i want to be when i grow up, a rad dudes rider.

i would think in this sport, take what you can get. as twinturbo said, this sport isnt slap full of "handouts". im no pro rider, or sponsored rider, this is just my perspective from being an average joe.

 

[High Speed Industries]

@IceRocket
I know there are two sided to sponsorship deals, it's not all about the rider, without the companies we wouldn't have anything to ride. I'd like to think that I do a good job of promoting my sponsors. I raced BMX for 10 years and I had many sponsors that paid for my race fees, flights, room ect. I know you need to act professional if you are going to promote somebody. I don't swear and I try to help out people when I can, I lend my tools and tote out all the time. (it turns out that is a really good way to meet new friends) No partying for me and the only late nights I have at the races are when I'm fixing a ski. I try to help people when I can, you can't get anywhere in any sport if you don't help each other out. A good example at was world finals, a fellow 550 racer blew up his ski the week before finals and he barely got it back together so he could race. When he got to finals his ski wouldn't run at all. He kept saying it was an ignition problem. I guess he was messing with it all week and couldn't get it to run, he basically accepted the fact that he could not race. I met up with him on Sunday (race day) and tried to diagnose his problem. I determined that it was his carb, he said he switched carbs when the motor was built. I got the ski running a spend a few hours of the morning tuning his ski. Somehow we were lucky enough to get his ski dialed in an tech'd so he could race. I think he even finished top 10. I was really glad I could help and I was happy to see him on the starting line. Another good example is that I brought down a few tables and chairs (actually everything that I owned) for the Rad Dudes during world finals. These were used at their booth in vendor alley. I was glad to help them too, they live on the other side of the country and I live a little less than 2 hours from Havasu. It was no big deal for me and I was glad I could help them out. As far as other promotional things go I do have all of my sponsor logo's on my ski, truck, trailer, beach tote, and even on the binder that I use for school. If I don't support them they won't support me. Last year I helped my promotor out quite a bit. I usually helped with setup or tear down at every race and I even donated a big buoy (lucky enough to find it on craigslist for a decent deal) I figured it would be put to good use if my promoter had it. No matter what happens I will keep racing, or at least I will do what I can afford. Sponsors just happen to make things a little bit easier and I'm thankful for all the sponsors that I currently have. Maybe praying to hit the lotto is a good idea but our state doesn't have have the lotto so I think I'm out of luck.
@Twinturbostang
I read the the rider contract before I did anything, you guys gave me a chance before I even had a jet ski racing background and I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. It all really means a lot to me. I know this sport is very small and I don't really expect anything for free. I actually don't know what to expect at all, thats why I posted this thread. I wanted to know if I should be expecting some help with entry fees and what not. If I ever get enough money to make it to some east coast events I might take up your offer on the floor. The floor in somebody else's room is better than no room at all.
@prosouth
I think everyone wants to be a rad dudes rider when they grow up. I know there aren't many handouts in our sport and I appreciate everything I've gotten so far. I'm just trying to see if paid entry fees or even partially paid entry fees were possible at my skill level.

 

[SuperJETT]

I was sponsored by a local Polaris dealership for 2 seasons. I showed my ski at events for them such as demo rides and their booth at the state fair which I helped man as well, plus went on a huge group ATV ride they were demoing 4-wheelers at. In return I got to buy Polaris parts at cost and White Brothers/etc catalog parts at cost+10% which really helped out. It worked both ways but they eventually shut down due to co-owner conflicts. I almost bought an Octane because of that deal but am glad I didn't. It was pretty cool painting my ski red/black Polaris colors plus some oem SLX1200 graphics then having the Octane come out and look very similar.

 

[High Speed Industries]

That sounds like you had an awesome deal going. With the economy the way it is I don't think a deal like that would be very possible for me. The dealers in my area aren't into jet skis at all. Our local lake has banned two strokes and that has really killed off the sport. Hell half of the time when I go into a dealer they go "they still make those things?" So I'm forced to do pretty much everything over the Internet which is nice because I can get sponsors from all over the world, but the huge downside is that I almost never get to see my sponsors in person. Hopefully in the next few years I'll move to a more jet ski friendly area.

 

[SuperJETT]

I forgot to mention that they covered my paint/materials to paint/sticker my ski, around $250 with me doing it myself.

 

[10mm]

I remember being part of a conversation about this topic in 2004 when I started racing. Remember it is about what you can do for your sponsors, not what they can do for you. Sponsors expect you to promote their products in a positive light and attend events which you seem to have done properly. What are some other huge things that most people overlook when looking for sponsorships? The way they present themselves at races. I believe this is a huge part of gaining and retaining sponsors.

Do you swear? Drink a bunch of beer at night and stay up too late? Do you help others regularly? Be it holding, fetching a ski for someone or helping someone get their boat started when it is dead on the line? Do you show up to the pits and make a mess for others to clean up after the weekend has passed? When you're driving down the road to practice or to a race, do passerby's see your sponsors stickers on your ski/trailer/truck? Don't be driving irresponsibly or throwing trash out the window or participating in road rage. People will associate your driving/trash throwing with what you have advertised on your ski and it will leave a bad taste in their mouth. Do not walk around and bad talk others or their sponsors. Do you chew? Keep it to yourself. Don't walk around spitting everywhere. If you see someone else acting irresponsibly, do something about it.

Don't be afraid to jump in and help out the Juniors. Talk with them and their folks, ride with them, give them pointers. Give them some of the free stuff or discounted stuff that you receive. Help pull the score tower in on sunday night and sit on the buoys to deflate them. Give your promoter a hand.

As far as sponsors paying for entry fees, fuel, hotel etc, I wouldn't hold my breath. Who gets entry fee's paid for? Rob Flores, Dustin Farthing, Chris MacClugage etc because without big names nobody will show up. Its not impossible but it isn't very common to have sponsors pick up the big ticket items, especially now that racing is more or less dead.

Just keep working hard and put up good numbers. Be a good person and the rest will fall into place....and pray to hit the lotto.

This is incredibly smart advice!

 

[standupguy619]

Is that you Joey?

 

[High Speed Industries]

Is that you Joey?

It might be. Lol

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

Just thinking how I would wheel and deal if I were in your shoes. Why don't you try and become a store on wheels for these guys, and even ask other companies that arent sponsoring you? Get them to let you buy their stuff for a little over cost as if they were selling to a store so they make a little money, then take the products on the road with you to the races and sell it for a small profit for you. Its a win win. They make money and get the product promoted at the races, and you get to earn some extra cash at the race to help with expenses. Im sure if you ended up helping their product to grow to a certain level, you would be first in mind if they ever started throwing more cash at sponsorships. Oh and like they said above, HAVE MORE CHARACTER THAN ANYONE ELSE AT THE EVENT. represent them in a more positive way than even the company owners would.

 

[High Speed Industries]

Just thinking how I would wheel and deal if I were in your shoes. Why don't you try and become a store on wheels for these guys, and even ask other companies that arent sponsoring you? Get them to let you buy their stuff for a little over cost as if they were selling to a store so they make a little money, then take the products on the road with you to the races and sell it for a small profit for you. Its a win win. They make money and get the product promoted at the races, and you get to earn some extra cash at the race to help with expenses. Im sure if you ended up helping their product to grow to a certain level, you would be first in mind if they ever started throwing more cash at sponsorships. Oh and like they said above, HAVE MORE CHARACTER THAN ANYONE ELSE AT THE EVENT. represent them in a more positive way than even the company owners would.

I've talked about that with a few of my sponsors but we decided against it because it seemed like a hassle. The original plan was to sell tee shirts and some small parts but after thinking about it we decided against it. Both me and my sponsors decided it would be more work than it's worth. I was told they tried it with other riders and it didn't work out. I'm also usually tight on space when we travel to the races. I does sound like a good idea maybe I can find something I can do next year. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

Understandable.

 

[YAMAPRO]

With your experience you would probably be hoping to get discounts on industry products. Anything out of Industry is a free for all, you never know........

 

[woodsrider845]

... and this thread is dead, WHY????


I'm old, I'm tired, but I'll still rep. for what matters. I've caught a few sponsors on 2 wheels, with them knowing I'm old, own a shop, and can't make every race. Discounts count!!!! You wanna pay for me to play???

HELZ YEAH!!!

I'll hold my end, as long as you hold yours. ( Not including when I/You have to pee)

Show me some appreciation , since I show $ to keep my boat afloat, and better than yours.

Dope hull... $$$$$
Dope motor... $$$$$
Dope pole...$$$$
People wanting to be like you.... Priceless $$$$$.


.....but what do I know?