There are some very different techniques for contacting and selling yourself to companies that you wish to get skateboard sponsorship from. These may lend themselves as more useful for specific scenarios and personality types, but they can be versatile as well for getting a skateboard sponsorship. Remember that, although raw skill and talent are important qualities, personality matters just as much, if not more than raw skill when it comes to endearing yourself to any company when you are looking to get skateboard sponsorship!
Be Very Agressive:
This technique can be very dangerous and it should only be attempted by one and only one personality type. Throw away the sponsor package and don’t worry about qualifying yourself or writing a bio or any of that nonsense! Simply pick the company that you desire to get skateboard sponsorship from and harass the hell out of them! Call them every time you see anyone riding one of their boards. Post online about your experiences with the company every chance that you can. Send them pictures or video from every skateboard session you have. Talk about them non-stop to anyone that may even be slightly interested. Go into skateboard shops and tell the owner he should carry their boards and don't stop reminding the shopowner until they start to carry them. Do this at every skate shop you know of, even those out of town... Get copies of the company’s catalog and stickers and pass them out at sessions! If the company host's any events, anywhere, of any size, be there! Show up to every event, bring your board, make a showing and let the company know you did. Post on their social networking site every day and make other people add them as friends. Show up to the factory with other people and smile. If you ever have any reason to talk to them, do it! Call them anytime! If there is an event you think they should be involved in, make sure they are! If there is a product you think they should make, send them drawings! Plaster everything you own with stickers of the company. Inform the company that you have done all this stuff to promote their products!
You get the idea. Be highly visible, active, and dynamic. If you have done all of this and have yet to get punched in the face or having a restraining order filed against you then, congratulations! You will no longer have to wonder "How Do I Get Sponsored As A Skateboarder" because chances are you have a bright future within the company!
The Methodical Approach:
This approach is utilized when you are looking at only one specific company to get skateboard sponsorship. In this case, you need to have as much groundwork laid as possible before you even consider contacting them. A very methodical personality is highly tuned towards this method. Have a very strong sponsorship package ready and, before you even send it to them, start sending them e-mail updates about how your skateboarding is going, what you think of their products, etc… Link to them from your social networking sites and act as a (non-sanctioned) resource when people ask about their boards on forum communities.
If you have any sick photos or videos of yourself, send them links and keep them informed and involved in what you are doing. Show an interest in what the company is doing. Ask about board development, new gear that they will be releasing, and learn all about their technologies. When they sponsor events in your area, attend! Make a list of contacts and who does what. Get well informed about who works for the company and who you need to contact to really promote yourself.
When you feel you are ready, when you’re as close as you can get to the company, ask them that magic question: How Do I Get Sponsored As A Skateboarder? You should also send them a formal letter along with your sponsorship package. In your bio, make the content very concentric to the company you are contacting. Remind them what you have done in the past and let them know what you would be willing to do for them in the future. Include as many concepts you can think of that would allow you to help promote the company. Present yourself as an asset to their business who would do anything for a sponsorship opportunity. When you have done all of this you will surely MAKE MONEY SKATEBOARDING and be on your way to a very successful future!
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