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Tips on how to get sponsored.

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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
I'm thinking of trying to get sponsored next season and want tI know some tips and tricks/ ways how tiger sponsored. Any opinion/help I can get would be much appreciated. Thx!
Jun 18 2013 12:52AM
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Holte
Posts: 10742 - Karma: 7,819
The only fast track to getting sponsors is to win competitions.
Probably not what you were hoping to hear, but it's the truth. Get out there and compete.
Jun 18 2013 12:55AM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
Thx man. Ya I've heard that this is a good way although there are 0 competitions in my area and I cannot afford a trip out to where Amy competitions are.
Jun 18 2013 12:58AM
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ALMIGHTYSOSA
Posts: 2800 - Karma: 2,102
be good at skiing. train hard, and stay away from that water stuff.
Jun 18 2013 1:08AM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,223
Or just go out and ski for fun and just generally be stoked. That works too
Jun 18 2013 1:26AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
this thread sucks. why are people not being mean.
Jun 18 2013 1:27AM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,223
I was trying to be condescending if that counts
Jun 18 2013 1:28AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13118 - Karma: 19,082
this is the most asked question on NS. I always laugh when I see it.


Then OP vanishes and never follows up on his thread
Jun 18 2013 2:30AM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
ski and get better. most people who make these threads arent good enough to be sponsored. once you get good and start to make a reputation for yourself around your mountain, companies will start to notice.

also its like a job. you should be telling the company what you can do for it. give them a reason to be giving you free gear. also, you cant just get a sponsor and they keep giving you gear. think of it like getting paid to work. they are giving you gear in exchange for you putting out edits, winning comps (if thats your thing) and to generate interest in the company. a lot of the time, they would rather sponsor a skier who people know and like, that people trust, and can generate interest in the company, than a person who is better at skiing, but is a complete asshole to people at the mountain and who nobody likes and would want to support.
Jun 18 2013 2:40AM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
Op, u suck. u r dumb.
Jun 18 2013 3:04AM
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scarsimd
Posts: 668 - Karma: 773
sponsors are for pussies. ski for enjoyment not to get free stuff.


pussy.
Jun 18 2013 3:21AM
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sNaubi
Posts: 1633 - Karma: 2,357

Jun 18 2013 7:07AM
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High5
Posts: 47 - Karma: 8

Yes! Could not have said it better myself. Except the unnecessary "pussy" part at the end. 

However, respect to the guy who made the thread and asked the question. It is a tough industry and there is a lot to learn. Thanks for asking, because I am sure there are a lot all these little kids who think they are cool on this webpage that could learn from this discussion.

So, If you are not good enough to gain the attention of your local shop, which in turn you shoule be able to meet the local rep of a brand, and then if they like you have them introduce you to the company, then kust stop thinking you are good enough to "get sponsored."

Do not send your resume to the team managers around the world asking for sponsorship if you are just looking to make money or get free shit. They have a lot of shit to do and they will just laugh or get mad that you sent it. Companies do not have the ability to create your skiing career. You must put forth the initiative and then they will support you once they can use you as a marketing tool and representative of the brand. Until then, just keep skiing and enjoy the fun in the mountains with your buddies. That is what skiing is all about.

Make edits, because it is fun to see yourself ski, not to get sponsored. However, if you are trying to get sponsored, put in the time and do it right. Find a friend who can film you and make sure they get the shot, make friends with a nerd who can edit REALLY well, wear the same cloths for two years if you need to and put together a banger edit that YOU are proud of. If your Mom likes it, the Team Mangers will not. If your Mom is scared and does not like watching it, then there is a chance the Team Manger will watch the whol thing through to the end. A small chance.

Shred for the fun, not the free shit. The risk outweighs the reward, no matter how much free gear you get, so you better enjoy what you are doing.

Jun 18 2013 8:45AM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
Because someone actually needs advice on how to continue their skiing career
Jun 18 2013 9:33AM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
Thanks for the honest advise, I think I might consider not going For the sponsorship now. I wasnt seeing this side of it and now I do.
Jun 18 2013 9:37AM
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beansurrows
Posts: 209 - Karma: 5,526
3 steps:
1. get/be good at mountain sliding and get good footy
2. make a groovy edit + smart resume (voiceovers in edits help)
3. find a small company to start with and send that shit out!

Worked for me, best of luck
Jun 18 2013 9:38AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
What you need to realize is that being good at skiing isn't everything. I know some kids that can throw down hard and companies want nothing to do with them.

One thing that no one has really said here is that about 80% of first time deals are not done through the ski manufacturers. Deals for product are almost always done through the local rep for the brand. Because of this, you are technically riding for the rep and not the brand. What does this mean? It means that emails directly to a ski company are usually sent right to the "recycle bin" on their desktops. It means that you need to give that rep exposure in area by competing at local events, helping out with demos, not being a douche in the park (this is massive!!), being generally stoked on the brand(s) that rep is representing.

Local reps are given marketing budgets for flowing product to influential riders that are going to help them gain positive exposure.

I know people have been saying but I'm going to reiterate the point, YOU NEED TO COMPETE!! You don't need to win all the time but you need to place respectably and be generally well known in the local competition scene. You also need to realize that whenever you strap into your gear, there are people out there that can give you the "yay" or "nay" and you will not even know about it. A lot of the time, reps will ask others about this kid or that kid and opinions about them. I've been asked and given the "nay" on several skiers simply because of the way they act. I've also given the "yay" and helped kids get their first deals inked both with reps and with manufacturers.

In the end, it's what you can do for the rep/company and not what they can for you. How you present yourself also has a huge bearing on whether or not people want to deal with you.
Jun 18 2013 11:02AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
Thank you. No one ever gets this. The workers for the company and the reps are obviously skiers, so where do you think they spend their time? If you're an absolute tool and they remember you, your shit is going in the trash. Getting sponsored is like landing a highly coveted job. They want someone to represent their brand well and believe me, they have a plenty big pool of talent to pick from.
Jun 18 2013 11:12AM
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milk_man
Posts: 5252 - Karma: 5,978
Buy a camera and start filming.

Practice everyday and in the summer train by skateboarding, running, trampolining, etc.

Once winter comes, go as hard as you can and go as big as you can while still making it look clean.

Im sure there's at least one comp in your area. Enter that
Jun 18 2013 11:50AM
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C-Wal
Posts: 185 - Karma: 1,370
do future spins.... get paid
Jun 18 2013 5:41PM
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Louis.
Posts: 38 - Karma: 35
Ski from the heart. Becoming anything in this sport is a consequence of love and dedication to it.
Jun 18 2013 5:43PM
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Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,212
This, and only this.
Jun 18 2013 6:38PM
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Z-Juice
Posts: 3151 - Karma: 1,504
If you're completely dedicated to being sponsored, this is the most important.
Jun 18 2013 6:44PM
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Shabangarang
Posts: 949 - Karma: 156
fuck skiing....
Jun 18 2013 7:42PM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
can you please show us one of your edits I'm dying to know if you are good or not

Jun 18 2013 7:49PM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
I'll post one next season. Don't have any camera equipment yet. I'm going to get a gopro
Jun 18 2013 10:48PM
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skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
Mistake number 1
Jun 18 2013 11:02PM
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Parches
Posts: 164 - Karma: 176
you have to do lots of whirly birds to get spancerized.
Jun 19 2013 12:19AM
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Truetape
Posts: 291 - Karma: 227
sounds legit.
Jun 19 2013 12:26AM
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d00d
Posts: 2687 - Karma: 7,086
The entire time while reading this post all I could think of was chug yelling "MY IMAGE!!!!!!"
Jun 19 2013 12:35AM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
Why? Should I get a different camera or none at all and just not be able to chuck out edits? I can't afford proffesional camera equipment and don't know how else to do an edit.
Jun 19 2013 12:51AM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
It is. I can't afford any fancy photography equipment and I'm actually decent for being 14
Jun 19 2013 12:52AM
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HalKK
Posts: 223 - Karma: 367
hard work, dedication. simple recipe for life
Jun 19 2013 10:35AM
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Crehm
Posts: 951 - Karma: 842
Go pro is better than nothing but unless you can film and edit like abe kislevitz it probably wont get you very far.
Jun 19 2013 10:45AM
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skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
GoPro's are one of the most overrated things money can buy. They seem like a wonderful idea when you have a low budget but in reality they're really a shitty piece of equipment that's nowhere near as good as advertised
Jun 19 2013 10:49AM
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sNaubi
Posts: 1633 - Karma: 2,357
Depends on how, where and how good you are at using it, but "My first edit!!!!1!" or "GoPro ediiit" are the things that make me agree with you even though I have one myself.
Jun 19 2013 11:12AM
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Mainah
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,106
gopros aren't that bad they get alot of hate because they're cheap and there are definitely a fair amount of gapers that ski with them on their head all day up and down groomers. That being said, they work pretty well especially on a budget. If you can ski and edit half way decently you'll be fine without a $600 camera.

PS the sony HD handycams work really well, have nice zoom and way better sound quality that gopros and are around $250.
Jun 19 2013 11:29AM
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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4491 - Karma: 6,797
get your mother to sponsor you.
Jun 19 2013 12:41PM
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Saga.
Posts: 3812 - Karma: 45,332
Its pretty simple idea actually. All you need is to be unique. You don't have to compete, you don't have to film edits or video parts. All you need to do is find something that makes you stand our from everyone else.

Sure winning some competitions may get you some low level rep flow sponsorship but it may not go any further than that. Just be unique.
Jun 19 2013 1:08PM
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CKpolicy
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 2,463
this is exactly how all the other pros got famous, you are on the right track. good luck.
Jun 19 2013 1:10PM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
Ok thanks ! Do you recommend any other low budget camera?
Jun 19 2013 3:03PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,889
Step 1- Be good at skiing

Step 2- Don't be not good at skiing
Jun 19 2013 3:05PM
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skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
There aren't many decent cameras you can get for a really low budget outside of a GoPro and/or Contour. I mean you can go ahead and buy one, we've all been through that GoPro phase, they're fun to mess around with but rarely ever lead to quality videos. My advice would be to just wait until you've gotten really good enough to make your edits any good and to build up your budget until you can afford a nicer camera
Jun 19 2013 3:20PM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
Sounds like a good idea. Thanks
Jun 19 2013 3:23PM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Jun 19 2013 11:04PM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,365

Jun 20 2013 12:04AM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
No I don't have edits. Didn't say I did. I can't afford camera equipment. Also I have no experience with edits. So far I prefer chill skiing for myself and didn't feel the need to put out an edit. Also I was kinda uneasy about doing or because of douchebags like you that insult skiers like me. I am going to start putting out edits once the snow comes back and I have some camera equipment. But thanks for pointing that out that I don't have edits.
Jun 20 2013 12:14AM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
Man, I'm just fooling around and if you're just chill skiing why are you looking to get sponsored? I think you're jumping on this wayy to early plus your at a progressive level according to this thread https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/748647/ . just Itch back a little and enjoy the freedom. I think you got a little summer fever.
Jun 20 2013 12:41AM
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Nikog
Posts: 168 - Karma: 646
Alright sorry for the little rant man. Ya I definitely do have summer fever. I really got into freeskiing at the end of last season so I want to get right back out there. The only reason I want to get sponsored is for better equipment for low cost / free to improve my skiing. Thx for the advice.
Jun 20 2013 12:45AM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
Yeah man just save up and don't lose the drive you have
Jun 20 2013 12:50AM
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Saga.
Posts: 3812 - Karma: 45,332
Most companies aren't going to want to sponsor someone who just wants discounted or cheaper gear so they can improve themselves. A company ideally wants someone who is willing to give everything they have to promote that brand. If we see someone putting all their efforts into promoting Saga and all they're getting is a few pieces of gear a year that is going to make us want to do more for them. As opposed to someone who is getting gear and just working on their own personal career. That doesn't necessarily help the brand as much.
Sponsoring someone is like hiring a new member to your program. Even if you don't pay them in dollars the value of the product you give them has a dollar amount. Essentially being sponsored is like getting paid to do a job for that company. If you don't have the brands best interests in mind it is probably not going to work out very well.
So if your biggest concern is progressing your personal career then get a job in the off season, work a ton, save every penny and find pro forms or sales to get your gear. Then you have no obligation to fulfill anyone else's agenda but your own when winter comes.
Jun 20 2013 11:27AM
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