Snowboarding Sponsorship
Sponsorship Part 2: Benefits and how to apply
Author: Selena - Boardworld Staff
You may have read the previous article (part 1) about sponsorship, in which we cleared the air about what sponsorship truly is and how to prepare. In part 2, we’re going to go over what exactly the benefits are and how to apply.
Let’s start with what the benefits are. We touched upon this briefly in part 1, but we’ll go into some more detail about more benefits of sponsorship.
What benefits can I expect from sponsorship?
Well, if you really think about it, the benefits to any snowboarder are pretty obvious. It can be an extremely expensive sport - especially if you want the best of everything. The cost of gear, travel, accommodation and lift passes can strap someone to the limit cash wise.
Sponsorship, at different levels, can almost entirely eliminate this problem and make snowboarding more affordable. What else would you like to hear? Oh yeah - sometimes it can even make it profitable.
Realistically, sponsorship deals at the base level will provide the snowboarder with free products from a snowboarding store or company. Along with this, what other benefits can the snowboarder expect?
Benefits of being a sponsored snowboarder:
- Receiving products from the company you’re reppin’
- Receiving funds to help with lift passes, travel and accommodation
- Receiving services
- Increasing your credibility in the industry
- Creation and/or improvement of your personal brand and image
No matter what level you are, or how long you’ve been in the industry, all of these are valuable and make sponsorship worth going after.
What exactly are sponsors looking for?
Well, depending on the level of sponsorship you’re seeking, individual organisations will have many different sponsorship objectives. It’s important to understand the sponsor’s unique goals, however, there are also common goals that you’ll generally find when researching to take the next step.
What exactly are these common goals that I speak of? Most companies, when offering sponsorship, are looking to:
- Increase sales
- Increase brand awareness
- Improve their image
- Improve brand position
- Build community relationships
- Target new market segments
Making contact!
There are so many ways to make contact. Put yourself out there! Start networking and talking to people at big events. Stalk snowboard company’s websites and find a point of contact to discuss what you’re hoping to accomplish. Sponsorships are achieved by having the right assets (profile, video, online and offline presence) and knowing the right people.
You can also find places online that act like a liaison and allow you to upload profiles to get seen by tons of sponsors across many industries.
What now?
You’ll need to put together somewhat of a “sponsorship package” that has all relevant information about you.
- Photos: in the previous article, I mentioned making sure you get lots of photos of yourself inside and outside of the industry.
- Complete profile: You’ll need use the “interview” modules to show a company your personality and give them an idea of whether you’d be a good representative of the brand.
- Interesting updates: include links to the blog that you are (hopefully) keeping after reading part 1. Also link to your Twitter or Facebook pages.
- Complete application: Every company has a custom set of questions that they’ll be looking for you to answer. Make sure that you answer to the best of your ability and watch your grammar!
- Include a sponsorship video! Don’t make it gruelingly long - take the best clips you have with a small personal intro, and let it do it’s thing.
Now, starting applying!!! Hopefully this sponsorship guide will get you on the right path towards making your dreams happen. Sponsorship isn’t exactly the easiest thing to achieve, but it’s worth taking the appropriate steps if you’re truly passionate and want to make this a huge part of your life.
If you have any questions on sponsorship, ask one of the industry experts on the Boardworld Snowboarding Forums.
