Sponsorship

Elushion

What are the best ways of getting sponsorship (For equipment/gear in return for advertisement ie. on kit, on wheels). Is sending of a cycling CV and a letter to companies an effective method?

redddraggon

Sponsorship for what?>

EKIMIKE

redddraggon wrote:

Sponsorship for what?>

Read the post again :roll:

Anyway, to the OP I reckon that's as good a method as you're going to get. You could try LBS's...

If i'm honest though, I doubt in the grips of a recession you're going to get many takers, or rather givers.

Monty Dog

Get some results, in particular win some races and compile a portfolio of results, in particular local newspaper cuttings, particuarly photos or features. Think about what your proposal would give to a prospective sponsor and how it would enhance their product or service. Your LBS is probably already well known to local cyclists, so why would they give up potential profit by giving away free kit?
Companies spend money on advertising, the purpose of sponsorship is either to gain exposure to your brand to your target audience, preferrably at a rate or more effective means than using other media. The other reason that businesses sponsor sport is because the business owner has a passion and wants to put something back - most of these links are through personal contacts.
Businesses are run by professionals, so you need to be business-like and professional in your approach - if trying to attract money from non-cycling businesses, what are they going to get from the exposure - apart from expenses?

softlad

Elushion wrote:

What are the best ways of getting sponsorship (For equipment/gear in return for advertisement ie. on kit, on wheels). Is sending of a cycling CV and a letter to companies an effective method?

are you planning on/actively competing - or do you just want free stuff..??

Elushion

I do actively compete and already have quite a full CV/portfolio. So I have enough racing results and experience to be classed as a "Talented rider".

Bhima

I thought there were strict rules regarding sponsors/advertising on your kit when racing, which is the time you'd get the most exposure... Don't know exactly how it works, but i'll have to wear plain/club kit when I start racing in March.

oldwelshman

Its not that simple as an individual.
It is usually done as part of team sponsorhip and then the sponsors details along with kit detail are forwarded to bcf during team registration. You cannot just stick anything on your kit.
I am sure some one else will provide more detail.
If you have the results and portfolio better off trying to get in a top team I guess.

softlad

Elushion wrote:

So I have enough racing results and experience to be classed as a "Talented rider".

no offence intended, but like OW just said - surely if you had a recognisable talent you should be thinking about getting involved with a sponsored squad or pro-am set-up..?? Does 'Cycling Ireland' not have a development squad..??

Cycling is effectively a team sport - there are very few - if any sponsored individuals...

Percy Vera

What Monty Dog said, Get Results - lots of 1st placings then mag sure you are in the local paper more often than not.

Bhima wrote:

.....when I start racing in March.

So it's going to happen?

Infamous

Bhima will win all sorts this year, mark my words!

To the OP, if you have to ask, you are not good enough.

Steve_b77

Infamous wrote:

To the OP, if you have to ask, you are not good enough.

Never a truer word spoken, if you're good enough the LBS's etc will come after you.

I had the same when I was fishing competitively.

I worked for a tackle company if I got good results I got free or heavily discounted stuff, same at the local shop - discounted stuff when I was getting my name in the papers week in week out - simplez!

Pross

Note the location of the OP - different rules on advertising / sponsorship may apply in Ireland as BC obviously don't rule there!

oldwelshman

Infamous wrote:

Bhima will win all sorts this year, mark my words!

To the OP, if you have to ask, you are not good enough.

Not necessarliy true.
Often there are good jumiors who do not get into the development squads for many reasons, even though they are good enough.
sometimes it is about being in the right location and knowing the right people and having the right guidence.

dennisn

www.freewheel.com

Our club has had pretty good luck in getting sponsors for quite a few years now.
I would guess that a single rider would have less chance than a organized club
would at convincing potential sponsors to give you money. I gave you the clubs website
thinking that maybe you could email one or more of the officers and maybe get a little input from them. I used to be the club race director but never really got involved with the
sponsorship. Good luck.

Valy

OP - are you not with any club or is there a governing body for cycling in Ireland?

cougie

Why is this in road beginners if you're an experienced and successful racer ?

That aside - its going to be hard to go it alone and try and bag sponsors for yourself. To be successful at that it will take up a lot of your time. You would be better off approaching a team thats got a bit of sponsorship.

Does your club not have a fund for racers ? Our guys get money towards their race expenses - some clubs do better than that.