Awesome advice, pretty spot on from my experience. The know your worth part is really hard. As someone that’s had a lot of sponsors through luck and hard work but absolutely no plan my advice would be really talk to others first to try and get a gauge on what others are doing and look really hard at what you are planning before approaching companies, you can easily find yourself swamped with commitments for little reward and that becomes hard to break out of without the relationship turning sour.
What I got from this video was: quit my office job again and return back on my bike! 2019 I had a dream of cycling Mexico, which I started in 2021 but had to stop because the bicycle I had was not appropriate for the long road. Literally five spokes broke from the back tire because of my weight and the things I was carrying. It was the scariest and funniest thing ever; I can hear them pop! While I was going down hill XD. I had to quit that dream because of the stress as well, and return to an office job for customer service (of all the jobs I had it's the one I HATE the most, but the bills are not going to pay themselves). I was getting offer sponsorships for clothing lines and sport gear but had to decline them as I was on the road moving forward and had nowhere to stay to receive the equipment. I'll start planning thing again and maybe just maybe I'll return to the hobby I love the most, cycling.
Good video that needed to be made - there's a lot of really bad 'proposals' being sent out (DM'd) these days and most of them aren't even worth replying to unfortunately. Visibility is what most brands are after and if you can give it to them, either through video, on social, or by winning races then you'll have no problem getting sponsored. Maybe hit up some smaller brands too, especially when you're starting out as they need this visibility even more than the bigger brands and may be more open to working with you. They're probably fed up of getting 'give me free stuff' requests in the DMs so you'll be at an advantage if you put a decent offer to them.
Thanks for capturing the passion of individual sport athletes. You really managed to knock it out of the park with Leona's segment... and the series in general.
Pro racers could race a unicycle down a DH run and beat most people. I personally think people like Ben legitimize brands like SantaCruz. Seeing the proverbial “everyman” ride is much more relevant to me. I know Ben is still at the pro level, but he comes off like your best bud.
I'm not sure I got much out of this video, because it seems to me there are several levels: Getting FOC (free of charge) stuff; getting financial support; and being part of a factory team. If you get a free helmet, or even a free bike, that's great, but it doesn't get you to the next race venue or pay for lodging or entry fees and such. When you see how cozy it can be when a rider is a team member, compared to the "privateers" who probably get some FOC stuff given to them but have to finance everything else.... "sponsorship" is a vague term that can mean lots of things. I look at a "privateer" like Antoine Rogge, who finished 28th in WC points for the year and placed 16th at Val di Sole, riding part of the year on a 3-year old bike and part of the year on a hand-me-down given to him by Loic Bruni, and I think, "What could this guy do if he had a full-time team behind him?" The guy is only 20 years old....
Great that you made this video, because I am looking to sponsor myself when I am bit older I would be great if I could have a talk with you for my future of riding. Thank you Ben
As I hit races I always show where I am going an short video of being at the event . Ex, I am headed to Cape Coral Florida for a BMX state qualifier Saturday when I’m done then headed three hours north to Santos for a mountain bike championship. Would it be worth getting a videographer or someone help edit for me to put it in a storyline?
@jfs116 hi, Im a XC racer from Croatia & I startet a YT channel where I upload my race reports, teaching kids on how to be a better rider etc... its now been 3 years of my YT career and I have 1200 subs, its not going fast but I can tell you that started filming videos was the best thing I done, its insane how much I learned and become a better version of myself trough that.. You can find TIME filiming yuorself e.g. while driving from location to location and explaining what you expirienced or how and what you plan to do in the next event...its valid informations. good luck
I would „need“ a Sponsor because i think I am at a level where it’s really demanding for the bike and parts. I destroy wheels and other parts over some rock gardens but for me I am still in school can’t afford buying new ones every month. Sometimes worries about my bike hold me back from riding the fastest I could go
I actually bought the open-face MET helmet you wear at around min 2:00 and I have to say it had a nice fit but was crap quality. The fit-system broke in less than a year's use and that's not my main helmet since I use it only for MTB and I mainly ride road. For a 200€ helmet that's garbage. So yeah... It was the only helmet where the fit-system broke so fast and only my second one where it broke. Second one being a Scott, but then again that helmet was 4 years old and I used it daily on my work commute, so that's understandable.
Seth chose not to have a bike sponsor after working with Diamondback for years reinforces that, if possible, it's much better to not have a sponsor and retain the freedom.
Hey Ben I'm struggling with my TH-cam channel, it seems it doesn't have any direction. Could you make an episode on creating content? Specially on covering race events, as I found out that it's nearly close to impossible taking part in a race and and at the same time trying to cover as much content as possible for the channel. . Thanks @PINKBIKE #howtobike
Awesome advice, pretty spot on from my experience.
The know your worth part is really hard. As someone that’s had a lot of sponsors through luck and hard work but absolutely no plan my advice would be really talk to others first to try and get a gauge on what others are doing and look really hard at what you are planning before approaching companies, you can easily find yourself swamped with commitments for little reward and that becomes hard to break out of without the relationship turning sour.
What I got from this video was: quit my office job again and return back on my bike!
2019 I had a dream of cycling Mexico, which I started in 2021 but had to stop because the bicycle I had was not appropriate for the long road. Literally five spokes broke from the back tire because of my weight and the things I was carrying. It was the scariest and funniest thing ever; I can hear them pop! While I was going down hill XD.
I had to quit that dream because of the stress as well, and return to an office job for customer service (of all the jobs I had it's the one I HATE the most, but the bills are not going to pay themselves).
I was getting offer sponsorships for clothing lines and sport gear but had to decline them as I was on the road moving forward and had nowhere to stay to receive the equipment.
I'll start planning thing again and maybe just maybe I'll return to the hobby I love the most, cycling.
Good video that needed to be made - there's a lot of really bad 'proposals' being sent out (DM'd) these days and most of them aren't even worth replying to unfortunately. Visibility is what most brands are after and if you can give it to them, either through video, on social, or by winning races then you'll have no problem getting sponsored. Maybe hit up some smaller brands too, especially when you're starting out as they need this visibility even more than the bigger brands and may be more open to working with you. They're probably fed up of getting 'give me free stuff' requests in the DMs so you'll be at an advantage if you put a decent offer to them.
Thanks for capturing the passion of individual sport athletes. You really managed to knock it out of the park with Leona's segment... and the series in general.
Truly and inspirational video. Keep up the good work Cathro 👊🤟
As alway cathro. Honest and very interesting content.
That is a beautiful picnic bench
Pro racers could race a unicycle down a DH run and beat most people. I personally think people like Ben legitimize brands like SantaCruz. Seeing the proverbial “everyman” ride is much more relevant to me. I know Ben is still at the pro level, but he comes off like your best bud.
Ben you don’t get paid enough you are my favorite mtb creator. Show me the money!!!!
I think it’s because I’m slow but no one has returned my calls or emails.
I'm not sure I got much out of this video, because it seems to me there are several levels: Getting FOC (free of charge) stuff; getting financial support; and being part of a factory team.
If you get a free helmet, or even a free bike, that's great, but it doesn't get you to the next race venue or pay for lodging or entry fees and such. When you see how cozy it can be when a rider is a team member, compared to the "privateers" who probably get some FOC stuff given to them but have to finance everything else.... "sponsorship" is a vague term that can mean lots of things.
I look at a "privateer" like Antoine Rogge, who finished 28th in WC points for the year and placed 16th at Val di Sole, riding part of the year on a 3-year old bike and part of the year on a hand-me-down given to him by Loic Bruni, and I think, "What could this guy do if he had a full-time team behind him?" The guy is only 20 years old....
I get 50+ percent off from different clothing and bike part manufactures just from post on Facebook and Instagram. I am 60 I race xc an bmx
Wonderful video man! super informative..
Thank you.
‘If a sick stunt happened in the woods and no one got the shot, did it actually happen?’ Very zen…..
I'm not interested in getting sponsored, but it's interesting to see the process.
I think that nowadays one needs to be a better content creator and an online personality, than a rider, to be able to make it, and be successful, imo
Very well done !!! Thank you.
There's another way to being sponsored: crack the frame just before the end of the warranty to get the brand new model FOC.
Love this !!!!
i just want a redbull helmet man
same
always great content. Thanks ben & Team
I have 0 interest in sponsorship. But if Ben and crew are presenting I'll watch 🤷♂️
Where was this video when I was 13?
respect
Great that you made this video, because I am looking to sponsor myself when I am bit older I would be great if I could have a talk with you for my future of riding. Thank you Ben
Earning your place on the podium when you’re unsponsored is the best
As I hit races I always show where I am going an short video of being at the event . Ex, I am headed to Cape Coral Florida for a BMX state qualifier Saturday when I’m done then headed three hours north to Santos for a mountain bike championship. Would it be worth getting a videographer or someone help edit for me to put it in a storyline?
@jfs116 hi, Im a XC racer from Croatia & I startet a YT channel where I upload my race reports, teaching kids on how to be a better rider etc... its now been 3 years of my YT career and I have 1200 subs, its not going fast but I can tell you that started filming videos was the best thing I done, its insane how much I learned and become a better version of myself trough that.. You can find TIME filiming yuorself e.g. while driving from location to location and explaining what you expirienced or how and what you plan to do in the next event...its valid informations. good luck
Free bike would be perfect🔥🤤
cool
Free Bikes?I’m in since I can’t afford a Santa Cruz - content? Let’s get out and make an awesome one 🤙
I would „need“ a Sponsor because i think I am at a level where it’s really demanding for the bike and parts. I destroy wheels and other parts over some rock gardens but for me I am still in school can’t afford buying new ones every month. Sometimes worries about my bike hold me back from riding the fastest I could go
You are not interesting until you are not interesting. Sad true((
best way to get sponsored is to not want a sponsor, just enjoy riding
I'll wait until at least 10k subs before I start applying for stuff. I'm still in that phase where everything feels like a BIG ask 😂
See, this was easy in my day. Work for a bike mag, get free shit.
I’m, er, still wearing my Alpinestars hoodies from 2004…
I actually bought the open-face MET helmet you wear at around min 2:00 and I have to say it had a nice fit but was crap quality. The fit-system broke in less than a year's use and that's not my main helmet since I use it only for MTB and I mainly ride road. For a 200€ helmet that's garbage. So yeah... It was the only helmet where the fit-system broke so fast and only my second one where it broke. Second one being a Scott, but then again that helmet was 4 years old and I used it daily on my work commute, so that's understandable.
well my 26' size S torque dhx kinda fucking sucks
like forks beyond repair and frame bent
Send sponsor pls
you can always be bike influessah
Simple answer is, because on a bike I'm a slug not a barracuda.
LOL so true!
I’m sponsored by my dad.
i wish i could be sponsored i got hit by a car a few months ago, bike is fucked and still haven't ridden since
Seth chose not to have a bike sponsor after working with Diamondback for years reinforces that, if possible, it's much better to not have a sponsor and retain the freedom.
1k like! :)
Step 1: be born in an ideal area and meet the right people
Step 2: profit?
Fine but my kids ask me everyday, but i dont have finance to do that
Maybe you should get sponsored by management firms.
I need free bikes for my personal health
I just became an alcoholic to get a sponsor
Fairly depressing, if someone with your drive and skills could not receive sponsorship...
i wanna be sponsored by a Vtuber agency
Plz sponser me, will ride for food
Hey Ben I'm struggling with my TH-cam channel, it seems it doesn't have any direction. Could you make an episode on creating content? Specially on covering race events, as I found out that it's nearly close to impossible taking part in a race and and at the same time trying to cover as much content as possible for the channel. . Thanks
@PINKBIKE
#howtobike
Marketing is ruining everything!