CAN I GET SPONSORED

Wonder, am I good enough to get sponsored?

Wonder, am I good enough to get sponsored?
You just won a contest in your town and you’re on cloud 9. You’ve seen all the new videos, you can land all the tricks the pros are doing; so where is your package? Well, that’s a question a lot a shreds ask, but a few ever get the right answer. Right now at this very minute, there are hundreds of kids across North America thinking what you’re thinking.

Just like in the real world of jobs, money and six-packs, you need a résumé if you want to get hooked up.  Essentially, a sponsor-me video is a résumé, and if you get accepted, you’ll be that much closer to a long prosperous career as a pro snowboarder.
Money, free boards, travel and retirement at the age of 30---- your dream could become reality by following these four easy steps.

“Every Year we received tons of sponsor-me request from local shreds thinking they are good enough to get free product flow” says Dave Driscoll, Burton Team Manager.  After looking at all those tapes each year we realized that the local rider community in some areas doesn’t have the same standards and level of riding of what it takes to get sponsored.”

Because we would like everybody to be on the same page, you will find pointers of the industry standards that can increase your chance to get a sponsorship, and maybe become a future pro rider.  Let’s say your Name is Tommy Shred, 16 years old from Ancaster, Ontario.  You’re getting ready to send a sponsor me tape but are not sure if will make the cut.  If you can say yes to those three topics you’re off on a good start.

My Skills: At least you Spin Frontside and Backside 360’s on any kind of jumps
Able to frontslide and boardslide any flat rail
Able to do a Backside and a Frontside Air in the Pipe
The list could go on for hours.  Those three are basics that you should be able to do with your eyes close…

My Style: This is where the Videos and the Mags come into play. If your arms are all over the place when you do a trick it’s because you’re out of control in your execution.  We need to feel that it’s easy for you.  Yes, every rider has his own style but some are better then others; sometimes trying to copy your favorite pro can help you a lot to polish your style. 
   
My Mountain: You should be the local Favorite, the ones that gets podiums at every local contest. They also look at the kind of jump, rails and pipe they provide you to get better.  For example some mountain only provide “Ride On” jumps on their rails, witch is much easier then a gap to rail.  Keep that in mind when you’re getting ready to session something for your flick. And don’t be afraid to pick up a shovel to fix that thing for a better result.

Those pointers will help you deliver a better content that will fit better the standard the industry is dealing with everyday.  Get your cameras rolling and follow these 4 steps to help you put together your sponsor-me tape.

Step 1

You have to remember that you’re just one out of thousands of kids who think they’re the next Shaun White.  Your video needs to stand out in a crowd before it’s even thrown in the DVD or VCR.
 Let’s start with the video box.  Dazzle it up.  Decorate it.  Do whatever needs to be done to get it noticed. If you’re thinking about what to put in your little intro letter, don’t.  The less they have to watch or read the better.  Your riding will speak for itself.  They could care less about what tricks you say you can do, or the contest you’ve won.
 If you really wanna put anything extra in there, include a coupon for Subway or a funny school photo. Guarantee the guy will be happier on getting a free foot-long than hearing you yap about winning a regional contest.

Step 2

How you’re gonna start you flick.  You probably think this is the time to jam your video full of all the wicked tricks you’ve filmed.  Wrong.  Now it’s time for your intro.  Try to do something special.  Just like in any other situation, comedy is a good icebreaker.  Just put something together to show you’re more than a snowboard robot.
 One thing you’ve got to realize is that your personality is almost as important as your snowboarding.  Being an excellent snowboarder is what you need to be and if you’re a good PR guy,  then nothing will get in your way and all the company will want to work with you.
 
 Step 3

Finally it’s time to talk about your snowboard footage.  We all know your buddy with the camera probably isn’t the next Snowboard producer, but that’s OK.  The most important thing is your actual trick.  Don’t worry about making your video as good as professional snowboard movie productions.  Team managers are only interested in three things; STYLE, CONSISTENCY and VERSATILITY.
 Show your own style.  You’ve probably filmed hours upon hours of tricks, so be choosy whit what you select.  Don’t perform the same trick in every line.  Display all your skills, and include footage from all your favorite spots.  If you’re comfortable on a jump or a rail in you local park, it’s always better to show every thing you’re capable of.  Once all these elements are in place remember to keep it short.  You should be able to get your point across in three minutes, at most.

Step 4

Your video is done.  After you and your friends have watched it a dozen times, it’s time to mail it out.  Just go trough a mag and figure out who’s gonna view your master piece.  If at all possible, call the company before you send the tape.  Ask to speak to the snowboard team manager.  Even if you get his voice mail leave a message letting him know that your tape is on the way.
 There’s a fine line between a pain in the ass and a mellow shred.  Keep this in mind when you follow up.  It’s important to check in to see if they got your tape and what they think.

Good luck and remember if it doesn’t work this year it just means that you need to keep practicing more, witch is not a bad thing because you love it.