How do you get sponsored

[lazyboyflyer]

WOW! Red z06, well said.

[jwilliams]

The easiest way to get sponsored is to let your thumbs do all the talking and be nice/friendly to everyone even if they disagree with you. There are many on here who have given excellent advice. I cherish the three I have been fortunate enough to be partnered with. I certainly would not seek them out, there are enough suck-ups around.
Jeff Williams

[toprudder]

Lots of good advice here.

Getting sponsership is not a reward for your accomplishments up to that point, although your accomplishments may be what gets their attention. The sponsers expect something in return, as well they should. You are an ambassador for them, representing their company and products. Any behavior that puts you in a bad light is not good for them.

Once you gain sponserhip, certain things are expected of you. If you are being sponsered by an RC related company, you will probably be expected to use their products in competition. What happens if you decide that is not the best equipment on the market?? Perhaps the sponser expects you to attend a certain number of events during the year, and even have to travel to a couple of events that you would not normally attend. They may or may not expect you to pay for the travel expense out-of-pocket. These are things to consider.

I've often thought it would be nice to get sponsership from a person or company not directly related to the hobby. More freedom to use the equipment of your own choice, all the sponser really cares about is their logo appearing at public events.

I guess what I am saying is that a sponsership MAY be nice, but it ain't no free ride.

[BillyGoat]

I’m going to start this off by saying that I know absolute nothing about sponsorship in the R/C world. I do have some knowledge of sponsorship in another endeavor.

Topflight, in my experience you may want to look a little bit closer at those that “seem” to be sponsored. Just because they own a shirt, hat or put the companies name on something doesn’t necessarily mean the company is behind them. Even though they would like your impression to be that they are. This is unfortunate for the guys that really are and trying to do right by the company?

In the world of sponsorship not everything is shipped gratis. Often there are different levels of sponsorship. For every guy that gets his equipment free, so to speak, there are many more that just get a good factory discount.

If you’re looking for a way to help fund your addiction, might want to think again. Unless you’re in the upper ranks of competition, the whole economies of scale really doesn’t work out. Take the dollar amount of merchandise given to you and then divide it by the amount of time spent doing PR for the company, like posing for pictures or pressing flesh in a booth at events. The money is better working partime at McDonalds. One thing I’m surprised not mentioned yet is reporting to sponsors. Time must be taken periodically to send a report regarding events you plan on attending and how well you did competing in previous.

Then there is a lack of freedom. Let’s say a guy has a really good deal with a company that offers several different products. The guy needs to use a thing-a-ma-gig but the companies thing-a-ma-gig really pales in comparison to one from another company. He’s locked in even though it may cost him a couple first place trophies. Also along the freedom lines there is often time asked of you when you would rather do something else.

It may sound like I’m bagging on sponsorships but I’m not. Often the relationships work out really well. I’ve just seen too many get dropped like bad habit because they thought all they had to do was perform well and wear the shirts and hat.

[Eury]

Give some real thought before pursuing a sponsorship or affiliation with a company. I've been there, and got out because it took the fun out of the hobby for me. When you are sponsored you are expected to to always represent that company. If you are online, at the field, at a competition, or just talking at the LHS, you are representing them, and if you don't have something nice to say about the product, either come up with a way to spin it into a positive or don't say anything at all. If you are at a flyin or competition, and have 2 planes, one from your sponsor, and one from some other company, you need to fly the sponsor's one.

To me, it limits your choices. I walked just because I didn't have to have discounts or free stuff (I was able to come up with the cash prior, I'll be able to do it after), and it's a lot more fun to be able to do your own thing. I still help people out with their stuff, just like I did prior, but now I can do it without any kind of marketing slant. Basically, being a rep for a manufacturer took a lot of the fun out of the hobby for me, yes it was cool to have stuff before anyone else, but if it means selling my soul for that privilege, no thanks.

[red_z06]

Eury:

Well put!!

[topflight36]

Eury I think you make the most since my friend. I want this hobbie to still be a fun hobbie. Not where I have to work all the time. I Have the money to build and fly my own planes so That is what I will do.

[Eury]

Don't let me discourage you, I just wanted to provide another side of it. I've had a lot of fun hobbies in my life, and I turned them into jobs. Video games- got a job in a game store, after a year I stopped playing all together (I did come back to this, I'm an avid gamer now, but it took 5 years to get back) Computers - became a tech, loved it for a year, then hated them. Flying - been a pilot my whole life, once it became a job, it's become stressful and less fun, and RC. I went down the Rep route, it was cool for about a week or two, then I sensed it going the same way as my previous passions, so I got out. This hobby is for me, it's not for anyone else, and I'm going to have the good sense to keep it that way so it remains an escape from stress, not a source of stress.

[Temptation]

	Quote: Originally Posted by topflight36
	Eury I think you make the most since my friend. I want this hobbie to still be a fun hobbie. Not where I have to work all the time. I Have the money to build and fly my own planes so That is what I will do.

Very good choice. Just buy what you want, and go have fun with it your way. That's what I do. I am sponsored by my wife. She lets me do what I want, when I want. All I have to do in return is make sure my family is taken care of and be a good father, and husband. I think I have the best sponsorship in the world.

Mike Darr

[snap a saurus]

Look at my signature.

[sweetpea]

Best advice.......If you gotta ask how......your not good enough

1. Fly Damn good
2. Compete in contests/ attend large fly-ins
3. Be a good ambassador
4. It really helps to know somebody in the company....i.e. get your foot in the dorr

[hobbydude214]

i think really just flying everyday and if you cant fly that day use the sim, and being nice and helpful is good too!! i have 3 sponsors now and really they all came at unexpected times, basically prove you have your heart and soul into it and really love who you want to be sponsored by because your going to want to be able to say why its the best!