Benny: That all depends on the person I guess, you see some kids who are amazing but never leave their home skatepark. Manhead: There is a barometer for flow, they need to show initiative, be actively filming or heading to events and wanting to be part of something bigger.
If the attitude isn't right, or said flow rider isn't hungry or generally flakey, that's a tell-tale sign they're not down for the sponsorship side of skateboarding. Baines: I think it used to be a little easier some years back because there was a smaller pool people would pick from. Now, as I said before, everyone is good and you could hook everyone up. Again, take Charlie Birch and his scouse swagger.
Benny: Just encourage them really, everyone likes free stuff so stoke them out with a load of free product and say all you need to do in return is film, get photos and be motivated.
Manhead: I simply encourage them to do what they want to do, in the way they want to do it and then try to showcase it. Give them opportunities to skate with the existing team.
Also, bringing what they've done to catch my attention to the people in head office and Chris Pfanner, who is European team manager. And these days you pretty much need a great Instagram as well. Manhead: I'd tell them not to focus on trying to get sponsorship, just go out and have fun with your mates and push yourself a little. Try to document what you're doing, whether it be an Instagram clip or a full part, just put it out freely.
If you're on the right path, the right people will see it and support you. Baines: The process used to be a kid would get hooked up by their local store and film for them for a shop video maybe. How do you see the landscape for kids trying to come up in skateboarding today compared to when you were younger? It seems pretty difficult to stand out given how good everyone is…. All we had was checking the local newsagent for the newest Sidewalk and seeing when the next under 18s comp was on!
Manhead: The standard has gone through the roof, but in terms of getting yourself out there, it's easier than ever with social media. Ten years ago you had to spend a year or two filming a video part, release it alongside a fifteen-page interview in a print mag, and even win a major competition in some instances.
I think Instagram has changed the dynamics of what it is to be perceived as an established sponsored skateboarder these days. Baines: Exactly that. All we had to worry about was producing a video part every two to three years. Instagram killed the video part. As for a nightmare to work with? He actually kicked me out of a spot once, haha! Bartok, Alex Moul and Ewan Bowman were there with him. He started screaming for us to get the fuck out, haha.
Manhead: I think someone along the lines of Danny Wainwright or Geoff Rowley, not just because they ride for Vans or I know them, haha. But because they came from shit parts of England and made it! Of course, getting sponsored will be in the back of your mind; just don't push so hard to make it happen. Go with the flow and getting sponsored will happen if it was meant to.
If it doesn't happen, keep your eyes open, because there are other doors always waiting to be opened. When looking for new team riders, sponsors are looking for someone who stands out with their style and originality.
Because there's no one in the world like you, there's no competition and no comparison. Let your personality shine. Forget what others are doing, and just do you. If you watched the finale of Slap's "One In A Million" contest, you would know that there was no winner chosen that year. The reason for this decision was because of the poor attitudes the skaters were having towards the end of the show.
Because attitudes are contagious, the negativity spread throughout the entire crew, and nobody got sponsored. Jamie Thomas was on the last episode, and he was telling the cameras that there's so much more to sponsorship than just skateboarding.
What he said mattered more than talent is having a good attitude, being positive and motivated to skate. For anyone to buy your product, they have to know about it first. Your duty is to get yourself out there and display your skills.
Paul Rodriguez aka. P-Rod has said that your best chances of getting sponsored is by entering contests, showing up to demos, making friends in the skate industry - doing everything you can to get yourself out there.
The more exposure, the better, and the more people are talking about you and your skating, the better chance you have for getting sponsored. How you film and edit your sponsor me video could play a big part in whether or not your video gets watched.
Videos with shaking footage or cheesy editing will not give the sponsor a good first impression. When you're all done with your video, post it online. Then send an email to your choice of sponsor with a link to your sponsor-me video. Then give them several ways you can help them if they sponsor you. You have to be of value for them to even consider sponsoring you.
For example, you could help them by filming and editing trick tip videos that drive traffic to their website. Or maybe you've won several contests already, and so you could help them get their brand some recognition that way.
Go on to telling them what your goals, plans, and dreams are with your life. Share with them your vision for what you would like to see happen. You should get in contact the team manager and get to know him or her. If you know someone who knows them ask to be introduced. It would also be a good idea to make friends with the guys on the team.
When you send in a sponsor me video it could be these guys watching and making the decision whether or not to have you on the team. It would do you good to make as many connections with people inside and out of the skate industry. Be friendly and be of value.
Every day you skate you should make a decision and work to get better at skateboarding. If you aren't constantly showing improvement, then you soon become irrelevant. Amateur Sponsorship: Amateur sponsorship might seem like a confusing title since it generally means you are getting your first paychecks from a sponsor.
However, what it really means is you are now a focal point of the skate team and have potential of joining the pro ranks. It is also the hardest sponsorship to navigate, as some brands will be more forthcoming than others on their plans to turn you pro and beyond.
To one day have your name on the bottom of a board or side of a shoe. This means you have now contributed a signature series of products to a company and are qualified to compete in Pro contests. Turning Pro is a testament to your skill on a skateboard but also your marketability and personhood.
Becoming a pro skater takes more than just skill; it takes a profound navigation of the skate industry as a whole. While in nearly all cases going pro is endowed by your board sponsor, you can also go pro for footwear in skateboarding.
You also must be a professional skateboarder to compete in The Olympics. Navigating how to become a sponsored skater is the real journey to becoming a pro skateboarder. Hone your skills: Skate, skate, skate! Honing your skills is the first and foremost step in becoming a sponsored skateboarder. Skate as many different skate parks as you can to skate all the different obstacles you would find in the streets or into a skate contest.
Enter Contests: At every contest you participate in , more skate companies will get eyes on you and your skill. There are always skate brands and team managers at skate contests. Just like skate parks, enroll in as many skate contests as possible. Go hit the streets and stack as much footage as possible. Footage: Footage is the currency of the sponsored skateboarder and pro skateboarder alike.
Think of it this way as well: when a skater is announced to a skate team or a new sponsor, they do so with an accompanying video part.
The same is true when a skater goes pro, amateur or even flow. Send to Prospecting Sponsors: No one is going to work harder for you than yourself. Once you have your sponsor me video, start connecting to your dream sponsors. In the past, skaters would have to send a literal VHS tape to a brand or company. With LinkedIn, email, and social media there are more ways than ever to connect to a skate brands team manager. Go for it! You have to be careful however.
You also need to be image conscious and understand how to be a healthy member of the online skate community. Start your own company: If all else fails, why wait to become sponsored? Funny huh? The more presence you make and the more you stand out, the higher the chances that you could get your sponsorship! Back in the day, it was really difficult to get your own tape.
It was really difficult just knowing someone that even had a camera to record you with, today we have the ability to record anything and share it with the world in a matter of seconds! Which is also, believe it or not, a double-edged sword! Because now there are millions of hours of footage online from people all over the world! If you want to be noticed, your film needs to stand out, be really high quality and then it needs to reach the right places! Keep in mind that if you are filming your demo tape, you should be at a pretty good skateboarding level and you should be able to land your tricks nice and clean!
It is one of the global skateboarding realities, you WILL fall and it will give your film a more realistic, less pretentious feel to it!
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