Asking for a sponsorship for racing

[limewave]

This is a bit strange but . . . I was recently asked to submit and application/resume for a mntn bike team--they are in need of women mountain bikers. They would pay all of the race entry fees as well as provide me with a free kit. Which is huge!

However, the team is from a different area. I feel a need to represent my city/region. My LBS has a club--which you have to pay to be a member of. Right now I race under that club name. And, honestly, I would much rather represent them. Would it be odd to submit a resume to the LBS owner and inquire about a sponsorship through them, asking for similar terms as the other team offer?

[Irulan]

This is a bit strange but . . . I was recently asked to submit and application/resume for a mntn bike team--they are in need of women mountain bikers. They would pay all of the race entry fees as well as provide me with a free kit. Which is huge!

However, the team is from a different area. I feel a need to represent my city/region. My LBS has a club--which you have to pay to be a member of. Right now I race under that club name. And, honestly, I would much rather represent them. Would it be odd to submit a resume to the LBS owner and inquire about a sponsorship through them, asking for similar terms as the other team offer?

No. You just really need to make sure you point out what's in it for them, not just for you.

[limewave]

No. You just really need to make sure you point out what's in it for them, not just for you.

Yes, I was thinking the exact same thing just after I posted this.

[Irulan]

I don't know how you'd find it, but a friend of mine did a really neat article on how to ask for sponsorship and how to represent/behave as a sponsored rider, for Dirt Rag (??) a few years ago. He's a Masters World Champ DH racer. His name is Doug Minor... maybe a good google might bring the article up? Needless to say he's got a lot of good sponsors.

[Kiwi Stoker]

As a former maketing manager in the industry I have to second the what's in it for the sponsor.
Think outside the square as well.
Can you take a women's MTB skills class for free for the store?
Make sure you provide race reports and photos (which are taken by yourself or a friend so won't have copyright issues).
Write an article or two for their website/newsletter or something?
Advertise their brand anwhere you can- putting a sign in your parked car at races, wearing a polo with their logo off the bike, referring as many people as possible to them?

Basically what advertising can YOU get for the store that you can access as being a sponsored rider- local paper article, weblog or anything like that.

I turned people down as soon as I saw "I need a bike and clothing and will ride for your store", umm hello? Any old chump can do that for me, so what makes you special/different and value for my money? Cas often I don't have a lot marketing money and so many people come with their cap in hand.