| How to Get Sponsored Or, How to Not Get Sponsored It's an old skateboarding cliché, but it remains true: if you're good, you'll get noticed. Getting noticed can lead to free boards and shoes and clothes and trips around the world to ride your skateboard in front of adoring fans and of course, these days, lots of money! If you want to speed up this process, there are ways to go about it. Here are some tips. Be realistic and reasonable about your skateboarding skills. Just because you can do a few tricks, and you've been skating for two years now, doesn't mean anything. A good way to measure yourself against others is to watch skateboarding videos and compare. Skateboarding doesn't have to be competitive, but there are unwritten standards of style and ability. The lines of what makes a skater "good enough" to be sponsored aren't set in stone; they're moved all the time, but if you aren't sure, it's a good idea to see where you stand. Pick someone's video part and compare. If you can't match all the tricks in anyone's video part on the company you're trying to get on, it might be a rough road. On the other hand, like I said before, there are no rules, and many companies really want to avoid skaters who do the same tricks as their existing riders, so if you're different than the company's riders and still ripping, it might be a plus. Keep in mind, though that there are pre-existing standards of excellence at each brand of skateboard (or shoe, or wheel, or whatever.) Also, most companies want amateurs who already skate like pros but don't have the name recognition. Is that you? If you think you measure up, then you're ready to make the move. Skating with members from a certain team is a good way to catch their attention. If you're at a demo and you're skating well, of course you'll be noticed. Let your skating do your talking. Don't approach people you don't know with such an overzealous attitude that you'll make them wary of you. Self-confidence is good, but cockiness isn't. If you want to speak with somebody, talk to him like you would any skater. Leave out the stupid bit about "Holy cow, I'm actually talking to Eric Koston!" Putting most skaters on a pedestal just makes them uncomfortable. Leave the "Oh my god, you're my favorite skateboarder!" and the "Can I have your autograph twenty times?" to the little kids and the kooks. An autograph is OK, maybe, but again, be respectful about it. When skating at a demo, one thing you don't want to do is to try to one-up somebody. In case you're really clueless, one-upping is the name for trying to out-do the pros (or anyone) at a demo. A one-upper will watch to see what trick the pro is trying, then, before the pro makes the trick, the local, who usually has skated the park before, does the trick. All of a sudden all the locals' friends are slapping him on the back, telling him, "Yeah, you're better than Geoff Rowley, dude!" This accomplishes several things. First, it does get them noticed. But unless the guy has complete skills, one trick does not a skateboarder make. Second, it usually turns people off. Although some people are able to laugh at this stuff, most skaters usually give (and expect in return) some show of respect, and this isn't a respectful move. Third, and this is a direct result of number two, in most cases it shows people you're a kook. No one wants kooks on their team. So one-upping isn't a good thing. Another way to get hooked up, especially if you live away from areas where your favorite team riders skate, is the good ol' "Sponsor Me" video. This method works pretty well if you've got what it takes, and lots of people, especially those from outside California, have started with a good video. Here're some things to keep in mind when making a video: Don't make a video that wouldn't fit into the company you're sending it to's latest video. If you send a video to Toy Machine, make sure that the level of skating fits in with Welcome To Hell or Jump Off A Building. If it doesn't, why in hell would they sponsor you? Those videos are old, and the skating in it is even older, so all those guys are even better now. You don't necessarily have to worry about the filming quality, (although it wouldn't hurt) but the skating is what counts. When you watch skateboarding videos, notice how the cuts are short and there's not a lot of long bullshit before and after each trick. Edit your video the same way. Music is a nice touch, but won't help bad skating, just like a poor editing job and bad filming can't hide a skaters' natural talent. And that's the thing to remember: the video is just a tool for showing skateboarding ability, not a substitute for it. Although most young skateboarders would be happy to ride for any company who offered, it might be better in the long run to pick a company and be loyal to them as you get better. There's nothing more stupid than sending a video and a letter (see below) to a company saying "I love Birdhouse and I'd do anything to ride for you!" But then, throughout the video, the kid's riding Real boards and World Industries boards and wearing Flip tee shirts. If you want to ride for Birdhouse because you think their team is the best and the boards are the best, then buy their boards, wear their shirts, (at least when you're filming your sponsor-me video) and act like you ride for them already. (However, don't lie and tell your friends that you do. This is another syndrome: kids who buy a bunch of product from one company just so they can tell their friends they're getting hooked up!) Send them a video. If you get no response or they tell you they aren't interested, believe in yourself enough to stick with it. A year later, send them another video. They may remember your name and they'll notice how much better you've gotten, and then you'll have their attention. They'll see that you really believe in their company and in yourself, and you'll be on your way. If you're good enough, that is. But look at it the other way. If you think that Birdhouse is the best company (the "bomb" as Steve Berra wouldn't say), why would you want to ride for another company? Why would you sell yourself short? That wouldn't be good for you or the company you ended up riding for. This is a good time to remember to be realistic, though, and Mr. Realism and Mr. Idealism are not always friendly to each other. If you'll never get on Birdhouse, and World Industries makes you an offer, shine the ideals and go for the gusto! When you send your video, send a letter with it telling about who you are, how old you are, where you live, and maybe some other things, like what your goals are, or if you're really funny looking and will promise to provide hours of comic relief in the tour van, or whatever. Make sure your video is clearly labeled. Most companies get handfuls of these things every day! Also, go out and spend $2.99 on damn new videotape. More than one company has gotten a phone call from angry parents who had their favorite family memories taped over and sent away by their skateboarder son for his sponsor me tape. Lastly, remember, this is skateboarding, and so there are no rules, so only use this as a guideline. Or don't use it at all! Have fun.
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