how do you get sponsored?

Find products you current use, you like, and you can speak with experience about. Talk to those companies, ask them to help you out. Don't tell them what they need to do, accept whatever they offer.

If your friends company has nothing to do with triathlons, there is no expectation that they are even interested in sponsoring a triathlete. What value are you offering them by wearing a jersey with their name on it, especially if it has nothing to do with the sport? Is it reasonable that someone in the triathlon will see your jersey and buy something from his company? Sponsorship is about offering a value to the sponsor, not about you getting free stuff.

2 years ago I read a posting on Xtri.com saying that ZOOT was looking for top AG athletes to be part of their Ultra Triathlon Team. It would be 25 AG men and women as well as a few pro's. I applied, provided a race resume, and they accepted me and I have been with them since. This year, I referred Rob, psuedoyams, to them and they accepted him on the team as well. So keep an eye out for these kind of "team" situations.

Thanks for that insight. I never even thought about trying to get some kind of a sponsor. I work for ConAgra Foods and they are always trying to promote healthy living and well I can’t think of anything healthier them doing tris... I might talk to a few people and see if they would be willing to sponsor me…

Edited by mindymin21 2009-08-04 9:54 AM

Be aware that most "sponsorships" aren't "free stuff".  Most of them are discounts on the stuff that the sponsor sells.  Perhaps a 30% discount on Rudy Project or a 25% discount on 2XU (I am just making these discounts up - I do not know what discounts, if any, these companies offer).  They are not the same level of sponsorship that we relate to the pro's and elites of the sport. 
Many times, you start out at level 1 (whatever that particular company calls that level) and as your performance warrants or your public exposure gains them more headlines, you may advance in their system.

If you are interested in getting into these type of sponsorships, then I would check out www.loopd.com.  It is basically a cleearing house of sponsors looking for athletes that they can get onto a discount program.  It is a win-win situation.  They sell more stuff just because they make it easier for you to afford while gaining an advantage in the market (are you going to buy a 2XU wetsuit or a Zoot wetsuit when 2XU is going to give you 30% off) and they are hoping they will get some grasss roots support from you and possiblt some podium time.  Some go as far as telliing you that your friends are welcomed to use your discount. 

Bike shops often have teams. What team jerseys do you see at the races you participate in? Ask team members what the deal is. I race for my LBS. Team uniforms are purchased at cost. At the end of the season, team members receive a store certificate for either a percentage of our in-store spending for the year, or the total of our race fees. Since this is money I'd spend anyway, it's a good deal. We also get sales deals that are not available to the general public. It's also nice to have a group of people to train, race, and socialize with. There are a few other bike shops with teams in the area, as well as some tri clubs whose jerseys I've noticed. Take a look around. Talk to people. Good luck!

That's true for a lot of sponsorships, including my own, although we do receive a lot of free stuff and pro pricing on product of the other sponsors of the team such as GU, Suunto, Zipp, Orbea.

Edited by bryancd 2009-08-04 1:40 PM