Whether we like it or not, skateboarding, was and will always be affected by corporate sponsorship. And while there are few skaters that do not seek sponsorship for philosophical reason, many will want to have a sponsor so they can make a living. Getting sponsored has many perks, and depending on the sponsor, different freebies are available for the skater. Although there are many sponsors out there, it is very difficult to land one. But for those who want it more than others, it’s not impossible.
The first thing that you should do is to skate in a high level. All sponsors want their skaters to be one of the best if not the hottest skater out there. But all that talent will be useless if nobody notices it or sees it. That is why you should hook-up with a good photographer and filmer. Most photographers send pictures to different magazines, and the gnarlier the tricks you make, the more that you will get noticed and the higher the probability that your photo will get published.
A good filmer can also help you do a good “sponsor me” video that you can send to different companies that you want sponsorship on. Also, most sponsored skaters rip at their local spot, so be sure that you will always be there. Who knows, a pro or a scout might drop by. Most sponsored skaters have shops sponsor them first, so building rapport with the owners of these shops can help you be on your way to a sponsorship program.
The best thing that you can do is to enter contests and competitions. Although most skaters feel that they don’t do any good at contests, you should try. This will help you get noticed especially if you win. The more contests you enter, the greater the possibility of you getting spotted. Another thing that you can do is use the internet. Post your vids on YouTube or other social media. There’s a chance that your vid can go viral. Also, moving to a city with a lot of pros can be beneficial.
There are several ways to get sponsored, but the most important thing to remember is keeping at it and never stop improving. The better you get, the more chances you will have of getting sponsored.
