Dumb idea? Free sponsor offer.

[Tony.OK]

Ok here's an idea I've been thinking about.
I've not had much luck really finding any decent ( read cash ) sponsorship and I'm at the stage where I've pretty much accepted the fact I'll be paying for my own racing whenever I can afford it.
My idea was to offer "Free signage" on my bike etc......Free sponsorship if ya like.

I think I've got a reasonable record in my short racing career, and try to be proffesional..................I did say try Eddie!

The way I see it is if I can do something for someone then maybe one day the favour may come back.

[svs]

I'd say you are selling yourself short.

By all means carry a logo or a sticker for someone that has done something for you or a friend (LG anyone?) but I don't believe that having a logo plastered over the side of you're bike would make you look any more professional. nice clean paint job and the bike will look great.

There was also the issue in BSB (not entirely sure it is relevant here but..) where one of the teams basically couldn't get title sponsorship so gave away the the title sponsorship for a very reduced price. Now it's getting harder for other teams to get the money they wanted because they said look we can get xxx for yyy dollars.

[Tony.OK]

I'd say you are selling yourself short.

By all means carry a logo or a sticker for someone that has done something for you or a friend (LG anyone?) but I don't believe that having a logo plastered over the side of you're bike would make you look any more professional. nice clean paint job and the bike will look great.

There was also the issue in BSB (not entirely sure it is relevant here but..) where one of the teams basically couldn't get title sponsorship so gave away the the title sponsorship for a very reduced price. Now it's getting harder for other teams to get the money they wanted because they said look we can get xxx for yyy dollars.

Its not about looking professional at all Phil, just getting a name out there.
I see your point about xxx for yyy.
I'm not a young beginner so not sure how long I can do this for, and at the moment the outlook financially is looking pretty crap, so if someone can get something of use and get interested in our great sport then they might be prepared to front up next time........................just a thought.

[svs]

Well then you already got the people who look after you in your sig. FFM Helmets, Ericksen Honda, Metzeler.

[R6_kid]

SVS is on the money, a similar thing has happened with the jobs of Airline pilots in the US. Basically some pilots sold themselves short paywise to get 'better' jobs, and the subsequent effect is that everyone else is now working those jobs for crap money when they should be getting in the order of two to three times the pay they are on.

If people don't want to pay for their stuff to be on your bike then surely they aren't genuinely interested are they? Isn't genuine interest and support what you want from a sponsor?

[Gubb]

I'll give you $50 to put a photo of my face on the side of your bike.


Your competitors will be horrified at the distraction.

[scuzeme]

I cant really see why its hard to get sponsership there are enough business owners and companies out there that enjoy motorsport i think its up to us to just become as inventive as we can in selling what we do to potential sponsers hell i dont even think you need to be that good a rider really.
My own Company basically finances my racing but i get free signwriting from Moa Signwriters , great deals from Forbes and Davies on tyres and helmets boots leathers etc reduced cost parts and labour from TSS Red Baron in Lower Hutt etc.
Tony get a picture of your bike side on and paint shop the fairing blank than sub divide the fairing into areas for advertising exposure and put a cost to each square then get off your arse and go visit some suppliers and sell your space on your bike i guarentee you could get sponsership that way.
Some people are scared that if the commit to sponsership it will be open ended but if you are just asking for a one off payment for advertising space alot of people will go for it.
I reckon that even someone like me whos not that competitive could get $5000 per side just in placing logos on the bike you just have to do the leg work and put yourself before the right people.
Dont email
Dont send Letters
Dont post here
Go out there and find it mate thats what all succesful people do.

Dont get me wrong dude im not "having a go"......well maybe i am just use your initiative and dont wait for sponsers to come rolling in becuase they wont unless your a top rider in the Nationals Comp mate.

[piston broke]

so what sorta money are you talking about per year to get a reasonable size logo on your bike?

[CHOPPA]

Id say its a good idea, i went to a few trackdays with Willie and James relized they had a bike shopish started buying my stuff from them and tried promoting there business just cause they were good c*%ts and in return they gave me a bike!

If you can do something for someones business and they see some reward they are more likely to help you out in return. If you say give me 5k and ill put a sticker on my bike then its gonna be a bit hard

[Tony.OK]

I cant really see why its hard to get sponsership there are enough business owners and companies out there that enjoy motorsport i think its up to us to just become as inventive as we can in selling what we do to potential sponsers hell i dont even think you need to be that good a rider really.
My own Company basically finances my racing but i get free signwriting from Moa Signwriters , great deals from Forbes and Davies on tyres and helmets boots leathers etc reduced cost parts and labour from TSS Red Baron in Lower Hutt etc.
Tony get a picture of your bike side on and paint shop the fairing blank than sub divide the fairing into areas for advertising exposure and put a cost to each square then get off your arse and go visit some suppliers and sell your space on your bike i guarentee you could get sponsership that way.
Some people are scared that if the commit to sponsership it will be open ended but if you are just asking for a one off payment for advertising space alot of people will go for it.
I reckon that even someone like me whos not that competitive could get $5000 per side just in placing logos on the bike you just have to do the leg work and put yourself before the right people.
Dont email
Dont send Letters
Dont post here
Go out there and find it mate thats what all succesful people do.

Dont get me wrong dude im not "having a go"......well maybe i am just use your initiative and dont wait for sponsers to come rolling in becuase they wont unless your a top rider in the Nationals Comp mate.
Its not like I haven't tried alot of those things dude, I've also annoyed the shit out of any friend or aquaintence I could think of, maybe its different in a smaller city...........I dunno?

so what sorta money are you talking about per year to get a reasonable size logo on your bike?
Depends on how big and where I guess, there's also my van windows to consider as well.

Id say its a good idea, i went to a few trackdays with Willie and James relized they had a bike shopish started buying my stuff from them and tried promoting there business just cause they were good c*%ts and in return they gave me a bike!

If you can do something for someones business and they see some reward they are more likely to help you out in return. If you say give me 5k and ill put a sticker on my bike then its gonna be a bit hard

Hahaa I can't see my local giving me a bike..............You'd be in trouble if they did though mate........you seen those new Blade's smoke screen hahhaaa

[sinfull]

Its not like I haven't tried alot of those things dude, I've also annoyed the shit out of any friend or aquaintence I could think of, maybe its different in a smaller city...........I dunno?

Depends on how big and where I guess, there's also my van windows to consider as well.


Hahaa I can't see my local giving me a bike..............You'd be in trouble if they did though mate........you seen those new Blade's smoke screen hahhaaa
Stick a metzeler sticker on there bro ! If your local bike shop does ya some good deals stick theirs on, if they don't, move shop ! (ya think they might notice) SVS is right, every lil thing helps right ? cheap helmet put a sticker on ya van !
If ya work out every person who helps a little bit you'll run out of room on the van, let alone the bike !
I might be a couple of seconds (count slowly) down on your times man but in the same boat !
Hell i have absolutely plastered me mates business on the bike just to get him to come watch me !
You think you have issues lol

[sinfull]

I'll give you $50 to put a photo of my face on the side of your bike.


Your competitors will be horrified at the distraction. Carefull mate, he might be on the same track as you sometime soon !
Theres something not right with the thought of you riding beside him down the back straight just so ya can see your reflection !

[Tony.OK]

Stick a metzeler sticker on there bro ! If your local bike shop does ya some good deals stick theirs on, if they don't, move shop ! (ya think they might notice) SVS is right, every lil thing helps right ? cheap helmet put a sticker on ya van !
If ya work out every person who helps a little bit you'll run out of room on the van, let alone the bike !
I might be a couple of seconds (count s l o w l y) down on your times man but in the same boat !
Hell i have absolutely plastered me mates business on the bike just to get him to come watch me !
You think you have issues lol

Done.........done and did it bro..................:yes:

[sinfull]

Done.........done and did it bro..................:yes:
Oi !! No need to stretch it out more lol !
I'll get to race ya one day ya know !!!! Ya slow down as ya get older ya know...........Edit: oh wait (faster yeah and bolder i meant i left out a b there)

[CHOPPA]

Its not like I haven't tried alot of those things dude, I've also annoyed the shit out of any friend or aquaintence I could think of, maybe its different in a smaller city...........I dunno?

Depends on how big and where I guess, there's also my van windows to consider as well.


Hahaa I can't see my local giving me a bike..............You'd be in trouble if they did though mate........you seen those new Blade's smoke screen hahhaaa


Thats the problem... You cant just do something for someone to get something in return, you have to do it because you want to do it. I honestly wouldnt have dreamed of getting it.

Not sure why i got the LG thing but way before any LG stuff had come up and Ed had just got his sponsorship i offered switch to LG and buy all my air con units through him so it showed his sponsors he was earning his keep, there was no motive behind it for me just that i saw LG were doing a good thing and i wanted to help ed out, the favour has been returned tenfold....

[Tony.OK]

Thats the problem... You cant just do something for someone to get something in return, you have to do it because you want to do it. I honestly wouldnt have dreamed of getting it.

Not sure why i got the LG thing but way before any LG stuff had come up and Ed had just got his sponsorship i offered switch to LG and buy all my air con units through him so it showed his sponsors he was earning his keep, there was no motive behind it for me just that i saw LG were doing a good thing and i wanted to help ed out, the favour has been returned tenfold....

Hahaa I was actually thinking of asking Ed if he thought LG might like a free rider with bike, no strings attached.........................I just wanna be in your tent lol............nothing to do with any Brolly dollies, the Missus might get katty:innocent:

[sinfull]

nothing to do with any Brolly dollies, :
It's the tui aye ?? Yeah right !

[CHOPPA]

Hahaa I was actually thinking of asking Ed if he thought LG might like a free rider with bike, no strings attached.........................I just wanna be in your tent lol............nothing to do with any Brolly dollies, the Missus might get katty:innocent:

You wait till you see our truck....

[Tony.OK]

You wait till you see our truck....

Ohh really.................where do I send my fairings for the paintjob?

[piston broke]

Depends on how big and where I guess, there's also my van windows to consider as well.[/SIZE]

ok tony,
so what would i get for my $1k investment?

[sinfull]

ok tony,
so what would i get for my $1k investment?
................

[scrivy]

I reckon that even someone like me whos not that competitive could get $5000 per side just in placing logos on the bike.

Why don't ya do it for him and keep 1/2 of it for yourself as a commission??
A win/win situation.

[Tony.OK]

................

Mate you are truley a funny bastard........................laughing is good:laugh:

[Tony.OK]

ok tony,
so what would i get for my $1k investment?

PM'd ya mate.

[Tony.OK]

Why don't ya do it for him and keep 1/2 of it for yourself as a commission??
A win/win situation.

......................60/40???????:rolleyes:

[johan]

Just paint "Below" next to your number plate, and you shall receive!

[Tony.OK]

Just paint "Below" next to your number plate, and you shall receive!

Lol nice mate............you pay the legal fee's for me aye?:msn-wink:

[sinfull]

Just paint "Below" next to your number plate, and you shall receive!
This man has idea's worth investigating ! Shame we won't remember a thing in the morning !

Twas a shame that 1.08 we got ya on the stop watch at wasn't an official recorded time Tony, Be worth a lot more a side then lol !

[Rob Taylor]

Ok here's an idea I've been thinking about.
I've not had much luck really finding any decent ( read cash ) sponsorship and I'm at the stage where I've pretty much accepted the fact I'll be paying for my own racing whenever I can afford it.
My idea was to offer "Free signage" on my bike etc......Free sponsorship if ya like.

I think I've got a reasonable record in my short racing career, and try to be proffesional..................I did say try Eddie!

The way I see it is if I can do something for someone then maybe one day the favour may come back.

Hmm,If only you rode Bears. :no: Far better pit tent to hang out in too

[sinfull]

Hmm,If only you rode Bears. :no: Far better pit tent to hang out in too
Trip fall bump opps sorry hi !

[Tony.OK]

Hmm,If only you rode Bears. :no: Far better pit tent to hang out in too

If I popped a cap off does that make my bike a triple? And a Honda is a Triumph in engineering:yes:

[3umph]

You only want to advertise people or products that are helping you....

also unless you are in the signage game don't supply the signs yourself as signs can mount up depending on what is to be done... only time you should supply is if it is a good package offered that well covers the cost of signage...

Ive done signs for racecars and the cost of the signs have just about come to what they were first given... dont sell yourself short...

Most business have there own signwriter that know and have there logos so cheaper to get them to do it then start from scratch...

At the end of the day anyone that makes your racing or traveling cheaper, easier, donates products or services or helps out is a sponsor

[slowpoke]

I dunno Tony, it's a bit of a long shot to sticker the bike up in the hope that they may one day return some luvin' your way........but it may just work out if you've got someone sitting on the fence and nearly, maybe, almost prepared to get involved.

If you had someone who was seriously considering helping you out but won't quite stump up with some cash it may just push them over the edge. Sticker up the bike, and invite them along to see you and the show in all their glory. Seeing themselves as part of it, and the ins and outs of actually getting on track might just be enough to get 'em to reach into their pocket and become a part of it themselves. Good luck.

[scuzeme]

If you can do something for someones business and they see some reward they are more likely to help you out in return. If you say give me 5k and ill put a sticker on my bike then its gonna be a bit hard

Yeah Chops i agree with this and it does work both ways Metzeler for instance offer you a contract for the year and you plug them for the year and you buy their tyres for the year at a good price.
I think the logo on the fairing idea would work well if Tony (he may well have already) got out there and said something like "we have three sizes the $200 doller space the $500 dollar space the $2000 dollar space" in return you put the advertising on and buy product from them and plug them everyone one wins.
Its not the big companies that are going to finance this thing at grass roots level its the small companies the business owner that loves to watch motorsports on a sunday afternoon, i believe they will part with $200, $500 or even a couple if K if you put it before them, the problem is most of us are not salesmen and dont have the confidence to ask stangers for money.
On the other hand look at Marcus (Biggles) hes having trouble financing his racing at the mo but he is actively going out there getting sponsers.

Lastly i myself as a business owner would be prepared to help anyone if they came and saw me about sponsership it may only be a couple of hundred but if you got 10 people comitting $200 to $500 for the season then you are making a series dent in the cost of your racing for the season.
It is way to unfortunite that alot of good talent out there cannot hone their skills and improve becuase they cannot afford it, i guess if you have the passion you will find the cash somewhere aye.

[Tony.OK]

Just paint "Below" next to your number plate, and you shall receive!


This man has idea's worth investigating ! Shame we won't remember a thing in the morning !

Twas a shame that 1.08 we got ya on the stop watch at wasn't an official recorded time Tony, Be worth a lot more a side then lol !

Sorry guys just checked with MNZ............alcomahol isn't allowed as a sponsor in NZ:argh:

Shame.............would've been cool to see what might've come about.

[johan]

Wasn't Tui one of the sponsors at the Cemetery Circuit?

Are they allowed to sponsor events but not riders?

[Tony.OK]

Wasn't Tui one of the sponsors at the Cemetery Circuit?

Are they allowed to sponsor events but not riders?

Just had a look and you're dead right me ole mate:oi-grr:......................back to the phone!


Edit: hold the phone.........now its a maybe:rolleyes:
After asking why Wanga's used Tui and the Hamilton street races have Lion Red :puke: as their sponsors they have to check with the CEO, so will hear back on Monday once Paul's back.

[sinfull]

Mmmmmm boubon fuelled !

[CHOPPA]

Jim Beam sponsor lots of motorsport, a freestyle mx team but i doubt there mnz members.

I wouldnt have asked!

There was actually a 250gp bike i think it was anyway, racing clubmen at the nats with Tui all over his bike he had a number on it something like 2e as well

[Tony.OK]

I dunno Tony, it's a bit of a long shot to sticker the bike up in the hope that they may one day return some luvin' your way........but it may just work out if you've got someone sitting on the fence and nearly, maybe, almost prepared to get involved.

If you had someone who was seriously considering helping you out but won't quite stump up with some cash it may just push them over the edge. Sticker up the bike, and invite them along to see you and the show in all their glory. Seeing themselves as part of it, and the ins and outs of actually getting on track might just be enough to get 'em to reach into their pocket and become a part of it themselves. Good luck.
Could be thought of as sort of a trial or apprenticeship huh?


Lastly i myself as a business owner would be prepared to help anyone if they came and saw me about sponsership it may only be a couple of hundred but if you got 10 people comitting $200 to $500 for the season then you are making a series dent in the cost of your racing for the season.

Ohh now you've gone and done it.............................can I send my bruv around? He lives down there:laugh:


Jim Beam sponsor lots of motorsport, a freestyle mx team but i doubt there mnz members.

I wouldnt have asked!



But imagine jacking it all up only to be told when ya turn up to race you ain't allowed that advertising...................could be a whole can of worms aye?

[Shaun P]

Tell ya what you could try.. offer the free?(low cost maybe) signage but with performance incentives for eg 1st place $500 2nd place $300...per round placings etc

[Tony.OK]

Tell ya what you could try.. offer the free?(low cost maybe) signage but with performance incentives for eg 1st place $500 2nd place $300...per round placings etc

Thats a good idea dude................:yes:

[GIXser]

................

ii was literally on the floor laughing.. actually would have been hilarious as i was on the shitta....:bye:

[GIXser]

seriously tony.. knock on enough doors and someone will answer...like choppa said you have to be genuine, and i believe you are!
it will happen.. keep knocking dude i like the plan you have come up with, i also truly believe in give and you shall recieve, i never believed it a few years ago, then i started going out of my way for people, and voila... it happens and so far it keeps on happening. even bigger and brighter things.

[Mishy]

My two cents worth - don't carry signage for anyone who isn't contribting/helping in some way. Why ? well if i paid you $1000 hoping to get exposure on your bike, and then found you were advertising a product from a company that paid you nothing, i'd be pissed. The biggest thing I think we need to remember is that we have to give something back when money or product comes our way. We have to make sure we work hard for the sponsors we do have ( not many in most of our cases) and preserve the value of what we have to offer in return for their support. Ever notice that International cricketers sometimes use bats without any stickering on it ? thats just because they had to pay for it, so they won't advertise the product.
I'll go back to sleep now . . . . . . . . . . :bye:

[scracha]

I'm not a young beginner so not sure how long I can do this for, and at the moment the outlook financially is looking pretty crap

You're right Tony, you're not a young beginner looking to make fame and fortune from racing so there's no point in ending up seriuosly in the red. Enjoy it on whatever budget you can and if it ends up being too expensive then drop to a cheaper class.

That said, I was farkin impressed with you at Manfield PMCC and it'd be a real loss for you to not have sponsorship and be competing.

[The Pastor]

how about winning more race's ;)

[Tony.OK]

how about winning more race's ;)

Hahaa...............why hasn't someone told me that before........might've tried harder last year:bleh:

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

This is meant in the nicest possible way.

Realistically, how much do you expect a sponsership arrangement will relieve your racing budget? I mean will saving $20 off retail here and there keep you in the superbike class?

My basis for this question is that no one gets anything for free in the motorcycle game. Even the so called "factory" guys live on the bones of their arse. There is in fact, no such thing as factory in NZ. You still need your own money. How much money do you need to keep racing?

Wishing you all the best

I think that doing someone a favour by putting some stickers on your bike could lead to the favour being returned in the future, so could be worth it.

[Tony.OK]

This is meant in the nicest possible way.

Realistically, how much do you expect a sponsership arrangement will relieve your racing budget? I mean will saving $20 off retail here and there keep you in the superbike class?
No, but cash or product that can be sold for funds would, or having entry fee's covered for eg.
My basis for this question is that no one gets anything for free in the motorcycle game. Even the so called "factory" guys live on the bones of their arse. There is in fact, no such thing as factory in NZ. You still need your own money. How much money do you need to keep racing?
Having to not pay for a bike would make a huge difference in having available cash, I've spent alot on mine which hasn't helped, now my leathers have holes from the bones poking through hahaa.
Wishing you all the best
Cheers man....
I think that doing someone a favour by putting some stickers on your bike could lead to the favour being returned in the future, so could be worth it........................

[Shaun P]

The best chance for real sponsorship would be more in a team scenario so maybe try hookin up with a 600 rider or similar bike as yrs - use the same products etc IMO

[Frenchy]

what did you find out about liquid sponsors?? I never knew they couldn't sponsor us! I was sponsored by still Vodka for one show, but that wasn't a MNZ ran event. they even gave us 30 odd bottles to drink after! don't remember much after that except i don't like Vodka now :puke:

[Tony.OK]

The best chance for real sponsorship would be more in a team scenario so maybe try hookin up with a 600 rider or similar bike as yrs - use the same products etc IMO
That had crossed my mind actually............not many Honderr 600 guys out there but a few that share similar product sponsors, I did see Carey's bike (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-208883801.htm)on TM today, now if a 600 Yam rider brought that for me i'd do naughty things for repayment:msn-wink:

what did you find out about liquid sponsors?? I never knew they couldn't sponsor us! I was sponsored by still Vodka for one show, but that wasn't a MNZ ran event. they even gave us 30 odd bottles to drink after! don't remember much after that except i don't like Vodka now :puke:

I'm a bit in the air mate................contacted Paul Pav, he said no probs with it.
42below have been brought by Bicardi who have a "policy" of no motorsport marketing.
Export (read DB breweries) state they can't due to Govt legislation, but what that is I don't know yet.

[Shaun P]

[QUOTE=Tony.OK;1990036]That had crossed my mind actually............not many Honderr 600 guys out there but a few that share similar product sponsors, I did see Carey's bike (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-208883801.htm)on TM today, now if a 600 Yam rider brought that for me i'd do naughty things for repayment:msn-wink:

QUOTE]

Didnt say it had to be a Honda 600, get yre head out of the sand haha

[Tony.OK]

Didnt say it had to be a Honda 600, get yre head out of the sand haha

Yeah I got that...............by similar ya meant 2 wheels aye?:bleh:

[R1madness]

here is how it goes from the other side of the fence.

I get 50 people a year asking for money towards their racing effort (road dirt speedway everyone wants it). Some bring CVs others bring their mum. Some expect help, some just want it, others deserve it. My job is to decide who the most deserving person or group of people are and how much i can help in return for what they can do for my business. Usually i offer no cash but will do free product (with the distributors backing) or mechanical work.

Most of the guys i help are racing at a national level but i do assist some younger racers at a reigonal level as well.

How do i pick......
Show me you can......
run a professional looking and acting crew. Turn up to prize giving. Thank the sponcers in person. Do press releases to the paper and radio after each meeting mentioning your main sponcer(s). Bring some friends to the track to watch. Ask your sponcers to attend special meetings and make them feel part of the team. Park your van on main arterial routes when you are not using it the sponcers love to see their logo out there. But most of all you have to persuade me that you will do all this better than the last person i helped out.
Remember that small companys have small budgets. Dont hit them up for sums of cash it will just send them into convulsions. Talk to them about your racing budget and see where or how they can help.
Good luck with your racing.

[Tony.OK]

Thanks to all for your input...........................everyones comments have been much appreciated.
At the moment its looking like its all been in vein just for now.
Given the current financial hole I've dug trying to keep going its very much looking like I won't be out there much at all this year.
I will still be trying to obtain some help, but until work returns to proper hrs its gonna be a quiet winter:doh: