Hey, looking for a sponsor? Want a free bike and all your expenses paid? Free uniform, major media coverage, the works! Well, get in line. And not my line! I have nothing to give you. Well, maybe, how about some advice about sponsorship?

You'd be amazed at how often I get e-mails asking, "How do I get a sponsor?" or better yet, "Will you sponsor me?" (For those of you wanting sponsorship from bmXtreme.com, er, well, what product or service do you think we have to give you? Maybe someday, but for now, you'd better look elsewhere.) OK, back to biz. How to get a sponsor.

It would help if you were a nationally-ranked amateur, or a pro who is a consistent main maker. But since most of us or not, here are some tips:

START OFF SMALL
You are not going to get a factory ride right away, especially if you're a novice or intermediate. Accept that. A lot of bike shops have great grass roots teams, so you should take advantage of them. For the most part, you'll get a uniform, discounts on products, and usually free bike maintenance. I'd say that's pretty good. And if your local shop doesn't have a team, they'll probably want to put one together after you tell them the great exposure a bike shop team will give them: logos on uniforms that everyone will see at the track, other kids and parents asking about the store, your friends buying from the shop, and the warm feeling in their heart that is a direct result of knowing that they're helping out some deserving kids.

GO BIGGER
If you want sponsorship from a BMX company (bike/frame manufacturer, clothing designer, accessories manufacturer, etc.) then you need to tell them, not so much what you want from them, but what you are going to give them! Make it worth the company's time and effort to sponsor you. Tell them that you not only want to ride their product, but that you want to represent it, which means doing the following: handing out stickers/brochures to everyone at the races; speaking highly of the product and giving information on how to purchase it; always keeping the product clean and in top working condition (gotta represent!); and basically always making time to talk and pimp the stuff. That's what it's all about.

BIG TIME
If you have secured a factory sponsorship, then you are most likely a very good rider. Please keep this in mind though: You are not out there just to race; you are out there to sell product. Just like a Calvin Klein model (as emaciated and disgusting as most of them are) walks the runway to sell clothing, you race around the track to sell your sponsors' products. So don't just go to the races and disappear between motos. Make yourself available to anyone and everyone who wants more information about the stuff you use. And if no one comes up to you, go up to someone with a sticker and start putting on the charm. No one ever said pimpin' is easy.

Whatever you do, whatever you secure, remember you ride your bike because you love to. It's not about what you can get for free or how cool you can look in a uniform. Just go out and kick ass.

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