Sponsorship Part II

I've been speaking with several racers lately about sponsors. It's amazing to me just how many do not check in with their sponsors during the season. Sponsors want to hear how you're doing. Good and bad. They are investing time and money to support your racing career the least you can do is talk to them once a month or so.

Every sponsor is different in how they prefer you correspond. This is one of the first things you should ask about when offered a sponsorship. Call? Mail? Email? Stop by the shop? How often? Now follow through! Give them your results and pictures (mine or yours doesn't matter). If you are using their products let them know what you think. If there is a problem with a product point it out; tactfully. And last of all send a proper thank you note/card at the end of the season. (I have really cool ones coming out soon)

You asked for the sponsorship; now do your part to keep it.

Team PBP 2009

11 new racers have been added to the PBP roster. To all who applied: thank you and if you didn't make it this time please try again next season. You are all excellent racers and are very deserving of sponsorship.

See the Sponsored Rider page of the website for more on these racers.

Welcome to Team PBP

Thomas Borders: MAORA
Blake Diesser: Hare Scramble
Paige Garecht: Hare Scramble
Dillon Hall: MX
Jarred Hall: Hare Scramble
Lee Lankutis: Hare Scramble/MX
Gage Noblitt: MX
Stanley Stables: AHRMA MX
Ryan Shull: MX
Aaron Thompson: MX
Shelby Thompson: MX

Returning Racers

Dustin Anderson: MX
Carter Gordon: MX
Grayson Hall: MX
Cody McMurrary: MX
Charles Nice: MX
Derek Toberman: Hare Scramble/MX

Sponsorship

It's that time of year again. I have received 15 resumes so far with a few days left to go before the deadline. It will be a very tough decision on who to sponsor. I wish I could take them all as they each are deserving in their own way. Unfortunately that just isn't possible. Time and money only go so far.

Many looking for sponsorships see a photographer as not really necessary. A photographer can't help with parts, bikes, etc. right? Yea, but your other sponsors want to see you in action. Most cannot be at your races. I take it a step farther. The Sponsored Rider page of my web site will be expanding next season. I hope to be able to give riders the exposure they need with their sponsors. It takes so much time keeping bikes running, training, practice, travel, etc. that you just don't have time to maintain a proper web presence. I want to help fill that gap. It will not take the place of keeping in touch personally with your sponsors. That is an absolute must do for all who have sponsors. They want to hear the good and the bad. Stay in touch on a regular basis. Even it's Grandma and Grandpa!

Am I different than other photographers? I sure hope so. Promoting racers and racing in general is what I want even more than catching the perfect shot.

First time blogger

This blogging thing is new to me, but thought I'd give it a shot.

Just getting things set up for now. Check back and have a glimpse into the life of an off road racing photographer.