News
Sponsors Round 2 (12-17-07)
Wow! I can't believe what the past few months have held. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows for me. But hey, that's life, right? Since my last article I have quit my job, taken a new job, bought a brand new bike, moved into an apartment, and have been racing more than ever!
In this article I want to, once again, focus primarily on sponsorship. In my last article, I explained my personal opinion/theory on Web sites like sponsorhouse.com. In this article, I want to focus on how to obtain local sponsors and what they can do for you.
The first thing you need to know about a sponsor is that it isn't about you and what they'll do for you. It's about them. For the average rider, sponsors aren't necessarily looking for a rider that's winning. Now, don't think that this means they don't WANT a rider that's winning, they do, but they are really looking for someone to represent their product well.
Sponsors are looking for kids, teens, and adults with good attitudes. That is the biggest thing you have to realize. It is all about your attitude. If James Stewart gave all his fans the cold shoulder, didn't sign autographs, didn't give interviews, and just all around kept to himself, would you really want to buy Fox gear when Thor-sponsored Ryan Villipoto is staying at the track until every fan has an autograph? Maybe, maybe not. But sponsors aren't trying to take a chance. They want you to go out and solicit their product with a good attitude. Most sponsors also expect their products and stickers visible at all times while you're riding and want their names on all race entry sheets.
So what's the best way to get a sponsor? Talk to them. I have received more help from more people just by talking to them. I guarantee there are MANY faster riders out there that don't have near the support I do because they let their riding do the talking. This doesn't always work. You need to find sponsors, meet them, and tell them why they need you as a rider. Sponsors would much rather help out a front runner in the Novice class who is a class act and a well-rounded, nice person, rather than a midpack Intermediate rider that they don't know.
Do whatever you can to talk your sponsors up. If you can get 5 people to buy their product throughout the year, you're doing a good job. Just make sure you do your personal best to keep a professional and nice attitude at the track at all times. Your attitude reflects your sponsors.
I think it would be hypocritical of me to write a whole article on getting your sponsors names out there, and not do the same for myself, so I want to thank everyone that is helping me out throughout the 2008 motocross season. Thanks Keith and John at JM Racing, Sean Lynch at Houston Yamaha, Pat and Tom Landels at The Holeshot, Keith and Steve at Humble Kawasaki, Mike Hill at MSR/Answer, Greg Hethcox at Ozz Mods Graphics, Michael Sullivan at EmbroidMe, GemStar Construction, and my Dad.
Now get off the computer and get to the track and make a name for yourself!
DJ Burrus #106
See ya at the track!
DJ Burrus #106
DJ.Burrus_Jmracing@yahoo.com
Sponsorship: The Greatest Thing on Earth or the Root of All Evil? (9-12-07)
Hey, guys.
With the 2008 season closing in fast, the one word is on every racer's mind: sponsorship. Rider? start to go on the hunt for the best deals on bikes, parts, gear, and anything else motocross related.
But what does it really take to get sponsored? It used to be you'd go to races, do well, and people would offer you support. Soon after, racers took it into their own hands by creating resumes and sending them off to shops. And now we have sites like www.sponsorhouse.com, www.mxsponsor.com, and others that will build your resume for you with just a few clicks—for a small fee of course. And so with this small fee, and a few hours of work, you've got your name out there, and you're on your way to free swag right? Wrong.
In fact, the chances of you getting free swag are slim to none, unless you include the t-shirt or hat they send you when you buy $100 or more of their product. I'm sorry, friends, that is not free. They probably just made close to $60 off the product you just bought, and sent you a $5 hat in return. But hey, look on the bright side, you get to sign a real contract, binding you to a real company that's willing to give you 15% off their stuff! Cool!
But as cool as it is to tell all your buddies you're a sponsored motocross rider, you really are getting the short end of the stick. See, this sponsorship you've just received is more of propaganda than anything. For those of you who do not know what propaganda is, let me define it for you. Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of large numbers of people. See, when you sign that contract, you think you're getting a really good deal, but in all reality, you're not saving much.
The big companies are doing this for a reason. Their main goal is to get you, the consumer, to buy their product. And what better way to do it then to make you sign a contract agreeing not to use any other company's product and agreeing to only buy their product from them.
But these so-called sponsorships are really a lose-lose situation for you and all the shops in your area. See, you get bound into this contract and get your 15% off and then pay it all back in shipping. Watch. $100 of product + %15 off for sponsorship = a $85 bill. Then add the $15 shipping cost back into the equation. You're back at $100. So now you have the big companies getting your money, you're not really saving anything, and all your local shop is losing money.
The point of this addition to the LMX Chronicles is this: You're shooting yourself in the foot with your sponsorships. You'll spend the same amount of money on the same product at a local dealership versus from your sponsor. But in the end, if all you do is buy directly from the company, how is the local shop supposed to make money? They don't.
So please, guys, go to your local shop, turn in your resume, ask for a racer's discount, and buy your gear from them. Support those who support your community.
And with that, I'm going to leave you guys with some pictures from the Freestone National. And please feel free to email me about anything mx related. Who knows, maybe your opinion will be up for discussion in the next issue!
Don't forget to check out my site: https://1zero6.photoreflect.com.
Welcome to the LMX Chronicles! (9-05-07)
When Keith first asked me to write this article, I was ecstatic. I felt like it was the perfect job for me. I get to write my own column, as often as I want, and share my opinions on anything and everything going on in the local Motocross community (which is what LMX stands for by the way).
And so now I sit here, typing away at what could easily be a two page column, thinking about what all I need to say in my first "issue".
I'll start by introducing myself for those of you who do not know me. My name is DJ Burrus, I am 17 years old, and I was born on October 6, 1989. I fell in love with the sport of motocross early on, always listening to the stories my dad would share about what it was like racing mx all through high school. Between the stories and all the magazines lying around the house, I knew one day I would be a motocrosser. And as fate would have it, one summer day when I was 12, my dad and I walked into a Yamaha shop in Mississippi—just to look. Looking, however, became a brand new 2002 YZ85 within a few hours. How excited was I! And so that is how it all began, a look.
Now, sitting here, with 5 years of riding under my belt, and a higher place in the motocross industry than I could have ever dreamed, I am completely astonished at what my life involving motocross has become. Within a short 5 years, I've had sponsors, raced 4 different bikes, met tons of pro riders, written articles for the likes of Final Lap and JM Racing, tons of riding memorabilia, a semi-pro photographer, and as I write this, I am now looking at another writing gig, this time for a much bigger magazine: Moto Playground.
So that's me in a nutshell. If you guys have any questions you'd like to ask, feel free to email me at DJ.Burrus_Jmracing@yahoo.com (make sure you have the underscore in between my last name and the J).
Now on to the good stuff: Freestone! For those of you who didn't make it out to Tony Miller's place for the first national Texas has seen in 16 years, you missed one heck of a time. Anything a motocrosser could dream of was there: The best of the best riders, with the best of the best bikes, good-looking girls, an awesome track, awesome racing, and an all-around good time. The local boys were looking great! Ryan Grantom, Vernon McKiddie, Kyle Phenix, Clayton Miller, Ronny Jackson, and Thomas Borderlon were all out in force. RG and V-Mac even picked up an extra $500 for being the top Texas privateers. How cool is that! Congrats to those guys! Langston ended up going 2-1 for the overall and walking out of the Lonestar State with the points lead, while Ryan "Villi-podium" Villipoto cruised around for another 1-1 to extend his lead. It was a great weekend.
And with that, guys, I am going to end the first session of The LMX Chronicles. I hope you enjoyed what was said, and I hope you'll check back frequently for the next issue. Until then, everyone is more then welcome to email me about anything (what was said in this column, what you'd like to hear about in the next columns, comments on how I'm doing (good or bad), or anything else moto related!
See ya at the track!
DJ Burrus #106
DJ.Burrus_Jmracing@yahoo.com