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Top 10 Things To Do When You’re Sponsored.

There’s been a few changes which shook-up BMX world over the past year or two… I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a big year for BMX news!

Firstly we saw what happened at Stranger when Adam LZ joined the team, multiple people quitting because of certain differences and it made for some pretty good reading at the time. I guess the most recent and shocking news to a lot of people was when Harry Main dropped pretty-much all of his sponsors to join Mafia Bikes earlier this year. I can imagine 13 year old kids everywhere who owned a Hyper went nuts, Oil Slick parts destroyed in fits of rage, internet went into a complete meltdown. – Well maybe not that bad like… But the news did get a lot of people talking and opinions were shared, including one from our man Cleggy. Finally, what about when Chase Hawk & Sean Sexton were recently dropped from Odyssey? That was a total shocker too!

So yeah, I’m sure you’ll agree that some crazy shit been going on in the BMX world lately… With all of this sponsorship hype going around; multiple people quitting at once or getting dropped, new ventures within the BMX industry and whatnot… I thought it’d be funny to look at some of the things you’ll more than likely be seeing in your news feeds, have a laugh with it! Why not eh?

#1 – The All Important Sponsorship Photo!

Just switched sponsor? Let everyone know via one handy photograph! Make sure you get all that all-important branding in there, product must be the right way around, logos all over the shop of course and don’t forget to say cheeeese!

#2 – Take pictures of those ‘Care Packages’

Jordan Aleppo’s legs and a bunch of fresh new Vans gear

Ohhh you gotta keep the sponsors happy! Every time they send you a bunch of free stuff, this is a MUST! If you didn’t strategically lay out your free garms/products so they look aesthetically pleasing, then put it ’em on your insta that would just be so gosh darn rude!

#3 – Change Social Media Profile Pics/Cover Photos.

We know BMX and Social Media now go hand in hand since we all live in the future and not many people of the younger generations tend to read mags anymore (it’s really sad, but rather true unfortunately.) – Attention spans are getting shorter. So keeping your social media profile or ‘Fan Page’ up to date is key, let the world know who you’re reppin’ via a decent profile pic and don’t forget that banger in your cover photo, that all-important blue tick is also an added bonus to let people know you’re legit…

#4 – Signature Parts.

Kriss Kyle getting pretty much every sponsor in one photo like a boss.

If you’re a seasoned Pro or maybe just one of the key players of the team you’ll be privileged enough to be approached by the TM and have input on your own Signature part or parts line… I can’t take the piss here to be honest, that is actually really cool. Imagine having your own sig line and kids everywhere wanting to rep your shit? It’d feel well good, so ensure you get as many snaps of them and post them on the regular to show your sponsors & fans how stoked you are!

#5 – Travel Photos.

Mick Woods from BQR123 off to see his NYC homie Jimmy Oakes

Now that you’re sponsored, you’ll be going on trips and taking photos or having someone take them for you. Not like your average holiday photos with the family to Benidorm. Actual travel photos. We’re talkin’ scenery shots, pictures out of the plane window or filming on the aeroplane itself while the ‘no mobile phones’ sign is on during take-off like a total badass rebel. Before you set off, the obligatory plane ticket shot is always a winner, standing outside of the airport or the bags packed with a caption “LDN to BCN” or some shit to make people jelly. Guess it’s gotta be done…

#6 – Put In Work For Your ‘Welcome Edit’

This is pretty self explanatory really. If you don’t put in the work then your new ‘Welcome Edit’ will look absolute dogmeat and no one wants that now, do they? So go send yourself down some stairs or hit the biggest jump at the park going mach 10 like Tom Dugan. SEND IT!

#7 – Learn How To Conduct Yourself During An Interview.

Kriss Kyle having quite-possibly the most awkward interview of his life.

You are in the public’s eye now… Even if you’re completely stupid you can still be good on a bike, I’m sure we all know a few good examples! Conducting yourself, being calm and composed during interviews is key. You get those riders who it just comes naturally to, humble folk who are genuinely nice guys who can deal with any question fired at them – Garrett Reynolds is a good example! – But nothing, and I repeat NOTHING could possibly prepare you for an interview with Fathead.

#8 – Know Your BMX History.

Brushing up on a bit of BMX history definitely won’t go amiss either! Let’s say you go on a trip and happen to turn up at some trails, or a sweet park and someone’s rockin’ a Little Devil tee, you like the design of said T shirt and you’re all like, “Hey man, that’s a cool T shirt, who makes it?!” – Study up, and you will prevent yourself from looking a complete cockwomble. Seriously though, if you haven’t seen/heard of Little Devil Criminal Mischief or Seek & Destroy then what have you been doing with your life? Go back even further and check out the days of Dave Vanderspek etc. Our forefathers were so RAD!

#9 – Contests/Web Edits (or both.)

This one all depends on what you prefer really… If contests ain’t your thing, then fine! Your sponsor will probably know this, or I should hope they asked you this before they made you sign your name in blood (just kidding) – Filming for a big video part can be so rewarding, putting hours and hours of effort into one clip and that feeling of finally nailing it is more than worth it! If you’re on a bit of down time between filming you could always make insta vids/web edits to keep the ball rolling, most riders love to have a filmer around so this is easily done. If you’re into the whole contest thing then the sky’s your limit, go for X Games Gold or whatever your jam is I guess…

#10 – Be A Decent Person.

Jason Phelan giving a kid his bike in South Africa. Such an awesome thing to do!

The most important rule of all. This one can be achieved in many different ways I guess… A few decent Pro’s usually take the time to sign autographs for fans at events, some like to show up at skateparks and ride with the locals there, get to know people and have a good day. Giving a kid a part from your bike is the best, Pro’s get free shit quite often so it’s cool when you see them giving their parts away to kids who may not have much cash to buy their own. Doing it in person at random is much better than begging for instagram likes also. It’s nice to be good and good to be nice, no one likes an arrogant, selfish ass-puppet after all!

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bmx Sponsored Top 10

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