Far left: Mirabai chats with photographers at Ho’okipa Beach, Maui. Middle & right circles: MIrabai goes the extra mile... setting up a magazine release promotional event on Maui, showcasing the WSSM spread she was featured in, complete with extra large printed vinyl banner, posters for signing, and additional magazine copies for fans! Just another way to generate buzz and content, showing sponsors she’s willing to go the extra mile to promote them. This page: Mirabai charging at Ho’okipa Beach, Maui. Photo by Darrell Wong
Mirabai James ... How to get a Sponsor
When I started surfing at the age of 10, I knew I wanted to be sponsored… so, I am so happy to share this article with all the girls who have the same dreams I did. I got all my sponsors and kept them by hard work, persistence and dedication. I ride for Sector 9, Black Flys, Da Kine, ZICO Coconut water, Maui Girl Swim wear, BYB Surfboards, and The Pickle. Having sponsors is like having a job. You will need a portfolio to promote yourself.
After you have a sponsor, you don’t want to lose them, so keep them updated every few months.
This should consist of surfing and modeling photos, video footage, magazine articles or ads that you have been in for surf modeling or school, and a typed resume. The resume should have all of your contest results, school grades or honors, special awards and your future plans in the world of surfing.
Let them know what you have been up to, what your future plans are, what gear you will need, and most of all, always letting them know how stoked you are to be representing them. Enter contests and get as much magazine coverage as possible to keep them stoked on you.
You should include a cover letter stating who you are (a quick bio), what kind of sponsorship you are looking for, why they should sponsor you, what you can do for them, how you will be able to represent them in a positive way, and what makes you different from everyone else. Make your portfolio short and sweet. Team managers are busy people and don’t have a lot of time, so it is important to catch their eye with as little as possible. You want them to remember who you are, so anything special that stands out about you, include it!
Before you even begin all of the above, here are some basics that you need to cover and get busy on so that you will have something to put in that portfolio you will be working so hard on. The first thing to do is get surfing/modeling photos and video footage. Surfing photos and video are a very important part of this process. They will showcase your skills and best moves. Enter as many contests as you can and get involved in your local surfing association. Get a surfing coach to help you with contest strategies so you can win. The more impressive your surfing is at contests, the greater your chances will be that a sponsor scout will see you rippin and will want to pick you up as a team rider. Follow this advice, and if you are a ripper, you will be sure to have a sponsor in no time.
Once you have your portfolio together, call the companies by Google searching their phone numbers. Find out who the team manager is, and call until you get in touch with them. Tell them who you are, that you are interested in riding for the team and have a resume to send. Now you are ready to send your portfolios out to the team managers of the companies you want to be sponsored by. After you have sent them your portfolio, follow up by calling the team manager to make sure they received it.
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Good Luck!!!!! Live your dreams......... Aloha, Mirabai
James