Sponsorship is a vital link in the chain between the explorer and the the dream expedition. So, what is the recipe for gaining corporate sponsorship? Perhaps, it takes creative genius - An adventurer willing to map out something extreme and desirable (Running from Pole to Pole, Walking Home from Mongolia, Round the World Cycle Expedition, Circumnavigate China (make a Guinness World Record, then plan another like circumnavigating India on motorcycles (and compare the sponsorship lists between the first China ride and the second India ride), or for a rather extreme example of fame and expeditions, you become a famous actor and take the Long Way Round, or television personality who loves adventure to try to become the first to cycle to the South Pole just to name a few here). All of them have used their talents, connections or their own creative abilities to share their experience in the public (media attention, blogging, news and/or television appearances, foundation links, credit and credibility that the product or service a company is offering is valuable to the companies that supported them). The audience could be as small as a few friends trying out a famous race as individuals or big when they build an audience in the thousands. The idea for the expedition needs to be sound, purposeful, connected to community in some way, and require use of a product or service that generates interest and hopefully for the marketing department - more interest, more customers.
Here is an example of crowdfunding my current expedition for 2014, Mongolia by mountain bike. Updates to follow on all social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, blogs) and Gofundme. Thanks for your support! See you out on the road this summer, thanks for all the past supporters (see list below) that helped me when I needed it most. As you can see, I wasn't successful in reaching the goal to fund 50% of the bike trip in Mongolia last summer. However, it was an experience (my first) in crowdfunding and it wasn't entirely unsuccessful. I have searched for a foundation to support within Mongolia itself. At the end of the trek to the Gobi Desert and Khentii grasslands, I returned to Ulaanbaatar and met a friend from Serbia named Tanya. She wanted to visit orphanages with her tour guides, so I was invited along and we have several contacts that need our help, but cannot accept cash. Since, the logistics of clothing donations or medical equipment are beyond the means of my own contribution and my sponsors, I will hold on that plan for now. I will use Kiva for the balance of the sponsor support, and when I have further funding secured (involving a career change*), I will work with the orphanages directly. It's interesting to become globally connected through fundraising.
Most large companies have been in business for many years, have now well established reputations by producing and standing by their craft, research and development and support community development or environmental protection programs. Northface as an example, supports community programs which is good for community and supports a philanthropic corporate image. Although their tents, outdoor kit and clothing is used in a wide variety of situations and sports - they only sponsor a select athletic activities. These products or services that has been designed, tested and are being promoted by a field of professional athletes.
In any major sporting industry - there are atheletes like extreme mountain bikers, global explorers, mountaineers, ocean rowers, arctic and polar adventurers, extreme sports enthusiasts (name them), and let's not forget the long-distance touring cyclists, all are adventurers with a unique drive to take on the world, all also trying to succeed using the right equipment.
The bigger the geographical expedition, however, requires more planning, logistics and financial investment is required to prepare them, share them in professional media venues, and finally launch while maintaining social connection with an audience. The more "live broadcast" the expedition or sporting event is, the greater the potential for sponsors to capture their target audience. Not all events are equal, nor are they broadcast the same way. And some require a great deal of planning and preparation - some seek professional advice.
Gaining sponsorship takes time, commitment and a partnership formed from a mutually-beneficial relationship. Companies need marketing, but most successful companies already spend millions of dollars to successfully capture their customers interest, time in the field of expeditions and money invested in the quality gear upfront definitelty proves something to potential sponsors down the road - that you have commitment. And some have enough talent to make a movie. Now that is going to bring home support for expeditions.
Starting off as a new explorer, adventurer, travel writer, ambassador isn't easy and most established companies have lists of applicants asking for their commitment, support, free product and/or service.
A friend and sponsored long-distance cyclist recently said to me, "What makes you different from all the other world touring cyclists out there?" Sponsors want to find something or someone that is pitching something unique, professional photography, advice about creating or carrying out expeditions, or the lucky ones that just complete expeditions, many of them over a lifetime and others that publicise it as television programming. Some operate on small budget adventures, others take on almost impossible odds to reach the Poles. Whatever your talent may well be, it better be thoughtout and trained and tested in the field.
It's best to use the sponsors equipment or services first, and talk about what it does for you. Also proving the expeditions are worthwhile or can be continued in the future draws interest-but sustainable expeditions is really what everyone is looking for, isn't it? How can you travel the world and still have time and money to afford to travel some more. Afterall, expeditions are forms of traveling - although the conditions may be extreme. Before asking for something in return for the time and effort you've put into planning, complete an expedition, a race on your calendar, or start recording events and share them when they happen. After all of that, return from events you planned and executed with results - spending time searching for sponsors will hopefully speed up a notch or two. Completing expeditions, competing in internationally recognized events, or researching and doing something different - will all help the process of gaining sponsorship a possibility, rather than a notion or vague idea. Work a little more, save a little more, test out yourself on local events, regional cycle rides or races, or train for the Himalayas closer to home first. And buy and use the equipment you really need to get the job done safely and professionally - that's a start and will require enough effort, time and money to make results payoff.
There are lists of equipment manufacturers posted in many successful blogs offering 'information' and they have afterall worked hard sharing information through that website (which helps their sponsors attract new customers who want to do the same thing). Most well known online retailers you know will carry the new equipment required for your next adventure, expedition, race or round-the-world tour. But do your homework first, determine what products you really need, and can they be found locally - another brand with similar quality perhaps? Can you build one yourself, could you do with just the basics to get started?
Some of the best travelers and explorers known in the world started out without sponsors, without credit to anyone but themselves and their keen interest and satisfaction at going out into the world, equipped for what they were getting themselves into, and came back as Adventurers with stories to tell their friends and families and found sponsors later. And perhaps, afterall, that is what exploring is all about - taking on a big adventure, challenging yourself, pushing to new limits, and coming home to share the experience with others. If the adventures take on new heights, the sponsors will understand what you need and offer it to you.
I have been fortunate to have a family which supports my dreams, and accepts the idea of global exploring. This hasn't been easy to come away with as a father, teacher and adventurer wrapped up in one. It's taken time, new experiences and development, long and thoughtout negotiations with a spouse, the long gaps of time between adventures - filled with work schedules, family obligations and the training required to return to expeditions in the coming year. It's tough and at times - very stressful trying to live both lives at home, and out on the road where adventures live and breathe with opportunities, risks, and new hopes.
But nothing is impossible - Inspiration is out there, a living adventure in our daily lives. It just takes time, pressure, creativity and experience to know how to design a life that is worth living, and risks in adventure that are worth taking. I appreciate all the chances I have been given, all the blessings, and luck to complete the missions. Himalayas and western China by bike in 2011 and Crossing Mongolia in 2012 and I shared thoughts about being a father and an explorer with Global Explorer - Mikael Strandberg after successfully completing my second major, independent expedition of Outer Mongolia by bike.
Life is good - when I live to Ride.
Sincerely,
Brian
I would like to thank commercial sponsors and community supporters who backed my projects.
THANK YOU – DONGJIN IMPORTS, SOUTH KOREA – DJSPORTS.CO.KR FOR SUPPORTING CROSSING MONGOLIAX2012 EXPEDITION PROVIDING A M240S TITANIUM FRAME FROM THEIR STOCK. DONGJIN IMPORTS IS A PRESTIGE PERFORMANCE COMPANY IMPORTING WORLD CLASS BICYCLES AND COMPONENTS TO SOUTH KOREA.
LYNSKEY PERFORMANCE USA,
THE ORIGINAL MAKERS OF HIGH QUALITY PRESTIGE TITANIUM BICYCLES (LITESPEED) AND COMPONENTS. SPONSOR PROVIDED ASSISTANCE WITH A SPECIAL MODEL RACING/XC MOUNTAIN BIKE FRAME USED EXCLUSIVELY WHILE COMPLETING A 2499KM EXPEDITION-TYPE MOUNTAIN BIKE CROSSING OF OUTER MONGOLIA. INCREDIBLE SUPPORT/GENEROSITY CAME FROM THEIR SALES REPRESENTATIVE WHO COMMUNICATED WITH DONGJIN SPORTS, SOUTH KOREA TO FINALIZE THE SPONSOR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE TEAM IN TENNESSEE HELPING TO MAKE THIS EXPEDITION A SUCCESS IN 2012.
LYNSKEY, USA MAKERS OF LIGHTER AND STRONGER TITANIUM BIKES!
MODEL: M240S, FRAME SIZE: 19″ WHEEL DIMENSION: 26″
INCREDIBLE STAFF, LOGISTICS SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL, EXCELLENT SELECTION OF SPARE COMPONENTS, 3 RACKS, MECHANICS READY TO HELP, FREE LABOR ON PARTS/SERVICE, BRAKE COMPONENTS TO ASSIST A KOREAN TEAM IN DISTRESS.
ASK FOR NARAN FOR SUPPORT
WHILE CYCLING IN MONGOLIA.
ASK FOR NARAN FOR SUPPORT
WHILE CYCLING IN MONGOLIA.
COMMUTER BICYCLES, SANTA BARBARA, USA ERIC PROVIDING OPEN COMMUNICATION AND SPONSOR SUPPORT WITH A DISCOUNTED PROFESSIONALTREKKING BICYCLE. THE KOGA-MIYATA WORLD TRAVELLER AND SPECIAL EXPEDITION COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS. 2 SADDLES, REPAIR KIT INCLUDED.
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