It’s an uphill journey  – we’re going to try and help make it a little easier.

In order to become a pro bodybuilder, much time and dedication must be given towards training, dieting, and posing. It’s such a dedication, in fact, that for many it is almost impossible to maintain a job and at the same time rise up to a competitive level of Olympia standards.

How does one finance this kind of lifestyle? A lifestyle that requires a full time commitment in order to succeed? While not the ultimate cure-all answer, sponsorships provide a way to help support the working bodybuilder. It is an important part of being able to become a full fledged, full time pro bodybuilder.

But how do you get yourself a sponsor? It may seem overwhelming at first. There are hundreds of companies that are seeking the perfect athlete to become the face of their brand.

Today we are going to try and break down what it takes to get a sponsorship for your first time. We’ll provide tips, motivation, and basic guidelines to help make the first steps towards sponsorship more manageable.

The Basics

The first and most obvious way to get the attention of companies for sponsorships is to compete in shows. The bigger the show, the better. The more people at the show means the more company representatives that will be in attendance. You should be trying to get your face and muscles out there as much as possible. Absorb the entire bodybuilding circuit so people know who you are and what you stand for.

But just performing in shows is not enough. You need to be a prepared and outgoing go-getter with a unique voice that sticks you out from the crowd. Here are a few other suggestions and tips that can help get you signed for a great sponsorship deal.

Make Sure to Reach Out

Like we said, going to the shows isn’t enough. You need to make yourself known in every facet of the industry. Visit company websites and reach out to them. Many have online applications to become a member of athletes that they contact. Think of it like searching for a job. You just have to apply, apply, apply. There will be plenty of rejection. But just like any other job – it’s a combination of good luck, hard work, talent, and timing.

Be Professional and Have a Plan

This won’t be the first time we say this – but you should really treat a sponsorship like you treat a job. You don’t just blindly apply to job posts, waltz into an interview, and wing the whole thing.

You have to have a strategy. A good plan. Do research about the company, its history, and it’s product before speaking with representatives. Plan out how you are going to best sell yourself. What about your personality makes you worth signing? What makes you stand out? What makes you a better athlete than the hundreds of others who want the same thing as you.

If you can come across as professional and organized, a person who has everything together before you even speak to the company, people will take notice. Have your competition history and stats neatly organized and prepared for them. Know exactly the answers to their questions before they even ask them. Be confident, in control, as if you were born for this sponsorship.

Is it Important to Win Big Shows?

No not necessarily. Of course winning never hurts – but there are plenty of sponsored athletes that have yet to win a big show. Companies aren’t focused on how many shows you’ve won – what they are focused on is your personality and presence in the bodybuilding world. Is your name something that will draw people’s attention? That’s what is most important. Remember, you are selling yourself. Big wins are a part of that – but only a piece of the overall picture that is you.

Social Media

Social media is a great way to prove that you can be a face that draws attention. As they say with almost every profession – networking is key. And while many people may find that to mean networking with companies and other bodybuilding professionals (which is most definitely important), what you shouldn’t overlook is how important it is to network with the community through the internet.

While companies never judge your chance at a sponsorship solely on social media – it is a useful tool to prove to the higher-ups that you have a following of people who are dedicated to you and what you stand for.

Is Being Perfectly Sculpted Enough?

Okay, so let’s say you have perfected your body to a level that even the pros would love – does that mean supplement and fitness companies will flock to you for sponsorship? That’s not a guarantee. It is very important for you to have a vast understanding of the product that you want to stand for. The last thing any company wants is an athlete who slips up and reveals that they really know nothing about the product line.

Remember, companies ultimately want you so they can sell their brand. If you don’t bleed the product line – why would they sign you?
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Believe in the Product

This brings us to our next point. If you have to know the product inside and out; it should be a product you actually believe in. Sure, you can become a sell out and use something that you secretly hate, don’t use, or don’t believe in – but trust us when we say the whole experience will be much more pleasant (and lucrative) if you actually can stand behind the product you’re selling.
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Always Be “On”

This goes for before you get signed and definitely for after you get signed: you have to always be at your A game. You can’t complain, have a bad moment, or make a negative public display. Think of this like politics. If you want to represent a company – you have to have a spotless record.

No one wants to sign someone who is hard to work with. Or who is prone to drawing bad attention. That means don’t get caught eating unhealthy food; slogging around drunk; or becoming inappropriate with other people at events. Always be at 110%. Even when you think no one is watching you.

Become A National Bodybuilding Co. Sponsored Athlete

National Bodybuilding Co. is a company with two things in mind, the first, to provide high performance supplements, with grounded yet powerful formulas. The second thing? Enable aspiring athlete the world over to progress and fulfill their dreams.

National Bodybuilding Co.’s supplements are up, selling and have been welcomed by the elite community.  After their initial launch, they are now looking to help talented athletes get what they deserve. Starting with this, our hunt for bodybuilders to sponsor and support.

What Do National Bodybuilding Co. Athletes Get?

National Bodybuilding Co. has partnered with Generation Iron to offer a full package that can help the right person progress into the world of bodybuilding.

So, in short, if you get selected to be sponsored by National Bodybuilding Co. here’s what you can expect:

• Free monthly supplement stack from National Bodybuilding Co.
• 5% commission on all orders made through you
• Featured on the National Bodybuilding Co. ambassadors page
• Training or posing videos on the Generation Iron website
• Social Media shares to Generation Irons accounts
• Featured athlete profile and mini Interview on the Generation Iron website
• 20 minute personal strategy call with National Bodybuilding Co. / Generation Iron Executives

The above is just the start. If athletes are successful in their work, a paid sponsorship could be considered alongside full competition prep .

What Do Athletes Have to Do?

We don’t want much from our athletes. We mostly ask that they live and breathe their sport and discipline, as this is what will help them to grow with us.

• Promote National Bodybuilding Co. products with bi-weekly updates
• Support others and share their knowledge and passion

Who Can Apply?

As much as National Bodybuilding Co. would love to sponsor everyone, in every gym, they’re still in the process of growing. So we’re currently looking for athletes who are in the early stages of their bodybuilding career, or have never quite had that break they were looking for.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Active social media presence
• Has competed within the last 2 years or is competing in the future (in any sport or discipline)
• Confidence with appearing and speaking on camera
• In depth knowledge of bodybuilding and fitness (qualifications are good, but not essential if you’re physique tells us you know your stuff)
• Dreams and aspirations to go far

If you think this is you, enter below. We cannot answer every application and only have limited spaces in this round of our search. If you progress to the next stage, you’ll hear from National Bodybuilding Co. directly.

APPLY TO NATIONAL BODYBUILDING CO.’S SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM HERE!

One More Thing…

The last thing we want to leave you off with is a word of warning and advice. Sponsorships are very hard to get – they aren’t just handed out. And even when you do land a sponsorship, they may not pay well at first – or even at all.

Despite how it may seem, especially with all the superstar pros in every magazine and website, sponsorships are not money trains that will drive you home to the bank. Many of these companies will sign you under a contract that provides you with a free supply of their products (which isn’t too shabby especially if it’s a supplement company).

Just don’t hold all of your financial dreams on sponsorships. They do help – but just like any other job, you have to work hard to really earn the big bucks.

In the end, if you follow these steps and work just as hard off the stage as you do on the stage – you might find yourself with you’re very first sponsorship. Keep it up and who knows where it could lead. Maybe if all the stars align you’ll be the next face of MuscleMeds.

If you already have a sponsorship and have any other advice for the newcomers out there – feel free to share your tips in our comments section below. You can also share your thoughts on our official Facebook and Twitter pages. Stay pumped.