When I started ultrarunning, there were basically only ambassadorships. It has been great to see more money come into the sport, but I found that in recent years, the ask of sponsorship outweighed the opportunity cost. That's ultimately why I decided to not be sponsored anymore, I just felt like the scales had tipped too far and it just wasn't worth it. It has been awesome to get to wear whatever I want!

@annankldun4040

Жыл бұрын

But dont you also get paid as well? If so, how much?

@JeffPelletier

Жыл бұрын

Very few runners in the sport actually get paid. It’s mostly free product and, at best, budget for things like travel to races.

Completely different sport - cycling, but similar issues. It is golden handcuffs like the axiom "is the juice worth the squeeze." We've decided to go direct to viewers for support to remain independent rather than seeking sponsorship.

@Seby-biketrial

2 жыл бұрын

Great ideea! It might be even more profitable and a lot more freedom.

Super informative. I left an ambassadorship when they only wanted me to talk about the positives on a product they sent me to review. They also didn't want me to talk to other brands and were way to controlling with just about everything.

I remember having a similar conversation with you about this topic when you drove me to my very first ultra (Diez Vista) 6 years ago. I had questions about becoming a Salomon Vancouver Runner, and your answers were super helpful then. This is all very nice advice. Way to sum it up clearly too. Thanks!

This was very informative! I never understood the whole sponsoring dynamic. Man years ago, I was a brand ambassador for Power Bar. It was the closest I got to being a professional runner. I got a whole box of free Power bars and handed samples out to runners. Ooooh!😅 I felt so honored!😁 Now, I just run for fun and fitness. Thanks for sharing this!

Thanks for sharing this information. I revoked the opportunity to be an ambassador to one of the brands you mentioned because one of the requirements was to wear a shirt with their logo at races. However, they did not provide the apparel. So the cost of apparel for their free advertising outweighed the discount they offered for their product. Secondly, they required using their product exclusively, but their product offering did not cover all of my hydration needs. I run ultras where you need more than just electrolyte replacement. It became apparent very quickly that there was little or no benefit, all things considered. I just stepped away all together. I don't want a discount to stand in the way of just enjoying my adventures. :)

Thanks for explaining everything so thoroughly, many questions answered here! Thanks for sharing all this with us.

Another great upload Jeff, always look forward to your tips and explanations

The term "opportunity cost" is something so few people understand. They will turn down a shift at work to stand in line on Black Friday for 5 hours to save $30. This video is such a great example of that. If it's something you enjoy already then great, take the discount and have some fun. To spend 20 hours a month (that I don't have) to get a free pair of shoes is running a reverse economy. ....no pun intended:)

@JeffPelletier

Жыл бұрын

Yep, you nailed it.

This was a very relevant video on a topic I don’t think is widely covered on you tube. I’ve recently begun contacting brands related to my channel and this was very helpful. Thanks Jeff!

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it! I think you could do really well with affiliate marketing programs.

Fabulous video! Thank you for the well-thought-out content and for bringing up some points many don't think about.

This is perfect! Great insight and thoughts shared in this video!!!

Really excellent video... a good combination of your expertise and experience. I've always steered away from this kind of thing... not really big on providing free/cheap services for little return (and as you said, clout). It's fairly easy to get any of the products provided on discount by shopping around and not being limited to one brand. My only problem is that social media is now so saturated with biased reviews/photos/videos that are very well hidden as such. It's watering down the "word of mouth" aspect of product reviews and as a consumer we really need to be on guard about this inherent bias. Cheers!

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeremy. That’s a great point that I didn’t touch on, it’s hard to trust reviews when everyone is an ambassador! Fortunately, we are seeing disclosure rules being put in place for both sponsored reviews and affiliate links.

@Seby-biketrial

2 жыл бұрын

Yes so true. And there is also the unique human factor. Everyone has to test. One product works great for 1000 people and does not do well at all for 10 people. Anyway good point.

Great info and suggestions. Thanks for sharing!

Awesome video man! Lots of good information!

Very informative. Thanks for your insights!

i learned a lot, Thank you Jeff! as an ambassador of a sporting brand here in the Philippines, you answered my questions before i even ask!

Very good video...helpfull!!! Thanks for the explanation

Very well explained. Nice video.

Preach. Hope some people listen to the reasonable points you're making in this video

Great video, knowledge, and advice for everyone out there!

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ryan! I think you’d maybe encountered similar challenges recently around the exclusivity thing when it comes to your own channel, eh?

@RyanClaytonFilms

3 жыл бұрын

@@JeffPelletier yep, i think you covered it well, make sure the deal is beneficial to you. Everyone has a different threshold/wants/desires for that 👍

Found out about this From the American Trail Running Association. ! I do have asperations of becoming a paid endorsement athlete with sponsorship and royalties and this video is a great introduction to this profession!

Thank you for this nice information.👍🏿

thanks a looooot for your honest words!!

Nice recap Jeff! That's something I've been willing/trying to do for a while now... especially as a creative who is kind of a gearhead :) but as you said it takes quite a bit of time. So many things can change during a full year (job deliveries, buying a house, a pandemic, ...) you can have the extra time for a few weeks to create content but might get hard to commit to it on a full year. If it becomes a second job it has to be worth it :) It would be great to collaborate with the brands I already use and love, but as you said it has to be a win-win. 🍻

Interesting and informative video as always! keep it up

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nathan!

Very helpful!

Interesting video, as you present to ambssador/sponsor/partnership from diffrent point of views, describing pros and cons. You can continue to publish similar videos which affects all kind of runners.

Wow, you opened my eyes to these programs. Wondered about how those worked. Interesting

Fun and run are just a letter away. Nice advice jeff.

What a fantastic video Jeff, thanks for taking the time to explain all of this. I have a fruit salad of kit, but it’s all kit that performs really well and I stand behind and don’t mind adding the tags on Instagram. Adidas actually reached out and asked to use one of my winter pictures.! That’s the level I would wish to keep.

I am not concerned by far but lived to know more on these deals. Because I want to buy little and slow, i take the time to understand. The classical marketing is really a bias I despise but reviewers are a real informarive help. In that sens it seems better to have ambassadors, as long as they are transparent ( so we can counter check). +1 for transparency !

Glad I watched this. Was considering sponsorship to reduce some of my expenses, but yeah, I'm good, I'll pay for my damn shoes lol

Solomon's (Salomon) wisdom on a complexed topic with many nuances.

The irony is that 99% of runners are hobbyists, but have no marketing power useful for brands. The only thing that could bridge that gap is essentially loyalty programs. But I have never seen any implementation of those that are interesting enough to encourage loyalty/retention.

As a new ultra-runner, I've been thinking about this stuff. Now that I've watched this, I get the general impression that unless you're an elite, world class runner, with a huge following, (so that you can become officially sponsored), everything below that is merely a scam/pyramid scheme.

What I heard from runners who have been running on a professional level 20 or 30 years ago, it was way easier at that times. I have the impression that what you have to commit (postings, reselling or working at events) is increasing and what you get is decreasing. Moreover brands are not searching for the best sportsmen anylonger, they are interested in high social media clout.

@danieltsuedo334

3 жыл бұрын

hmmm i can think of one person right now

Another great video and reinforces for me that I am not interested in any of these programs lol!

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

Hah, thanks Wing.

Very interesting video. I’ve noticed what seems to be an influx of ambassadors and to be honest it bugs me. I swear 90% of people I see on strava have team nuun in their bio. I don’t think the people who are involved them really look into the logistics of how they aren’t saving too much money, they are focused on thinking they are a better athlete than they are because a brand wants to be involved with them. I know this seems like a very cynical view but it’s how I see it...

I find getting paid to do something makes me hate it… I would never want to be sponsored, well unless I was a top level athlete. Which I am most definitely not haha

Is that the swiss peaks 3d area map on the background? 😉

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

It is! I printed it using a service called PaperTrails.io which connects right to Strava for you. Good eye.

Great video. A must watch for many people who think they would be great at promoting "x" brand for whatever reasons. I run a marine store and have a couple of Olympic level athletes we sponsor, and with that, comes weekly requests from other up coming sailors. Rarely are the requests ever followed by how they can help me further my brand. It's always I'll put your name/logo on my sail and that should be enough. I have book marked this video and will suggest some requests watch this. Thanks!

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Morten! Great to hear from someone on the ‘brand’ side of things.

How can I get my hands on one of those hilarious clif suits?!!!? =P

@JeffPelletier

3 жыл бұрын

Hah, that was a lot fun skiing in those 😂

@emma-eventing

3 жыл бұрын

@@JeffPelletier 100% here for that selfie-stick-skiing-while-dressed-in-absurd-costumes content LOL

I am a heavy runner 260 lbs at 6'2. Do you think there would be a certain company looking for a trail runner like me

@danieltsuedo334

3 жыл бұрын

there should be

Altra wanted me to be a shoe tester 👠 and i went like this 🖕🖕🖕

Unless you're the best in the world at your event... don't bother. Nothing is more embarrassing than dumb, low-level athletes on social media trying to pedal their supplements where they make $0.03 a sale.