Happy New Year to All….

Boy the holidays flew by didn’t they and then I had one eye open watching the ball drop on New Years Eve.. I was tired from al the hoopla the last month but glad it’s all over because that means the next holiday besides my dreadful birthday is DAYTONA. It is also CRUNCH TIME for the riders and sponsors.

Another busy time of year when everyone seems to get ruffled about what they are doing, who they are riding for and will my bikes be prepared for another season?

This is also a great time of year when nothing exciting is happening in the press about the sport so we really need to take this advantage and run with it.

This is the year we become more press related, more organized and actually set out with a plan. New Year , New Rider. Forget about what you did last year, forget about what you plan was last year and push forward. Set your goals, clean off your desk and start fresh.

Print out this business plan below and stick to it.. If you need help.. Just ask…

1. Announce your “team” prior to Daytona. Include you are you, your major sponsors, what series you will be running, class, Bikes you have, your mechanic etc. This press release should naturally be emailed to as many places as possible. To get a list go on the internet into search and put in Flat Track Racing. It will pull up many avenues for you and remember this is a list that won’t change. So instead of doing this with every release make a list of these and save the contacts for further releases down the road. See you have now accomplished many of things… a relationship with the press, hoopla about your team, a service to your sponsors, and you right on the map.. Congrats.

2. Don’t worry about getting more sponsors after your release date you can easily write another release for those.. Because now you are a pro!

3. Make sure all your sponsors are on the bike or wherever they have insisted on being.

4. Your leathers should be ordered, your gear ordered and everything you need safety wise before DAYTONA. Remember you can always get the gear of what have you sent to me in Orlando to bring to the track so give my address to them if they are shipping past your leaving date.

5. Bike Week is huge and so is the opener of the season… Bank on doing all or some of the following: Have your autograph sheets made up, do a special give out like stickers, man and machine cards or pocket calendars. Set up your own autograph session outside your hotel room, campsite, local restaurant in Daytona or surrounding area and draw attention to yourself and the sport. You need not to wait for it to be a paid gig.. Who knows you may just run into a potential sponsor? Let’s network!

6. Arrive early enough to the track so you can get your prime location and stay long enough to set up your autograph stand. Your pit must be a welcomed area or no one will come.

7. Ask your sponsors if they will be in Daytona and if so ask them to come to the races? DUH!

Before Daytona.. Another press release should go out and include everyone from the prior releases and make sure you contact your local newspaper… Your local newspaper should be involved as many from your area usually attend bike week anyway.

So that is that… Good Luck and if you need help.. Just ASK

It’s a new year… the possibilities are ENDLESS

All my Best..

Jennifer