# How to set up your profile

Complete this guide to create a professional, sponsor-ready profile in 10–15 minutes. Follow each step in order.

## Step 1: Log in and navigate to your profile

1. Go to **sponsordriven.com** and sign in with your email
2. On your home screen, look for your profile card or click **Profiles** in the top menu
3. Find your competitor profile (labelled as "Driver," "Team," or "Individual")
4. Click **Edit profile** button or go to `/{your-slug}/settings/profile`

**Expected result:** You're now in your profile edit page

***

## Step 2: Add your profile image

1. Click the **profile picture** area (usually top left or centre)
2. Click **Change photo** or **Upload photo**
3. Select a clear, professional photo of yourself (or team logo if you're a team)
4. Crop if needed (aim for square format, at least 400×400 pixels)
5. Click **Save** or **Upload**

**Recommended:** Use a photo where you're clearly visible, smiling, in racing gear or professional clothing

**Expected result:** Your profile picture updates immediately across the site

***

## Step 3: Fill in your display name and bio

1. Click the **Name** field
2. Enter your name as you want it displayed (e.g., "Sarah Johnson" or "Apex Racing Team")
3. Click the **Short bio** field (usually labelled "About" or "Bio")
4. Write 2–3 sentences about yourself:
   * What you race (series, discipline, class)
   * Your current goal or recent highlight
   * What you're fundraising for

**Example bio:** "Formula 3 driver competing in the British F3 Championship 2024. Currently fundraising £15,000 for season entry fees. Based in Bristol."

5. Click **Save**

**Expected result:** Your name and bio appear on your public profile

***

## Step 4: Add your location and contact details

1. Find the **Location** field
2. Enter your city or region (e.g., "Bristol, UK")
3. Look for **Social links** or **External links** section
4. Add your most important social accounts:
   * Instagram (if you have racing content)
   * Twitter/X (if you're active in motorsport)
   * TikTok (if applicable)
   * YouTube (if you have video content)
   * Website (if you have a personal website)
5. Paste the full URL for each (e.g., `https://instagram.com/yourhandle`)
6. Click **Save**

**What to skip:** Don't add links to inactive accounts. Better to have 1 active link than 5 dead ones.

**Expected result:** Supporters can click your social links from your public profile

***

## Step 5: Select your motorsport discipline (Drivers only)

1. Go to **Settings** → **Motorsport**
2. Click **Add championship** or **Add racing history**
3. Search for your series/championship (e.g., "British F3," "Super 2000 Rally," "MotoE")
4. Select from the list
5. Add your **current status** (e.g., "Competing," "Finished 2023," "Reserve")
6. Click **Save**

**If your series isn't listed:**

* Try searching by broader term (e.g., "Formula 3" instead of "British F3")
* Contact support if your series is missing entirely

**Expected result:** Your motorsport history appears in your "Motorsport" tab

***

## Step 6: Set your profile visibility (Publish)

1. Look for a **Publish** or **Make public** button (usually in top right)
2. Confirm that you want to publish your profile
3. Your profile URL is now: `sponsordriven.com/{your-profile-slug}`

**Before publishing, check:**

* ✅ Profile picture is professional
* ✅ Bio is complete and specific
* ✅ Social links work
* ✅ Motorsport data is added (for drivers)

**Expected result:** Your profile is now visible to sponsors and supporters

***

## Step 7: Add at least one piece of content (Update or Media)

1. Go to **Settings** → **Updates**
2. Click **Post new update**
3. Write a short message (50–100 words) about:
   * A recent race result
   * An announcement
   * A fundraising goal
   * A thank you to sponsors

**Example update:** "Just finished round 3 of the championship! Finished 5th in a competitive field. Big thanks to \[Sponsor Name] for their support. Next race is in 2 weeks at Brands Hatch."

4. Click **Add image** and upload a racing photo (action shot if possible)
5. Click **Publish**

**Expected result:** Your update appears on your profile

***

## Step 8: Set up your first funding option

### Quick option: Enable one-time contributions

1. Go to **Settings** → **Sponsorship packages** (or **Tiers**)
2. Click **Enable contributions** or **Add tier**
3. Name it something simple like **"Support my season"** or **"One-time support"**
4. Set a description: **"Help me reach my fundraising goal"**
5. Click **Save**

### Better option: Create sponsorship tiers (if you want recurring revenue)

1. Go to **Settings** → **Sponsorship packages**
2. Click **Create tier**
3. Create 3 tiers:

| Tier   | Price        | Benefit                                           |
| ------ | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Bronze | £5–10/month  | Monthly thank you post + exclusive updates        |
| Silver | £20–50/month | Above + meet & greet at one race + monthly report |
| Gold   | £100+/month  | Above + car sticker/branding + VIP paddock access |

4. For each tier, add 2–3 clear benefits
5. Click **Save**

**Expected result:** Supporters can see your tiers and choose how to support you

***

## Step 9: Complete payout setup (Required to receive money)

1. Go to **Settings** → **Payouts**
2. Click **Set up payout** or **Add bank account**
3. You'll be redirected to Stripe (Sponsor Driven's payment processor)
4. Follow Stripe's steps:
   * Confirm your full name and date of birth
   * Enter your UK bank account (sort code + account number)
   * Confirm your address
5. Click **Complete setup**
6. You'll be redirected back to Sponsor Driven

**Expected result:** Your profile now shows "Payout ready" and you can receive payments

**⚠️ Important:** Without this step, you won't get paid. Do this even if you haven't earned money yet.

***

## Step 10: Share your profile

1. Find your **profile URL** (looks like `sponsordriven.com/your-name`)
2. Copy the link
3. Share it on:
   * Your Instagram bio
   * Your Twitter/X profile
   * WhatsApp or email to friends/sponsors
   * Racing team group chats
   * Local motorsport club websites

**Template share text:**

> "I'm racing this season and looking for support! Check out my profile and sponsor me: \[your link]"

**Expected result:** People start visiting your profile

***

## Your Profile is Now Live ✅

You've completed the essentials. Now:

* **Post a new update weekly** – Keep your profile fresh
* **Thank contributors publicly** – Builds trust and encourages more support
* **Update your results** – Add race results as they happen
* **Share your link** – More shares = more views = more support

***

## Common Issues & Fixes

### "My profile isn't showing up in search"

Profiles need to be published first. Check:

1. Go to your profile settings
2. Look for **Publish** or **Make public** button
3. If it's greyed out, you may be missing required info (photo, bio, social link)

**Fix:** Add missing info, then publish

### "I can't add my motorsport series"

Your series may not be in our database yet.

**Fix:** Contact <support@sponsordriven.com> with:

* Name of series (e.g., "British Super 2000 Rally Championship")
* Country
* Approximate date you competed in it

### "Payout setup says 'Incomplete' or 'In review'"

Stripe may need more information.

**Fix:**

1. Go to **Payouts** page
2. Click **Complete setup** or **Update information**
3. Follow Stripe's prompts
4. Check your email for any requests from Stripe

### "My photo isn't uploading"

File size or format issue.

**Fix:**

* Make sure image is under 5 MB
* Use .jpg, .png, or .webp format
* Try cropping the image smaller
* Try a different browser

***

## Next Steps

* **Ready to get discovered?** Read [How to Promote Your Profile](/reference-guides/promotion-tips.md)
* **Want more supporters?** See [Creating Sponsorship Tiers](/step-by-step-guides/how-to-create-sponsorship-tiers.md)
* **Need to track results?** Check [Managing Your Race Schedule](/step-by-step-guides/how-to-manage-race-schedule.md)
* **Questions about money?** Go to [Understanding Payouts](/step-by-step-guides/how-to-setup-payouts.md)


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