Image via Complex Original
As much as we talk shit and clown on everyone for their sneakerhead idiosyncrasies, we still understand how lucky we are to be in the positions we're in. There are many perks to the job of being just a "sneaker blogger" that often go unnoticed but one that is we are asked about on a regular basis, "How do you get free sneakers?" It's simple really, we beg and plead for every release and subtweet at brands when they don't send us that new new every time it drops!
Just kidding. In reality, getting free sneakers from brands isn't as impossible as it may seem. Every brand needs to get their product out there and on the feet of people like us—or like you—in order to spread the word when new product launches. In short, find out the people that seed the product and help them with their needs. In order to give you a better idea on some of the important things that can land you free sneakers, we've created this guide on How to Get Free Sneakers. No guarantees, of course. Let us know what you think in the comments section and tell us what kicks you've been hooked up with.
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Wear your kicks.
Showing pictures of what you have is great, but sneakers are meant to be worn. You wearing the shoes is exponentially more valuable to a company than just showing that you got a pair. It also proves that you have experience enough to compare products without bashing them.
Talk to people about sneakers.
Choppin' it up on Twitter with your friends is cool but don't be afraid to step outside of your circle. This will expand your network and make you more valuable in the eyes of the PR people who are doing the product seeding. Telling someone you appreciate the kicks they're wearing may open doors to people you never thought was possible.
Act professional.
You don't have to be a professional athlete, writer or celebrity in order to provide enough value for a brand to send you free sneakers (clearly, look at us). However, you do need to clean up your act a little bit if you don't have millions of fans, readers or followers. Thus doesn't mean stop cussing and wearing button ups (no shots at Jay-Z) but the same type of things that will get Rick Ross dropped from Reebok will keep you from getting free sneakers. Ignorance is bliss but it's still ignorance.
Make your words valuable.
It isn't just about followers. Feedback is important to every brand and every person who seeds product from a brand. If the only things you say are 'quality sucks' and 'shoe game fucked up' then nobody needs to send you anything to find out your opinion.
Become an educator.
Following up on the adding value to your words, it's important to lead by example. Pointing out flaws is fine if you follow it with useful suggestions. If people can see you know what you're talking about, they can take your criticism and potentially do something about it.
Be honest.
The point of anyone sending you free sneakers initially is feedback. Brands need to know how people that are really into sneakers feel about their products. We're not talking about the liquid diet of digital courage that most cats on Twitter pretend to be. We're talking constructive criticism and valuable information that they can take back to their team and improve on things with. Telling every brand they're the best or the next best thing is only going to make you look like an idiot when they lose millions of dollars in sales because their product flops. Cosign stuff but offer advice that helps people improve when you're asked for your opinion.
Build relationships.
All of this adds up to one thing. Building quality relationships. Social media gives you access to just about anyone but it's no different than any other relationship, there has to be something for both sides for it to make sense. You know, the same way you treat the ladies, right guys? Get to know someone before you ask them to give up the goods.
Become your own brand.
Not in the sense that you are competing for business with big dogs and trying to sell sneakers but rather, make a name for yourself amongst the community. If you're trusted by other sneaker enthusiasts you become a valuable asset for anyone, whether they're looking to send out free kicks or buy them based on your advice. People don't want to mess with negative people so become a positive influence and good things will come from it.
Stop trolling and begging on Twitter.
Nobody likes trolls or beggars. It's become a serious problem in the sneaker game and it's not just the newbies that are doing it. It doesn't do anyone any good and it surely isn't going to get you any free sneakers. It lands you a bunch of fuckboys as fans. Like Ice Cube said, 'Big Ds in your mouth is bad for your health.'
Steal them.
Just kidding, yo. Just kidding.