It CAN be done - but it's extraordinarily difficult. Greg Frazier and Helge Pedersen do it, and one or two in Europe.

Every traveller would love to get sponsored and sell articles to magazines. The reality is that there is little sponsorship interest in North America for mc travel, and every mc magazine is regularly inundated with articles on long distance travel. Too many people wanting to do it and not enough money to go around. One mag told me they print one in twenty submissions. So only the very best writing, with pro quality photos even have a chance.

Unless you are doing something VERY special I don't hold much hope of getting any significant sponsorship. Any you do get will be far more trouble than it's worth. The sponsor expects something for his money, and he doesn't have to give very much to expect a lot back! Regular reports, excellent photos showing his product in action in horrendous conditions, magazine articles about you and by you - and you now have an idea how hard that is - mean that it's just not worth it.

I know one European traveller who was sponsored all the way around the world - female, (a big plus for a sponsor) very outgoing, and spent AT LEAST half her time RTW on sponsorship stuff - scrounging for more money, commitments to sponsors for events and personal appearances, writing articles and sending out photos and articles constantly. And most of her money came from her home country, not the major companies. She has said to me that she wished she didn't have to deal with sponsors at all.

As for work abroad - depending on what you do, you MAY be able to find good paying work abroad. BUT usually you are unable to work legally, therefore you work illegally at poor pay.

We have worked abroad, by working for an international company and getting assignments in various countries.

Slide show tours don't pay anything significant as a rule. Helge does a major production and makes it pay, but I doubt there is room for another one. Perhaps, but unless your whole life is centred around marketing yourself as a world travel guru, the film will cost more than you'll ever make.

Having said that, my advice is always to just go and do it! Plan your trip around how much money you want to spend, leaving yourself as much as you feel you want to come home to. You'll enjoy the trip far more without the responsibilities of keeping sponsors happy, or even worrying about magazine articles. Shoot the photos YOU care about. Do what makes YOU happy, and you'll have a fantastic trip you'll remember for the rest of your life with pleasure.

Hope that helps!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com