Launching on ralli is one thing. Turning your profile into a community that actually funds you is another. The athletes who grow fastest are not always the most famous — they are the ones who know how to invite the right people in.
Your first backers should not be cold traffic. They should be the people who already believe in you: family, friends, former coaches, local businesses, ex-teammates, and the parents who have watched you train in the rain. This is your founding backer circle, and it is the foundation of everything that comes next.
Why your founding circle matters
Before strangers ever trust you with their monthly support, they look for social proof. A profile with 25 engaged backers looks completely different from one with two. Your founding circle creates momentum, credibility, and early conversation — and that momentum is what convinces the next wave of people to join.
There is also a practical reason: your founding members are the ones most likely to hit milestones with you, earn ralli Rewards™ points, and stay subscribed long enough to see the whole story.
Step 1: Make a list of 50 people
Brainstorm 50 people who have ever supported your sport. Do not edit the list. Include:
- Family and close family friends
- Current and former coaches
- Ex-teammates and training partners
- Local businesses you already know
- Parents from your club or academy
- Teachers, mentors, and sports administrators
- Social followers who comment on your posts
You are not asking these people for charity. You are offering them a real seat inside your journey. Reframe it that way and the ask feels completely different.
Step 2: Send a personal message
Mass DMs feel impersonal. A short, direct message from you feels meaningful. Use this rough structure:
"Hey [name], I am launching my athlete profile on ralli — it is a platform where people can back me monthly and follow my journey properly. I thought of you because you have [specific reason]. No pressure at all, but if you want to be part of it, I would love to have you in my circle. Here is the link: [your profile]"
The key details: mention their name, say why you thought of them, keep it low pressure, and make the next step obvious.
Step 3: Share your 'why' publicly
Post to your main channels once your profile is live. Do not just drop the link. Tell a short story: what you are training for, what the funding covers, and why this season matters. A sentence about what backers get — updates, milestone rewards, inside access — makes the post feel valuable, not needy.
Example: "For the next 12 months I am chasing [goal]. ralli lets the people who believe in me back that journey properly — monthly updates, verified milestones, and rewards when I hit targets. If that is you, the link is in my bio."
Step 4: Make it easy to say yes
Remove every friction point. Make sure your profile has:
- A clear hero photo
- A short, honest bio
- Your ultimate goal and funding target
- At least one milestone already visible
- Links from your Instagram, TikTok, or Linktree
Backers decide in seconds. If your profile is vague or empty, they will scroll past.
Step 5: Thank people publicly
When someone joins your circle, thank them. A story shout-out, a personal message, or a quick video goes a long way. Public gratitude makes backers feel seen and makes other people curious about what they joined.
What to expect in your first month
Most founding athletes land between 10 and 30 backers in their first month if they actively share their profile. That is not a fortune, but it is proof. It is momentum. And it is enough to unlock the next stage of growth.
Remember: every major backer community started with one person who said yes. Your job is to find the first 10, then make the experience so good that they invite the next 10.
Ready to build your circle?
If your profile is already live, start with your list of 50 today. If you have not applied yet, apply to join ralli and get your rally point set up.
Success is better shared.
— Team ralli