Fighter Advice Part 2 - Marketability. Everyone knows (or should know) your career as a amateur MMA athlete should be utilized to test your skill set against live, fully resistant opponents and gain practical experience. Almost every single athlete Ive ever met expresses a desire to become a professional and potentially get to the big show. Im all for ones pursuit of their dreams. Actually, I fully encourage it but, if you dont build a solid foundation and put a plan behind it, more often than not, thats all it will ever be..a dream. While you are ammy, take the time to put some essential components in place that will help you build your value as a pro. Some are very very simple to do, and take very little effort.... 1. Consider your career as your portfolio that you will present to future customers. Those customers are the promoter, your sponsors, current and future fans, etc. Going undefeated against easy competition will not build your value. Protecting that 0 on the end of your record by taking easy competition only serves to present your lack of confidence in your ability, in effect, selling yourself short. Many think that 0 will help them. Actually, it hinders you. Fight even or slightly up to consistently test your skill set, gain experience, and present to your future customers a trend of improvement. It will exponentially help speculate your future value. I want to point out that Im hesitant to label a promoter as a athletes employer. Truth of the matter is you the athlete are a entity contracted for performance(s), not a commodity to utilize, expend, and ultimately discard. 2. Prepare a fight stance photo, walk out music, social media presence, etc, in advance of competition. Have it readily available to present to a promoter upon acceptance of a match. A smart promoter will market EVERY bout on a card, not just the co-main and main event. Your readiness will help you present yourself as a prepared and determined athlete who is engaged in their own growth. Engage your fans regularly on social media sites and help bring attention to the event your are competing on. The growth of a events casual fans means a potential growth in your fan base as well. Use the opportunity to create and grow a loyal fan base that will follow you, not only on social media, but to the event as well. 3. Create and maintain a identity so your fans will connect instantly with a image or sound unique to you the moment they see or hear it. A great way to do that is through your walk out music. A unique and identifiable walk out song will instantly connect with fans. They will grow to know who you are the moment the hear it. I would suggest contacting Mikey Rukus to explore your options. Many will assume it costs a small fortune to have a walk out song created...it doesnt. Also, consider the potential earnings you will throw away because the casual fan doesnt identify with you because theyve heard the same songs over and over used by multiple athletes at multiple events. Itll help you stand out from the crowd. 3. Share, mention, etc all the info for a upcoming event you are competing on to keep your fans engaged and informed. They cant show for what they dont know. Use the event poster as your profile picture, make regular mentions of the event, encourage your fans to share the info, and make certain to thank ALL of them for their support of your endeavors. 4. Be a POSITIVE force in EVERYTHING you do in and out of the cage. Nobody is a fan of drama. We all have our own challenges in our lives. Fans want to get behind athletes that inspire them, are exciting, and they can identify with. What they dont want is a arrogant, opinionated, rude, egocentric athlete. Fans buy tickets for two distinct reasons, to support a specific athlete, and to be entertained. Nobody wants to get behind the guy who reminds them of their boss at work who just has to be prick. 5. FOLLOW UP...thank your fans and all the supporters of a event. Share images of the event, etc. Be receptive to taking photos with fans after your bout and engaging the fans (even those you dont know directly) and thank them for attending the event. 6. Make the presence of the facility you train at evident to everyone in your community. Share the positive aspects of training and competition and encourage them to come visit you at the gym. Your fan base will always begin with family, friends, and training partners...extend that base by engaging their friends, family, and your local community at large. Display to them why you are so passionate about what you do and help them connect with that passion. Above all, remember, you are your own best advocate. Be consistent...keep things positive and moving in a forward direction.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:19:46 +0000
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