Sports employers regard volunteering as a viable way to gain sports industry experience. So if you don’t have any experience, by all means, volunteer! It’s by far the quickest and easiest way to gain sports business experience. Volunteering shows proof that you’re a go-getter and that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to launch your…
Chris McKinney
Author Archive | Chris McKinney
How to Unleash Your Sports Career ‘BHAG’ to Get to the Next Level
Jim Collins wrote a best-selling business book entitled, . In the book he and co-author, Jerry Porras, coined the term, “Big Hairy Audacious Goals.” BHAG (pronounced, Bee-hag) is a strategic business statement which is created to focus an organization on a single, medium-to-long-term goal, which is audacious. Those on the outside of the company are likely…
Why Positioning Yourself as an Expert Can Help You Break Into Sports
If your number one career goal is to land a job in sports, one of the most important things you can do is position yourself as an expert. However, if you’re just starting out, your work experience will be limited. So be careful about labeling yourself as an expert. Expertise takes years. Decades sometimes. A…
5 Quick Tips to Help You Overcome the Frustration of Breaking Into Sports
If you’re still trying to land that elusive first job in sports, there’s no doubt you’re feeling some level of frustration. I get lots of emails that express that frustration such as, “I don’t even know where to begin!” Or, “I got an internship, but can’t find a full-time job!” Or, “It doesn’t seem like…
3 Keys to Making “Meaningful Connections” at Live Sports Networking Events
If your goal is to work in the sports business industry, make sure “Live Networking” is part of your career-launching strategy. Not sure what that means? Live Networking includes networking in-person at trade shows, conferences, seminars and workshops. Jobs don’t appear out of thin air. You have to network! 3 Keys to Meaningful Connections: #1: Your…
Why Your “Identity” Can Help You Land a Job in Sports
NFL General Managers talk about it. NFL coaches talk about it. Even NFL sportswriters talk about it. What is it? It’s your “Identity.” Award-winning sportswriter, Rick Gosselin says, “When I study the New York Giants I know exactly what they are. Their philosophy hasn’t changed in 30 years. Big bodies from big schools — New…
The Secret to Breaking Into Sports
Want to know the secret to breaking into sports? It’s really not much of a secret. You’ve heard it before. Many times, I’m sure. But this time I want you to do something about it. Are you with me? Good. Below are four (not-so-secret) power moves that will help you get to where you want…
The Most Powerful Exercise for Reaching Your Goal of Working in Sports
The single most-powerful mental exercise for achieving your sports career goal is visualization. This is how Harvey Mackay, author of the classic business book, Swim With the Sharks, describes visualization: “I came to realize that fantasizing, projecting yourself into successful situations, is one of the most powerful means there is to achieve personal goals.” Visualization is nothing new. You…
Why Radical Love for Your Profession Will Help You Break Into Sports
Do you love sports? Of course you do. But who cares? Employers in the sports business industry sure don’t. What sports employers really care about is how much love you have for your profession. Imagine Your Love Coming to Life Imagine if you were so crazy in love with sports marketing that you consumed everything…
3 Keys to Winning a Job in the Competitive World of #Sportsbiz
If you want to work in sports, you better be ready to compete. Because like Vince Lombardi once said, “The most competitive games draw the most competitive men,” the sports business world is exactly that. To compete — and win a job — in the highly-competitive sportsbiz landscape, I’ve outlined three keys that will empower…
How Your ‘Intro Letter’ Can Kick Open Any Door in Sports — Including Dallas Cowboys’ Owner Jerry Jones’
Several weeks ago I wrote about The 10 Touch-Points of Personal Branding and how it can help you launch your sports career. Touch-Point numero uno is your “Intro Letter.” Today I’m going to show you why your Intro Letter is so important and how you can write one strong enough to kick open any door…
3 Keys to Launching Your Sports Career
When it comes to launching your sports career, one of the biggest challenges you’ll face is knowing how to begin the career-launching process. To help you with that, I’ve outlined three keys to your success. Develop a Game Plan Schedule Time to Execute the Plan Make a Commitment to Stick With It Develop a Game Plan…