career in sports

Is Sports Sales For You?

by |December 2nd, 2011

This is a guest post by Henry de Con
sports salesIt’s common knowledge that sports sales is the easiest path to start your career in sports, but as you can probably assume its also the hardest task. Sales in any industry is a challenge, so it should come as no surprise that it’s just as rough in sports.  Not only are you selling the professional sporting event, but the players, atmosphere, and perks.  You’ll encounter a lot of objections, excuses, and hang ups.  Sports may be the career for you, but are you ready to take on sales to get there?

Sports Sales – Things To Consider

Don’t let the introduction scare you off.  Everybody’s reaction to the sports sales experience is different.  Here are some personal things to look at within yourself if you’re thinking about starting a career in sports sales.
  1. Are you an aggressive person? The key to getting a sale is being aggressive. You can’t take no for an answer but only as further reason to convince the client why they need this product.
  2. Can you handle rejection? Imagine breaking up with your significant other every 5 minutes when working in sports sales. You’ll spill out your best pitch only to get an “I’m not interested, please stop calling.” Then you’ll hang up and make another call. Can you handle that for an 8 hour shift everyday?
  3. Are you confident? Sports sales is not for those who are shy. You will be in an office making calls for everyone to hear. You will make mistakes and stutter and everyone will hear you.
  4. Do you have a competitive nature? You’ll succeed more in sports if you’re competitive. You will be surrounded by co-workers who are making sales. Although you’ll be happy for them, their success is supposed to drive you to want to make sales and beat them. Nobody wants to be at the bottom of the sales lists.
  5. Are you a self-starter? You will receive a call list to start off, but if you really want to be successful, you will have to prospect on your own. Are you the type of person who will branch out and find leads without someone assisting you?
If you answered yes to all of the above, then you may be ready for a career in sports sales.
Do you have any other tips on how to excel in sports sales?

About Lewis Howes

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Find a Job in Sports: Be Your Own PR Agent

by |January 26th, 2010

a natural soundI’ve decided to take a detour from writing about current issues and events surrounding sports public relations to provide some simple tips to young people entering the business.

I recently read a query from a college-age man who is set to graduate this spring. He asked for advice from the panel about how to get a job in sports the sports industry. I asked myself, “What took you so long to ask?”

My post today is an effort to help people who are preparing for this stage of education not have to ask that question. You’re read it right – as a second-semester senior in college, you will hopefully not have to ask how to break into your field of choice because you’ll have already done your research, laid a foundation for your own brand and even completed an internship or two. In essence, you must create your own public relations campaign and pitch yourself.

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About Gail Sideman

Twenty years of public relations experience, including 10 in NCAA Division I sports information during which she received national awards for her work, have helped Gail Sideman emerge as a nationally-respected publicity professional in sports, social media and publishing. She is also a veteran support staffer of sports television crews for events that include the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA regular and postseason and others. You may learn more information about Sideman's business at www.publiside.com or follow her at www.twitter.com/PUBLISIDE and www.facebook.com/gail.sideman.

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