CoachBook – revolutionizing social media in the coaching industry

by Matt Clark | July 14th, 2010 | View Comments

Imagine a site where users could send friends messages, customize personal profiles, network through online chats, and have the ability to stay in contact with those whom they may not be able to see on a daily basis. No, I am not talking about Facebook, but rather the new and upcoming networking site for coaches, performance specialists, and sport professionals called CoachBook.

CoachBook is a powerful networking site that enables users to have the ability to connect with other coaches. Those who become members of the site have the ability to leave comments on as many profiles as they wish, invite friends, join groups, reply to discussions in forums, create a personal profile, and dive into a list of job postings from around the country. Anyone can sign up on CoachBook—it’s easy and free. CoachBook encourages members to create a profile that allows them to promote not only themselves, but also their website, products, services, or company.

The ABC’s of Asking for Referrals

by Frank Agin | July 13th, 2010 | View Comments

There was once a member in a Chapter who sold computer equipment. Just before joining the organization, he had sold dozens of computers to a local school system. Apparently, the state legislature had earmarked a billion dollars for school systems to upgrade their computer equipment and this particular member had come across an opportunity to tap into a small piece of these allocated funds.

After joining, this individual was eager to use the contacts in the organization to identify more school systems that he could sell upgraded computers. As these opportunities represented major transactions for him, each week he focused his infomercials on seeking contacts and inroads into local school systems.

Although articulately said, nothing came from his requests. The problem was that no one had legitimate contacts into school systems (partially because most Chapter members did not have school-aged children). After a year of trying, the member stood at the Chapter meeting when it was his time to speak and proceeded to resign his membership, stating that he had just not gotten any referrals.

Sports Networker Event in London

by Lewis Howes | April 28th, 2010 | View Comments

Sports Networker returns to the international stage when it teams up with the UK Sports Network for an exciting sports professionals networking event at the Sports Bar & Grill in London.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m on May 17, 2010, and sports professionals will have the opportunity to network in what will be one of London’s premier sports restaurants to watch the 2010 World Cup this summer.

The UK Sports Network is a group founded by Daniel McClaren that strives to share its expertise on sports social media and the industry’s latest trends with sports professionals. Since its inception, in November 2009, nearly 1,000 sports professionals now seek the insight and creativity that the UK Sports Network offers.

All sports professionals are welcome to attend this event and learn from the experts on social media and the latest developments in the sports industry. Admission is £10 GBP if you sign up now, and £15 GBP at the door. Stay posted for updates about the event by registering for it on LinkedIn here.

To receive early bird pricing and ensure your spot at this event (as there is limited spacing) register below and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

In the Trenches: Building Your Network

by Lewis Howes | February 15th, 2010 | View Comments

(This is a guest article by Cabe Flesher)

As the old saying goes, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and this can’t ring more true than in the wide world of sports, specifically sponsorships sales. We are out there everyday trying to get in the door somehow and we have all heard the phrase, “Oh, I know someone I can call or email”.

Well, speaking from the trenches, it’s best to build on that network as much as possible. Networking now isn’t always about hitting the latest local networking event, which we all know is filled with the same sales people trying to sell each other and vying for the for real buyers in the room. It’s more about reaching out to our peers on a national level trying to develop a bond there that will someday pay off. Let’s face it we got into sponsorships because we want to get paid. So however you can achieve that should be your goal.

How to Network at a Sports Symposium

by Darren Heitner | December 1st, 2009 | View Comments

darren 02 We are about to enter Sports Symposium season. This Friday is the granddaddy of them all: The Princeton Sports Symposium. Amongst the panelists are former Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox general manager Roland Hemond, Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci, President of Ponturo Management and chairman of the Leverage Agency sports marketing firm Tony Ponturo, IMG agency’s executive vice president of sports programming Barry Frank, etc.

Other fantastic symposiums that are right around the corner include the UF Sports Law Symposium on January 29, 2010 and the University of Miami’s 13th Annual Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium on February 5, 2010. Travel costs in this economy are not always easy to justify, but these events are some of the best places to learn about the business of sports. They are also the premier spots to network with the sports industry’s leaders.

The Huddle: Nothing Beats a Team

by Frank Agin | November 30th, 2009 | View Comments

golf 01 The sights and sounds of summer are arguably the best of the year. Ask most anyone and they will list summer as one of their favorite times of year.

If you ask why, you will get a variety of answers. Some will cite the long, sunny days filled with enjoying time at the beach. Others might mention backyard cook outs with family and friends. Still others will bring into the conversation an occasional round of golf.

The game of golf is unique in that there is something in the game for everyone. You can start playing when you are young and enjoy it until you are in retirement years. As long as you are able walk a few feet and swing your arms, you can play golf (not necessarily well, but you can still play).

Why Can’t Anyone Remember Your Name?

by Bill Guertin | September 29th, 2009 | View Comments

Name tag You’ve done it before.

You’re at a networking event, a bar, a neighbor’s apartment, or wherever there are people you’ve not met before. Someone introduces you to someone else, and instantly their name goes in one ear and out the other. You struggle to try to get it back, but it’s gone forever.

DOH!

Why does that happen? Simple: our brain is processing something else at that moment, and we just didn’t prioritize remembering the name.

If it happens to you all the time, chances are YOUR name is forgotten by others just as quickly. If you could just figure out a way to help others instantly remember you better, your name recognition – and potentially your sales – would increase.

Should Sports Agents Network With Their Competition?

by Darren Heitner | August 17th, 2009 | View Comments

Love your Enemies

“If you’re an agent, don’t be friends with other agents.”

It should not come as a surprise that the agent who wrote the statement above is one of only a very few in my industry that I do not get along with. He attempts to steal clients from other companies, talks down on his competition instead of listing his positive qualities to potential clients, and will be dealt with by his players’ association, and hopefully weeded out of the industry. But is he correct in his statement? If you are an agent, should you treat all other agents as your enemies and never speak to them, only about them?

Sports Career Builders

by Mark Tudi | July 28th, 2009 | View Comments

Professional Development & Sports Career Management

More than 45 million people find themselves unemployed each year. Millions of others try to increase their satisfaction within the workplace as well as advance their careers by looking for alternative jobs and opportunities. Statistics show that you will make more than 10 job changes and between three and five career changes during your lifetime.

Many people transition into a sports career by accident. They do little career planning, other than take advantage of opportunities that arise unexpectedly. While chance and luck do play important roles in finding employment, when you plan for future sports career changes, you will experience even greater degrees of chance and luck!

Being a Networking Decathlete

by Lewis Howes | June 24th, 2009 | View Comments

The decathlon is a track and field competition involving 10 events – five on each of two successive days. Performances in the 10 events are scored by reference to a points table. The individual accumulating the highest number of points after the 10 events is declared the winner.

The decathlon is a menu of athletic events, testing an individual’s speed, endurance, strength, skill and determination. It clearly reflects the ancient Greek ideal of all-around, balanced excellence in sports. In fact, every four years, the winner of the Olympic Decathlon is dubbed the World’s Greatest Athlete, a title that has been bestowed on Americans such as Jim Thorpe, Bob Mathias, Rafer Johnson, Bill Toomey, Bruce Jenner and Dan O’Brien.

The notion of the decathlon is not limited to the arena of track and field competition, however. Consider any other sport or athletic competition. Victory or success generally goes to the well-rounded competitor or team and not the individual or team with a single overpowering attribute. For example, those considered to be the world’s best gymnasts are those who have competency in most, if not all, of several different gymnastic apparatus.