Unless you’re a DI athlete that plays for a big-time program (ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, etc.) big brands probably won’t be reaching out to you for NIL deals.
That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to earn NIL money, you just need to strategize and put in the work to get your name out there. Below are 7 steps to help you connect with brands and secure NIL partnerships.
The Ultimate Guide to Securing NIL Brand Deals: Strategies and Tips
Create a strategy. Once you’ve established your brand you should put a strategy together to help you create your target list of business. Think about the following questions:
- What are your goals? How much money are you trying to earn? Are you trying to supplement your scholarship? Or maybe you’re trying to earn a little extra cash through gift cards, free food or gear. Whatever it is, identify your goals early in the process.
- How much time do you have? How much time are you willing to dedicate for NIL money? Depending on your sport and the time of year, you may have a lot of time to make calls, contact business, or visit potential partners. The amount of time you’re willing to invest can help you determine the amount of money you can earn.
- Who is your audience? Are you targeting businesses that only market to your sport, or are you trying to reach brands that you also identify with outside your sport?
Do your research. Research businesses that are a good fit and match with your brand. Examples might include restaurants, shops, sporting good companies, awards shops, and more.
Think local. The easiest place to find NIL deals start at home, within your community. If you go to school away from home, you can target both your college city and hometown for partnership opportunities
Reach out. Be aggressive with your outreach. Email, DM or call brands to express your desire market their products or services. If you don’t hear back, mix up your approach. For example, I would reach out to multiple companies at least 3 times if I don’t hear back from them:
- Week 1: Email ‘company x’ and let them know you want to promote their goods or services
- Week 2: If you haven’t heard back, follow up with ‘company x’ with a call or a personal visit to follow up
- Week 3: Follow up again with another email to express your interest
Network. This may seem really old school, but showing up to events to network is a great way to meet business leaders and secure NIL money. Check out local events online by looking at websites like Eventbrite. Also consider events like free sports classes, networking events and more as opportunities for you to meet face-to-face with business owners.
Build your audience. Building your presence on social media will help extend your marketing reach. Being active on at least one platform like Instagram or Ticktock will help give you more reach and attract the attention of brands that live outside of your circle.
Check out campus resources. Your school might have a space where athletes can go to secure NIL support. If you’re not sure, check in with your compliance department to see if they can help you match with partnerships.