*This post shares 8 ideas on how student-athletes can earn NIL money fast, and the best times to launch a business to maximize your NIL earning potential.
If you’re a student-athlete and eligible to earn NIL money, there are tons of ways you can capitalize on your Name, Image and Likeness fast. That means not having to wait multiple seasons to make money, or for a sponsorship opportunity to approach you.
These money-making ideas also apply to mid-major athletes who may not get the kind of exposure that high-major athletes get. There are SO many ways DI, DII and DIII athletes can make money, it’s just about creating opportunities that work for you.
Another thing: if big brands aren’t asking you to partner with them as a top high school or collegiate athlete… that’s okay! There are so many opportunities athletes to make money and tap into opportunities that you are passionate about. Sometimes, a lack of partnership can be a blessing in disguise, meaning you can create and grow a business that you have total control over.
Before we jump in, it’s important to note that the kind of work you find will depend on the level of commitment you can provide during the season. For example:
- Preseason. Can you say “EXHAUSTED”? This is probably not the time you’re thinking about actively making income, instead you may be icing your joints, taking classes and mentally preparing for tomorrow’s workout. Passive income is probably the best type of income for you to achieve during this time.
- The season. if you’re attending class, practicing, lifting, traveling and competing, this might not be the best time to grow your business. Light or moderate work in growing your business would be ideal during this time of year
- Postseason. this is probably the best time to launch you business, earn active income, and plan for the busy months ahead.
How to Make NIL Money Fast
1. Create social content for small businesses
Does the content you create on Ticktock, Twitter, Facebook, etc. get shared or garner hundreds-to-thousands of views? Try creating content for small businesses or entrepreneurs and charge for your services. You can do anything from creating social media posts, to editing videos, putting together reels and more for entities like local businesses, real-estate companies, and designers looking to build their brand.
Business timeline: Offer your services during the off season and preseason. Once you’ve found freelance work, devote a few hours during the season to create and schedule content for your clients so that their products and/or services are being promoted regularly. On average, part time social media managers get paid $22 an hour. If you start with a portfolio of 2 clients and provide them each with 2 hours of content creation ($22 an hour x 4 hours a week) before taxes, you could bring in $4,500 a year in additional income.
2. Create an eCommerce store
If you already have a product line, set up an eCommerce store that can help sell your products quickly. If you love to design items, especially products that you can’t find in stores but would wear (I’m talking about gear, unique accessories, apparel, and more) you could tap into a super niche market. You can also market your designs on campus or when you’re traveling with your team if your program permits it.
Business timeline: Post-season is the perfect time to create a product mix, secure a supplier, and set up an online store. During preseason and the season, continue to design new products and promote your existing products virtually.
3. Sell Services
Even if you have little-to-no official work experience, you can utilize your existing skill-set!
There are so many platforms like Fiverr and Upwork where you can sell your own services. For example: if you’re a great writer you can start a business that helps proofread work (calling all of my English majors out there!) If you have a knack for coding, you can develop websites.
Business timeline: Marketing and promoting your services can be done during any time of the year.
4. Run your own camp
Running a camp is a great way to make a lot of money at once. Depending on your sport, summer may be the best time to host a sports camp. Many parents would rather pay a student-athlete who is currently immersed in their sport year-round than work with a random person. Make sure to get the proper permits or fees needed to rent out a space, and market your camp(s) on social media. Your following will grow each summer.
Business timeline. Decide where and when you’ll host your camp a few months beforehand. Before you market your camp and collect payments, make sure you have all the necessary permits needed to host your camp, an emergency plan, and a good group of staff or counselors ready to work.
5. Sell guides
Did you know your campers may want to follow in your footsteps one day? Digital or printed materials can help prepare younger athletes and their parents for what to expect at the high school or collegiate level. You can put your own fun or creative twists on topics like:
- How to become a college athlete and go to school for free
- How to survive your first semester of school as a student-athlete
- What to eat (and not to eat) while training to become a collegiate athlete
Business timeline: creating a guide can be done at any time of the year. Look at your course load, your workout, competition and travel schedules to see what time of the year gives you more flexibility to create your guide. Once published, this can be a great source of passive income that you can share online or at camps
6. Host personal training sessions
Maybe organizing a camp is too much work, or maybe you’re not able to secure space (I get it…. in my hometown veteran camp directors have a lock on courts, parks and gyms as early as the spring!) Instead, look into hosting individual training sessions or small group sessions. Depending on your client, some athletes may have access to a home gym, a private court or other space which will save you time from finding a workout space for this group.
Business timeline: personal training can happen at any time of the year. As a former athlete, I had more time in preseason, and even more time during the post season. Consider marketing your business via social media during the season, and spend time growing and training clients during preseason or the post season.
7. Become a tutor
So many athletes excel in the classroom. An easy way to make money during the year is to host tutoring sessions at your college of for local high school students. Besides focusing on subjects like math, science and history, helping students prepare for their ACT’s and SAT’s are a great way to earn income on the side.
Business timeline: your tutoring business can happen at any time of the year. Take a look at your class, workout, and competition schedules to see what dates/times work best for you during the year.
8. Find a part-time job
Finally, finding a traditional part-time job will help you get paid shortly after you start. I had a ton of college friends in college who worked at study hall, our library, and other desk jobs that sometimes allowed them to work on assignments during slow hours.
Business timeline: Seasonal jobs like this would be ideal for post-season when you’re not competing, traveling or practicing often.
How to make NIL money fast? It’s really about finding opportunities that you are passionate about, that work for you, and that fit your busy athletics schedule.