tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58734821467254873882024-02-08T03:21:25.820-07:00My Sports AffairSports affect most people's lives. My life is no exception...and I get to make a living at it.<br>
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The Business of SportsBAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-73819571003240691382009-12-08T09:04:00.002-07:002009-12-08T09:06:32.362-07:00How hard is your newsletter working for you?
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It's been a while since my last blog. I just finished up with the Idaho Hoops Preview, a project that I've done each of the last four years. Check it out by CLICKING HERE.
This post is about some research I did around email marketing. Specifically our electronic newsletter. A big part of Idaho Select's relationship building is through our newsletter. Producing it is not easy, BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-90817187895521397892009-11-12T21:36:00.005-07:002009-11-12T21:49:32.744-07:00How to get the absolute best return on your investment in sports
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It hit me, and anyone else watching Cleveland at Miami on TNT tonight, that there is a simple three step formula to getting the best return on your endoresement investment.
There is always the verbal power of endorsements. And then there is the action form.
Step 1: sign a big name to be the spokesperson for your product like Dwyane Wade.
Step 2: have said spokesman BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-57370640751674981562009-11-04T13:14:00.004-07:002009-11-05T13:56:17.528-07:00No - the next best answer to yes
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The biggest waste of time in any negotiation is when someone you think is a potential partner turns out to be a "no in waiting". These are the people that keep saying things like, "yeah, that sounds interesting. I'll take a look at that" when what they really mean is, "I'm not interested but I'm afraid that if I say no it will be uncomfortable, you won't like me and it will end our BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-23033579762288798152009-10-30T08:53:00.003-06:002009-10-30T18:47:13.918-06:00QUICK TIP: Always give an F.U.
Generally speaking, a good F.U. is a smart move. Sometimes, you might even do it twice.
Every single one of us is busy, especially those of us in sales. But what about the people that we call on? They are even busier and that's why a F.U. (follow up) is crucial to closing deals.
Have you ever heard of a "one call close"? You know, you call on a potential client and they agree to a deal the BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-76826134076143373702009-10-19T13:07:00.001-06:002009-10-19T13:08:04.745-06:00The power of endorsements
Last weekend, I randomly stopped by a cell phone store to pick up a charger for my wife. And in a show of excellent customer service, the guy that helped me went the extra mile to get me what I needed with the support to back it up. So the next day, I posted my experience on Facebook, in case any of my friends were interested. The next thing I know, a buddy of mine that saw the post went to BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-51758110454510002742009-10-13T20:25:00.004-06:002009-10-13T20:59:18.130-06:00Sports social networking next phase in communication
At this point the words Twitter, Facebook and Linked In have become commonplace in our world. If you don't have an account with one of them, you probably know someone that does. But how are these tools being integrated into sports? And, are they achieving any success?
Social networking is another way of starting conversations. In the case of sports, these conversations revolve around fans and BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-4777620558351812312009-10-08T11:15:00.001-06:002009-10-08T11:16:34.578-06:00Where does this rank in email promotion?
I had to share this email. I have my thoughts on it but wanted to put it out there and get your take on it. Is it powerful? Does it motivate? Is it from a bully?
BACKGROUND: I signed up for a webinar on Social Media about a week ago. The webinar was yesterday. At about 6:30 PM Mountain Time two days prior to the webinar (Monday night), I got the following email:
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Vince,
I'llBAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-42886011379952040592009-10-05T16:24:00.001-06:002009-10-05T16:24:06.224-06:00Give 'em something or take something away
In event planning, especially for new or young events, a huge challenge is getting players, participants, spectators and sponsors to commit to the event early. Assuming you have a good reason to get them in early (such as the event will be canceled if you don't get people in by a certain date) the challenge is to create a sense of urgency.
People are funny in that they want everything now butBAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-79208649997565517232009-09-28T15:06:00.043-06:002009-09-29T11:43:32.831-06:00Three reasons to love a bad economy
Like most businesses, the economy has had its effect on Idaho Select. We are still figuring out the best way to move through it and remain successful. And while we don't know what the perfect solution is, there are three specific things that we definitely have learned.
When things are great, everything works. Nobody asks a lot of questions, your clients pretty much move along like BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-54048553918554631012009-09-21T21:57:00.004-06:002009-09-21T22:21:15.313-06:00Customer service is everything - what sports can learn from Verizon
So the other day I'm having problems receiving emails on my Blackberry. I give Verizon a call to check on the problem and the next thing I know, I've signed up for an extra three months of service...and I feel great about it!
I love the customer service that Verizon provides. I have been with the cell company for several years and every time I need some help, their technical support people doBAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-12120116884573182532009-09-14T11:04:00.002-06:002009-09-15T09:48:02.097-06:00Managing your first impression
The other day, I had breakfast with a great friend of mine. We were talking marketing (he is in real estate) and the topic of image and first impressions came up. We were discussing what is appropriate to wear and how your appearance can affect the image you want to portray.
Image is a funny thing. The PC thing to say is that image doesn't matter. That it's the substance of the work you do thatBAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-44108943838514251442009-09-07T15:47:00.001-06:002009-09-07T15:48:06.344-06:00When 7 + 3 = 6Getting your customers to take the action you want can sometimes seem like hitting a moving target. But, when you look at a little theory behind consumer decision making, you see that you can move with the target.
When we do promotions for Idaho Select and any of our events, one of the goals of our marketing campaigns is to create a purchase. There are six steps that have to occur for someone toBAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-53714193024544624902009-09-02T08:58:00.072-06:002009-09-07T11:58:38.655-06:00Event planing starts the day afterRecently, we completed our second annual BAM Jam 3 on 3 charity basketball tournament, www.bamjamboise.com. The feedback was great and as far as we can tell, there were no major incidents. At the end of the day, it was a successful event that grew by almost 40%. Time to take a few months, recharge the batteries, worry about other things and then get ready to go on the 2010 version.
That is BAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873482146725487388.post-56536937236030317082009-08-24T13:21:00.018-06:002009-09-14T11:06:57.758-06:00Opened your eyes? Now they won't close.
Sports are just like any other business. While trying to put out the best product possible, your revenue has to be more than your expenses. Otherwise, there is no product.
My eyes were first opened when I took the Public Relations Director position for the Idaho Stampede, then with the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The managing investor and general manager asked me to go through theBAM Jam Basketballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01848093222992078408noreply@blogger.com1