On Marketing Yourself

As we've been getting to know wrestlers throughout the country, we've seen Indy wrestlers at the top of their game and those who are just starting out.

One of the struggles that we are hearing from talent, especially those starting out, is how to get noticed.

No matter what you're doing either in the sport or any other sport or discipline is first, understanding that you are not only performers, but accepting the fact you're also in business for yourself. You're wrestlerpreneurs. That means you not only have to perfect your work in the ring, but you are also responsible for your business and its financial success. The buck starts and stops with you.

We're going to just give you some basics for you to gnaw on and digest, and we can talk more one-on-one if you want.

The most important thing to look at and to establish is your brand. Branding in any business is important. Entrepreneur Magazine defines branding as "the marketing practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products."

Look at successful brands inside and outside the business. Of course we know about Apple, Coca-Cola, Taco Bell etc., They have not only distinctive graphics, but they associate that logo or graphic with what they have to offer. Take a look at some of the most popular promotions throughout the country. What are they offering? Now ask yourself what are you offering that sets you apart from the competition? That's called a unique selling proposition otherwise known as USP.

It's really easy for wrestlers once they make the WWE to have their brand taken care of. They're giving a new name, a new logo, new entrance video, etc. But what about you?

Take a few minutes or an hour or two to really sit down and think about your brand. There are thousands upon thousands of wrestlers who are all vying for attention and to make a living in the sport.

What is your brand? Then take it a step further and ask yourself if what you're doing through your words and actions either enhance that brand or distract from it.

One of the wrestlers who immediately come to mind when it comes to branding is RJ City. Not only is he a gifted and skilled wrestler, but he's also a wrestle-median with a wicked sense of humor and knows how to work a room. You know what you're getting when you hire RJ City.

What is the promoter getting and what to the fans get when you're in the house? From how you dress, to how you show up in the locker room and backstage, to your finishing moves, those are all part of your brand.

Vague get answers will get you vague results. Your words and actions either help or hinder your brand.

Let's talk about your website. What does it look like? Do you even have one? These days there are so many places that people get their information from, and it requires you to be savvy when it comes to social media and your online presence. A website by itself won't cut it. You have to be involved on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, etc. and you have to give people content… Fresh content on a regular basis to show people that you are still in the game.

There are ways that you can work smarter and not harder to share that content. A great app for you to use is called Hootsuite which allows you to publish the same content across several different social media platforms.

Look at others who are at the top of the Indy game. Look at their branding. What can you learn from what they have done that can help you?

There's so much that we can talk about, but this is a good starting point. If you'd like to talk about this further, get in touch with us. We're here to help you.