Athlete Performance Training - Your A&R Guide to Adding Brand Workouts to Your NFL Draft Plan
Off-Field Performance Training
You’re in the thick of training for the combine and pro days. The National Football League (NFL) draft is right around the corner. The United Football League has made its selections. You’re full steam ahead in the preparation to show who you are on the field, And, that requires a lot of work, a tremendous amount of discipline, and quite frankly the right team.
Part of that team should include a designated person whose focus is on polishing and/or enhancing your brand. Your public persona (displayed either through social media and/or partnerships) tells a story to fans, potential coaches and teams, other brands, and pretty much all consumers of your content. What brand are you communicating? You typically only get one shot. Your authenticity and reputation (A&R) are your own and it’s in your best interest to avoid crisis communication from an Instagram mishap or misunderstood interview soundbite.
So, let’s get ahead of it all with this A&R guide for how you can add brand workouts to your NFL draft plan.
DRILL #1 - SPEED
Quickly, with speed, complete a digital audit. That means scrubbing the internet (particularly social media) and removing anything that may have a negative connotation on your reputation. You can also work with a professional (and/or service) to remove negative results from search engines and improve your overall online reputation. You are in control of how much of your off-the-field life you share. Choose wisely. You’ll want to choose before the choice is made for you. Don’t get caught in the web of social media pitfalls.
DRILL #2 - POWER
There is so much power in words. Creating and controlling your narrative is something you want to establish very early on in your career. Work diligently to find your method and comfort when presenting yourself to the public. Word of advice - always remain honest, accountable, and transparent when communicating. Whether it is media, coaching staff, team owners, or brand representatives - your word is your bond.
That’s where media training comes in! Interviewing (whether it is with a team or a journalist) doesn’t always come naturally. So, just like anything else it is always better to train for it. Proper media training can be a game changer for your overall brand delivery. When you are being asked questions at rapid fire, it is normal to feel vulnerable. Going through interview drills adds that extra layer of confidence and security so you know that you are in control of every interview because your responses have the power to shape that conversation, your career, and your future.
DRILL #3 - STRENGTH
Strength is defined as the quality or state of being physically strong. Establishing your domain(s) and trademarks displays your quality or state of being strong in brand markings. Ownership in these two areas enables athletes the ability to take legal action when deemed necessary to protect their name, image, and/or likeness.
DRILL #4 - AGILITY
When running routes you have to be able to pivot. In today’s game, you can’t be one-directional in any position. That goes for your brand as well. So think about how you want to remain nimble while transitioning from a collegiate athlete to a professional setting. This may or may not include ending or renegotiating current NIL agreements.
DRILL #5 - ENDURANCE
How’s your stamina? It’s not going to be easy. But you already know that. It’s all part of the journey. Keeping up with your content schedule is just as important as keeping up with your sleep schedule. How you relay your draft plan story is embedded inside your content planning. Do you have any media interviews lined up? What are you posting on your social media channels during this time? Have a content plan. Remember, you are being evaluated on and off the field. So plan all of your communications.
Once you run through these drills you should be well prepared to deliver your A&R. No matter the outcome of the draft, these steps should be taken by every prospect. This may seem like a lot to manage but it is certainly nothing to stress over. That is why having a great team is a key aspect of every athlete’s success.
If you as an athlete, an agent/management team, or a combine athlete performance facility have not embedded the development of these skills in your NFL draft plan(s) and need additional assistance with doing so (or have general questions) reach out to us at create@brandsbybry.com.
Your brand is your voice. We are happy to partner with you to find the right pitch for the perfect S.O.N.G. (Success Of Nobel Greatness).
WE’RE READY TO JOIN YOUR TEAM!
DOWNLOAD YOUR A&R GUIDE CHECKLIST FOR ADDING BRAND WORKOUTS TO YOUR NFL DRAFT PLAN
Artists and repertoire or A&R oversee the artistic development of recording artists and songwriters. Brands By Bry is the authenticity and reputation (A&R) firm that oversees the brand development of athletes, agencies, and executives.
