Advice on Digital Personalities for NCAA Student Athletes

With the NCAA now allowing student athletes to profit off of their own names, there are about to be way more athlete influencers emerging. Brand deals, speaking gigs, personal projects–they’re all on the table for student athletes now. 

It will be interesting to see how student athletes approach their social media presences. Much of their inspiration will likely come from pro athletes they admire. But I’m not so sure college athletes should be modeling their strategies after pro athletes.

There’s a big difference between a broadcast personality and a digital personality. A broadcast personality is scripted. It’s buttoned up, it’s PR safe, and it speaks corporate language. A digital personality is natural. It’s in-tune with reality and it speaks directly to consumers, not through a big brand. Most pro athlete endorsement deals have athletes using a broadcast personality. The great ads with Lebron James and Peyton Manning that we all remember aren’t perfect models for digital personalities. 

I would advise student athletes to take inspiration from Instagram creators and YouTube vloggers. Their success on the field will earn them a platform off the field. Owning that platform and learning how to leverage it will be crucial for sustained success. By cultivating a community on an owned digital platform, student athletes can leverage that into brand deals, speaking gigs, and business startups. 

Here’s a quick note to student athletes: Choose a digital platform and start publishing content before you’re ready. It’ll take some time to get comfortable using your voice online, but once you get the hang of it, doors will begin opening. Your time as a student athlete won’t last forever. And even if you go pro, your time as a professional athlete won’t last forever. You’ll need to do something else after you play your last game. But if you cultivate an audience with the platform you have now, that could last forever. It could fuel future endeavors for your entire life. 

Good luck out there! 

P.S. If you know a student athlete, send this post their way. Thanks!