In college athletics (and sports in general), we usually go by the fiscal year through a very cyclical workflow in regards to goals and objectives.
However, it’s common to start thinking of ways to improve as the calendar year comes to a close.
Through my role within digital, I’ve pinpointed a few things I’m looking at in 2020 - both professionally and personally:
Customer service, at scale.
I would like to continue our efforts within customer service. The private, 1:1 interactions are something very understated in our world and can involve public replies, private messaging and delivering on chatbots.
This goes beyond content through a megaphone. We do this to develop fan relationships even further. Assist and help in times of need, yes -- but more than that: create that actual relationships with our fans, throughout the year.
Surprise and Delights can also not be taken for granted. Offering up tickets, prize, packs, etc. to unexpected fans is a tremendous way to add value to that individual fan relationship. This has been a big, concerted effort for us lately and that will continue into 2020.
Be a good person.
Really, that’s the most important thing you can do. Whether you’re a husband, wife, mother, father, brother, uncle, son, daughter, etc.
Just try to be a good person and impact others, like these friends of mine suggested:
Continue making a difference and impact to help my students and fellow social media professors #SMprofs in their work! 🤩
— Karen Freberg • #SMprof • Author • Consultant (@kfreberg) December 13, 2019
Bonus goal: Continue drinking ☕️ to perhaps finally get a coffee sponsorship! 🤣
My 1️⃣ goal is to continue to help others achieve their goals. #GetSET pic.twitter.com/E3O3CxBWVf
— Danny Kambel (@DannyKambel) December 13, 2019
Be a good Dad!
— David Pillen (@davidpillen) December 13, 2019
Athlete branding.
Wow. Did we see some tremendous examples of this throughout the December National Signing Day period for college football.
This is about getting content into the hands of our student-athletes - helping them with their personal brands. This will assist them with their life after college athletics and continue to maximize their opportunity while playing for a brand bigger than themselves.
This is hugely beneficial to recruiting as athletes will want to go to places that will support their needs (athletically, academically, career-wise, etc.) the best and help get them to the next level -- whether that’s as a professional athlete or going pro in something other than sports.
Putting mental health first
After years and years of ‘the grind’ in social media, I’m beginning to learn more and more about the value of putting our mental health first.
Take the time to step away, when possible. Please.
I know it’s so hard in our 24-7-365 world -- but it’s necessary. It’s something I’ve been working on in this past year and will continue to work in 2020.
One recommendation for you: Stillness is the Key (and other books by Ryan Holiday) was really beneficial and a good intro to Stoicism -- which gives you a good, fresh perspective on what’s really important in life. 10/10.
Put mental health first. Take the time and do it, it's so important!
— Harris Rubenstein (@Sportstein) December 13, 2019
Less, but better.
One of the great theories from another excellent book, Essentialism, is to do Less, but better.
Essentialism, as Greg McKeown shares, isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about doing less, but better, getting only the right things done, as mastery takes a focused, deliberate effort.
And isn’t that what we’re all after in our professions? Mastery.
Work on identifying all the points of our customer journey.
This is a massive undertaking but something we’re beginning to look at -- to truly understand all of our audiences, how they come in touch with our brand and how we can best maximize that relationship wherever they may be on their journey.
It would be very beneficial to have more of this carved out by the end of 2020.
More education.
Just because we are professionals in our jobs does not be mean we can stop learning.
That should never happen.
We need to learn, learn some more -- and then learn again. In this day and age there are a number of avenues we can use to assist with education: books, podcasts, articles, video tutorials, whatever.
You can learn practical skills, theories, principles, etc. -- right on your phone or computer. And it’s what we need to do to stay on top of this heavily busy and innovative industry. There are no more excuses.
More education! Audio books, podcasts etc. use my time more productively to learn more about things that interest me.
— Kyle Benzion (@LantaBenzion) December 13, 2019
Focus on the details.
It’s easy to get caught up on the big projects, as Andrew states below, but it’s essential (there’s that word again!) to focus on the details.
And, really, it’s doing the little things each and every day that lead to the big things.
I have many, but the overarching goal for 2020 for me is:
— Andrew T. Hamilton (@ATH513) December 13, 2019
Do the little things.
So often I enjoy the big projects, cool edits, etc. but get annoyed when I have to focus on the details. I wanna make 2020 about perfecting the smallest details and tasks that I get frustrated with.
New opportunities: I’m starting to look at more opportunities to extend our brand. A couple of these include a LinkedIn page. Using that channel to share the academic and professional side of our department and our student-athletes will be useful. There is so much potential, too, to tie in with our Career Center and Hiring department.
Also, I see Instagram Shopping as a continually important factor in driving merch sales. Those folks have been doing tremendous work integrating the sales function into Instagram.
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BONUS - What is your Word of the Year? Share below in the comments! [Mine is PRESENT.]