Athletes...Think before you tweet

Coaches, college admissions officers and employers all look at social media to get a glimpse into their candidates personal lives and if you are not careful with the content you post you could hurt your chances of getting a job, into a school or onto a team.  Conversely, a great social media profile could be the catalyst to help you get your fantasy job, into the school of your dreams or onto your favorite team. I attended the Atlanta Business Chronicle  - Business on Sports Summit, last week and Frank Wren  - GM of the Atlanta Braves stated that before he signed Ervin Santana, he checked out Santana’s social media profiles to see what he was posting and whom he was following.  As we all know the Atlanta Braves signed Santana, but it is a mere example, that talent is not the only thing that people are looking at any longer.  What is your social media saying about your brand? 

10 Twitter tips for student and professional athletes:

1.    Tweet with Intent –Before tweeting every athlete should ask himself or herself - Is this post going to help or hurt my brand?  If it will help then by all means share it with the world, if it is going to hurt your brand then delete it…immediately!!!   This includes sharing and retweeting.  If you share and/or retweet something it is considered your original content.  In 2011 Ryan Spadola was a wide receiver at Lehigh University and he retweeted an inappropriate racial reference, which earned him a short suspension. The tweet was erased, but once something is on the Internet it is there forever.  He faced a minor consequence, but not everyone is so lucky.

2.   Empower or Educate – Your tweets should be a source for your readers, whether it inspires them to be better or educates them on something you are passionate about in life. As an athlete you can provide supportive and positive atmosphere for fans, teammates and others following you.

3.   No Drunk Tweets – Often when people are upset they tweet their feelings about someone or something and there is nothing wrong with your tweets being genuine, but remember once something is on the internet you can delete it but it can always be found, so think twice before sending hurtful tweets.

4.   Update your fans – If people are buying into your brand they will want to know what you are doing on and off the field.  Give them a glimpse into your life, so they can feel like they know you. Such as game schedule information, your stats, teams you follow.

5.    Be Visual – Tweets with pictures are retweeted more often than tweets with out images.  Send a picture of yourself during your game, in your jersey or a flyer showcasing something that you are a part of in the community.

6.   Engage – Social media is a place to connect with people you know as well as people you do not know.  Use twitter as a platform to talk with your fans or as I like to call them brand ambassador.  Retweet a meaningful post,  - You can make some ones day by retweeting their message or just mentioning them.  A great tool is on Fridays using the hash tag #FF (Follow Friday) with a host of peoples twitter handles. This is an easy way to single out some of your key fans to make them feel special.

7.   Say Thanks – One way to begin the conversation is to thank new followers for following you and ask them something about themselves.  If their profile says they love football say… Thanks for following. I see you love football who is your favorite college or professional team? Hopefully, they will say your team increasing your bond.  Thanking your fans, family and teammates goes a long way to build your brand.

8.   No online drama – Do not air your dirty laundry on Twitter (or any social media site).  Pick up the phone and call the person you have an issue with, so you can resolve it with out putting unnecessary information on the social media sites. Only use Twitter to build your brand and engage with your followers.  Remember once something is written online even if it is deleted it was seen by someone  (captured by screen shots or saved by other means)

9.   Got a joke – Share your funny stories on Twitter.  Everyone loves to laugh and if it makes others laugh you may get whatever you said retweeted, which in-turn will help to expand your brand/ message.

10.  Be consistent – If you are going to start a Twitter page be ready to tweet on a regular basis. When you amass followers they look forward to seeing what you have to say and engaging with you on a regular basis… do not disappoint them by only tweeting when you have something important to say or if you want something from them.  

Prior to the advent of social medial it was difficult to speak or interact with your favorite athlete, but now they are just a tweet away.  The nation no longer relies on magazines and newspapers to see what athletes and other celebrities are saying, they follow their every move on Twitter and other sites.  That is why it is important that when our High School students are beginning to build their brand via social media they know how and when to use it

Has your school, team or organization hosted a social media branding seminar for your student-athletes and/or professional athletes? If you have we would love to hear what advice you shared and how it has impacted their use of social media. Please feel free to disclose your thoughts in the comments below.  If you have not hosted a seminar then you should definitely consider doing one to show your athletes how to represent themselves and the team.

God Bless

A. Mayartis J.

Turning off turns you on

“You go to your TV when you want to turn your brain off. You go to your computer when you want to turn your brain on.” A quote by Steve Jobs that sounds pretty far fetched, but it is actually quite accurate.  There was a time when I would have my computer by my bedside, so I could work until I was ready to go to sleep and if I woke up in the middle of the night then I would pick up the computer and finished where I left off.  In the morning when I woke up I would say a quick prayer and then turn on the computer even before broke my fast (had breakfast).  So, when my laptop died… I mourned, not only for my dear beloved MacBook, but also because, now I had to start working on my desktop which located in my office.  I thought what a nightmare … I can’t leave my office with my computer, I can’t meet a friend at a coffee shop. I was stuck and had no idea when I was going to be able to get a new laptop.

Initially, I had a pitty party and I was the honored guest, but that did not last long because, God gave me a couple of gentle nudges back to reality

My first wake up call … YOU ARE BLESSED!!! Your laptop died and you

were fortunate enough to have a back up computer, which you do not use, that allowed you to work without missing a beat.  An opportunity others cannot even imagine.

My second wake up call … FREEDOM!!!  There is a sort of freedom… a needed freedom not being attached to a computer all of the time.  At night I was able to read and either relax or expand my knowledge without considering what emails were arriving, what was being said on the social media sites or just doing non-stop research.  In the mornings I spent more time doing daily devotions. I worked out at the gym, something I rarely did before because I was always on the computer. When I returned from my exhilarating exercise, I would cook a great meal and then begin my day… at the computer (some things don’t change).    

Three months later when I purchased my new laptop I returned to my old ways (third wake up call – I had the money to purchase a new computer), but in one of my quiet moments, I sat at in a coffee shop watching people on their phones, Ipads and computers, not communicating with the people around them and I began to imagine a world free of cell phones, lap tops, computer games and televisions.  The only entertainment is a good book, a board game, a great conversation during a home cooked meal or an inspiring walk with a friend.  I wanted this life and decided a few months ago that I would started shutting down on Sundays.  I allowed myself limited or no cell phone usage, limited or no computer usage… just time for me and my loved ones.  Not only did I regain a piece of my sanity, but I found that this little change enhanced my creativity and productivity, because I was more focused.

I want you to imagine if you shut off your phone, computer, TV, tablet and any other devices for a day or even a few hours how it would impact your life, your work… YOUR BRAND?

I am giving you a PERSONAL BRAND CHALLENGE – Turn off technology for a day and see what great things are in store for you and your brand.

Be Blessed

A. Mayartis  J.

Vision Board or Craft Project?

As 2014 approaches are you creating a vision board or developing resolutions for the New Year? I am asking this because I have been reading posts, tweets and text messages about how people are excited to put 2013 in their rear view mirror and begin to look ahead at all 2014 has to offer. It made me wonder for the people who did create a vision board or developed resolutions this year have they looked back at it? Did any of the goals they wanted to accomplish manifest?  My vision board is an accomplishment board, because many of the things that I envisioned, have come to realization. 

I believe that creating a vision board is only the first step in making your dreams a reality.  I know many of you get together with friends, family and other new year resolution hopefuls at vision board parties to change the fate on they upcoming year.  These parties are tons of fun, because everyone is in great spirits eating, drinking and inspiring each other as they design boards that highlight their hopes and dreams.  The problem with most of these boards is that they are not the end of your vision but the beginning and without action these boards are just a craft project.  A collage that gathers dust after the excitement wears off.  I discussed the success of my vision board with one of my accountability partners and I came up with 5 D’s to make a cool craft project into successful vision board...

1. Design a Vision Board  - Create a vision board that showcases your goals for the upcoming year (this does not have to be January 1, you can do this at any time of the year). This board can be developed with magazine cut outs, hand written thoughts or anything your want to put on the board.  Make sure your board highlights your vision and not what others may want for you.
2. Display the Board - Your goals and dreams need to be in front of you every day.  If you travel a lot for business like I do, take a picture of the board and carry it with you, so you are constantly reminded what you are working towards. You can even make your vision board your screen saver, so that you see it everyday.
3. Devise a Plan/ Timeline - Develop a plan to help make your vision board become an accomplishment board.  A timeline with specific dates will keep you on track of making your visions come to fruition.
4. Designate an Accountability Partner  - Find someone to hold you accountable for your plans and goals.  This person must know your plans, have seen your board and will hold you liable if you veer from the plans.  You do not need a yes partner (someone that will let you slide when life gets tough), you need someone that will push you when you are ready to give up and remind you of everything you want to accomplish.
5. Decide to Act – There is not point in creating a vision board, developing a plan, asking someone to hold you accountable if you are not actively pursing your goals.   
6. 

I know many people believe that by creating a vision board you are putting in the atmosphere the things that you want to accomplish and the universe (or as I believe - GOD) will help you attain them.  However, I believe that creating a vision board is the first step and when you act on the things that you want, God will help you bring your dream/vision to reality.  It is like exercise…In order to lose weight or have a tone body you have to exercise, believing you will have the body you want will not make it happen.

Start the New Year off right by following the 5 D’s which will make your vision board come to Life faster.   You and your accountability partner will be excited to look at you board at the end of next year and see all of the things that you have accomplished.

God Bless

A. Mayartis J

Branding Babies for Success

Is it wrong for parents to start preparing their kids for success before they can talk, walk or decide what they want to do in life? This question popped into my head, when I started thinking about the process of developing a personal brand for student athletes. If we can begin branding high school students we certainly can brand junior high students and even younger.  Think about it, if you develop a personal brand for each of your children, it will give them an advantage over their peers, IF, it is done the right way.  I definitely want my children to have as many advantages as possible and if creating a brand for them will help them to be the best they can be in life and in their chosen profession…. Then let the kiddie branding begin.

But what exactly is baby branding and how do you get started? 

I recall watching a Will and Jada Smith interview on Oprah several years ago when they were discussing their family business plan and I thought to myself… that is ingenious.  What better way to get your family started on the right track, then to write your family’s goals down and then create a family (business) plan.  This does a few things… It starts an incredibly important discussion on what each of you (meaning the parents) wants for your individual and family’s future.  It ensures that both of you are starting out on the same page as it pertains to your future.  As you continue to update your plan(s) it gives develops important checks and balances that show that you are both still a cohesive unit moving in the same direction.  Obviously your family plan will evolve when your first bundle of joy arrives.  Your current plan(s) could drastically change depending on your off springs talents, health, personality and so on… but as the children grow you can determine what their plans are as a family.  I am an advocate for setting up a great foundation for the future, but please allow your kids to enjoy their childhood, remember they only get one.  The brand you create for your child must be organic and specifically for them.

There are several things you can do to start branding your child before they can even walk and none of them have anything to do with putting up cute sometimes embarrassing pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any the other social media sites. I understand that the social media sites are a place to share photos with family and friends that do not live close, but please remember that things entered on the internet are there FOREVER. So that cute photo that you have up now may not be so cute when he/she is running for president.  Secondly remember that photos can be taken off of your sites and used for others personal use…Please protect your children.

Baby Branding tips

1. MyBabysname.com: When a child is born one thing that you can do is reserve their domain name, so if they need it when they get older you already have it for them.  Some experts say check the domain name before naming your child.  I disagree… Name your child and then find a domain name that works, because your child’s name should have some emotional value to you.  You can also create Facebook, Twitter or any other social media sites, however the social media landscape changes so fast that those sites, may not be valid when your child is able to use them

2. Genius Boot camp – Children begin to show their personalities, talents and traits at a young age, so your job as parents is to discover and then nurture these abilities and provide avenues for them to continue to expand.   Remember it is not for you to live your dreams through them… It is time for them to live their dreams.

***Although some children may show their talents early, other children may not exhibit their talents until later in life.  Do not push them to decide.  Continue to introduce them to new things, activities, and let them enjoy their childhood.

3. Website Brag Page: Instead of flooding social media sites with pictures, why not design a website that will allow you to share their talents with the world.  A site that will continue to evolve as the child grows and their desires change.  Developing a site together would be a great way to work with your child on maintaining a positive online image.

4. Plan-it – After you have determined what their goals are help them to develop a personal plan to make them happen.  Incorporate your child’s plan into your families business plan.  Revise the plan often to accommodate the changes that constantly happen in your lives

5. Have Fun – It is great to have a plan, but it is extremely important to enjoy every moment that you have with your child, because it goes so fast.

God Bless

A. Mayartis J.

Stop Looking Back

I love the phrase “you cannot unscrambled scrambled eggs,” because it reminds me that you cannot reverse an unintentional mistake, an unexpected accident or even a harmful word spoken.  After the error is made there are two options:  find a way to live with it or put it behind you… or as I like to say put it in your rear-view mirror.   If you analyze a car you will notice that the rear-view mirror and side mirrors are really tiny in comparison to the massive front windshield. These mirrors are crucial because they allow the driver to see all they need to see in order to safely move forward. Additionally, as you continue to move forward your view of the objects behind you, become smaller and smaller until they disappears.  In comparison, the front windshield is huge allowing you to see all of the greatness that is in store for you. If you decided to live with the situation at least look at it with fresh eyes… forgive yourself or person/group who made the error and then release it, although you may never forget it.

Often times we allow issues in life to be a setback instead of looking at is a set up for a bigger and better purpose.  

Last year Kevin Ware a guard on the Louisville college basketball team landed awkwardly after trying to block a three-point shot attempt and suffered a compound fracture to his right leg, during the final four. Players and coaches on both teams were visibly shaken at the sight of the injury, but one of his teammates came over immediately and prayed, which helped Kevin collect his thoughts.  He knew that although he was injured he had to be strong for his teammates, so instead of crying he began motivating his players to go and win the game.  Kevin went to the hospital and his teammates won the game in his honor.

 A few months later while recuperating with 2 metal rods and a metal plate in his leg, Kevin stated in an interview that he had never seen the video of the accident.  He made it clear that he had no plans on EVER watching the video.  He felt that watching the accident would put him in the wrong mental state, which would not be beneficial in helping him move forward with his basketball career. 

When asked how he could move forward Kevin said,  “This is another obstacle I had to face... God does not let anything happen that he doesn’t want to happen this was another situation that was going to mature me and get me to a better mindset”

Had Kevin not put the accident in his rear-view mirror he would not have been able to sink a 3-pointer at the Cardinals' exhibition game against Pikeville on November 6,2013.  This was Kevin’s first shot attempt in a game since fracturing his right leg last March.  Kevin went on to rack up six points and four rebounds in his 10 minutes on the court

We all need to take a page from Kevin’s Ware’s life… stay positive during your adversity and the only time you should be looking back it is to see how far you have come and/or see where you do not want to return.

It is imperative that you let go of your past so you can experience your future and so you will know you’re on the right track when you become uninterested in looking back.

God Bless,

A. Mayartis J