Today it seems like everytime you pick up the newspaper, there is a story about an athlete who is in the middle of a crisis (drug accusations, criminal charge, un-sportsmanlike conduct, etc). There always seems to be one who is a “PR Nightmare”– whatever they do or say is not really appropriate. What is the difference between athletes who have a good reputation and those who don’t? The key is that the athlete with a good reputation knows how to manage it.
How do you manage your reputation? There are several things that you can do in order to have a good reputation in athletics. Here are some suggestions that athletes can do:
1. Practice Interviews: Many athletes find themselves in the spotlight and have absolutely no idea what they can or can’t say. Sometimes what they say can be misinterpreted in writing and could cause people to be like– what did they just say??!! Having prepared statements ahead of time is always good– you want to leave the reporter and the media with soundbites that they can use in their stories.
2. Show people the “Real You.” The more people know you as a person instead of an athlete, the more likely they are willing to follow your progress. If people know you as a really great basketball player or thrower– but they know nothing about you as a person– they will follow you up to a point. But if people feel like they really know you– what you do outside the sport, your sense of humor, etc.– they will be loyal to you as fans.
But there is a downside in showing the real you. There are some athletes who can be one person in front of a crowd, but in other settings, they are not the nicest of people.
3. Athletes are also Entertainers. What this means is that you are in the public eye– everything that you say or do can affect not only your team, but the rest of your future and your reputation. Whenever you put on a team uniform or a sponsor’s uniform– you are representing other people as well. Whatever you say, do, or don’t do will affect people’s perception of you.
4. Be one with the Media. Today, there are many ways that athletes can control what is being said about them more than a few years ago. If an athlete has his/her own web site, blog, or podcasts– this allows the athlete to show their part of the story and also feature who they are outside the sport. By having these new features, it not only shows people the real you– but it separates this athlete from the other athletes as well.
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