Sports Marketing Machine Podcast
If you're a sports executive or digital marketer working to fill seats, drive ticket sales, and grow your fan base, the Sports Marketing Machine Show is for you! Award-winning sports marketing veteran host, Jeremy Neisser brings with him over 21 years of experience in sports marketing and shares We'll cover all aspects of marketing including digital advertising, social media strategy, branding, customer relationship management, and how to best use analytics to measure success. With interviews from experts in digital marketing and sports industry veterans, you’ll be sure to find some helpful tips on how to engage more with your fans – all wh...
113 – Season Over? Here’s How to Turn Fan Feedback Into Future Ticket Sales
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In this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser breaks down how sports teams can turn end-of-season fan surveys into a powerful tool for driving next season’s ticket sales and improving game day experience. Instead of sending out generic surveys that lead nowhere, Jeremy walks through five key categories every fan survey should cover — from ticket access to promotional impact — and explains how to structure questions for actionable insights.
He also reveals how dynamic dashboards (like Power BI) transform raw survey responses into strategic clarity by tying fan fe...
112: TV Ads Without the Big Budget: How Sports Teams Can Use Vibe.co
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In this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, host Jeremy Neisser gives sports marketers a hands-on walkthrough of Vibe.co — the self-service streaming TV ad platform that’s changing how teams approach awareness and brand marketing.
Jeremy breaks down how sports teams (even with limited budgets or staff) can now create, launch, and track targeted TV campaigns without needing an agency or a massive media buy. From selecting your audience to understanding how Vibe’s IP tracking works, this episode demystifies the streaming TV ad space and shows you ho...
111 - Building Your Marketing Budget Like a Funnel: Awareness to Action
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Summary
In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser discusses how to strategically plan your marketing budget to maximize ticket sales. Whether you're just starting out with a small email list or you have a $20K marketing budget, Jeremy walks you through exactly where to invest at each stage.
You'll learn why building your owned audience first is crucial, where display ads and Meta campaigns fit in, why smart list buying beats random ad spending, and how to stretch every marketing dollar for maximum ROI.<...
110 - Meta Ads 101 - The Smart Way to Retarget (Part 4 of 4)
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser wraps up the 4-part Meta Ads 101 series with a deep dive into retargeting—what it is, why it works, and how to do it effectively.
Jeremy walks through step-by-step how to retarget website visitors and social media engagers, while showing you how to exclude recent ticket buyers so you’re not wasting ad dollars. Plus, he explains why timing matters more than you think and how to set the righ...
109 – Meta Ads 101 – The Hidden Power of Lookalike Audiences in Meta Ads (Part 3 of 4)
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser explores one of the most powerful (and underused) Meta Ads tools: Lookalike Audiences. As part three of the Meta Ads 101 series, this episode unpacks how sports teams can find new, high-quality fans by targeting people who are most similar to those already engaging—like video viewers, past ticket buyers, and website visitors.
Jeremy walks through how to build these audiences, when to use them, what mistakes to avoid, and how to combine them with smart ex...
108 – Meta Ads 101 – How to Use Exclusion Lists in Meta Ads to Boost ROI (Part 2 of 4)
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser continues the Meta Ads 101 series with a practical deep dive into exclusion lists—one of the most underrated ways to stretch your ad dollars and reach the right fans.
Jeremy walks through why every sports team should separate their audiences (like single-game buyers vs. season ticket holders) and how to use Meta’s built-in tools to make sure you’re not wasting money advertising to people who’ve already converted. Whether you're promoting mini-plans, season tickets...
107 - Meta Ads 101 - Link Clicks vs. Landing Page Views (Part 1 of 4)
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser kicks off a brand-new four-part series on Meta Ads, breaking down small but powerful tweaks that can make a big difference in your campaign results.
Today’s focus? The critical difference between Link Clicks and Landing Page Views. While they sound similar, choosing the wrong one can tank your ROI.
Jeremy walks you through step-by-step inside Meta Ads Manager and explains why optimizing for Landing Page Views—not...
106 - Should Your Team Buy a List? Pros/Cons & What You Need to Know
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser discusses the pros and cons of buying email lists for sports marketing. He outlines when it makes sense to purchase a list, such as for new teams, urgent campaigns, or targeting specific demographics.
The episode also covers the benefits of buying lists, including fast access to potential fans and targeted reach, as well as best practices for ensuring compliance and engagement. However, Neisser warns of the potential downsides, including data quality issues and uncertain ROI. He emphasizes the importance o...
105 - 4 Creative Ways to Reach Fans Beyond Traditional Ads
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, host Jeremy Neisser explores four unconventional marketing strategies to help sports teams reach new fans and grow their brand. The strategies discussed include partnering with community events, leveraging hotel and tourism partnerships, utilizing movie theater advertising, and engaging in influencer marketing.
Each strategy is designed to create unique opportunities for teams to connect with potential fans and increase ticket sales.
Takeaways
Partnering with community events can expand your audience.Cross-promotions with local events create win-win situations.Hotels c...104 - Personalization That Sells: How Revelocity Helps Teams Fill Seats (Part 2)
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In this conversation, Jeremy Neisser and Andy Milovich discuss the importance of personalization in sports marketing through Revelocity Sports. They explore the challenges teams face in engaging fans, utilizing data effectively, and the significance of targeted marketing strategies.
The discussion highlights successful case studies, the impact of creative campaigns, and the necessity of building long-term relationships with fans through effective communication and automation.
In this conversation, Andy Milovich discusses the importance of engaging fans on a deeper level to enhance their experience and increase repeat attendance at sporting events. He...
103 - Personalize It - Why it Works (Part 1)
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, Jeremy Neisser explores the importance of personalization in sports marketing, drawing parallels with Amazon's successful strategies.
He discusses the psychological principles behind why personalization works, how Amazon utilizes data to enhance customer experience, and offers practical examples for sports teams to implement similar strategies to boost ticket sales and fan engagement.
Takeaways
Personalization can significantly enhance fan engagement.Amazon's success is rooted in understanding customer behavior.Familiarity breeds comfort and increases purchase likelihood.Social proof i...102 - Case Study: Minnesota Wild's Text Messaging Fan Engagement Strategy
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In this podcast episode, Jeremy Neisser hosts Ben Hall and Bryant Hafemeyer from the Minnesota Wild, along with Amanda McGuckin Hager from TrueDialog, to discuss the impact of text messaging on fan engagement and ticket sales.
The conversation covers the selection of TrueDialog as a partner, the importance of a service-first approach in communication, the evolution of fan communication strategies, and the measurement of success in enhancing the fan experience.
The episode also delves into balancing service and sales through text messaging, highlighting th...
101 - 6 Fan Experience Lessons Learned from Going to Disneyland
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, Jeremy Neisser shares insights from his recent trip to Disneyland, focusing on how Disney creates an unforgettable fan experience. He outlines six powerful lessons that sports marketers can apply to enhance fan engagement, including treating fans as guests, creating emotional connections, maintaining cleanliness, and incorporating surprise moments.
The episode emphasizes the importance of small details in crafting a memorable experience that keeps fans coming back.
Takeaways
Mascots should always let the fans dictate the interaction.Treat fans l...100 - Post-Email Blast Steps: How to Help Your Sales Team Close More Deals
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, host Jeremy Neisser celebrates the 100th episode by discussing the critical role of email marketing in ticket sales. He emphasizes that the real work begins after sending an email blast and highlights the importance of following up with interested customers.
Neisser provides actionable strategies for marketing teams to convert email engagement into sales, including how to effectively utilize lists of interested buyers and the significance of personalized follow-ups. He also encourages creative approaches to email promotions to maximize engagement and sales opportunities.
99 - Dirty Jobs, Broken Hearts, and Better Emails: Lessons in Relatable Marketing
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser discusses the importance of relatability in sports marketing, particularly in email campaigns. He emphasizes that fans want to see themselves in marketing messages and provides actionable strategies for teams to connect with their audience.
Drawing lessons from Taylor Swift and Mike Rowe, Neisser highlights the significance of addressing emotions, using relatable imagery, and sharing testimonials. He concludes with practical tactics for applying relatability to various marketing campaigns, ultimately aiming to strengthen the bond between teams and their fans.
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98 - Run An Efficient Front Office with Catch
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, Vince Surdo discusses the launch of Catch's new software, Front Office, designed to streamline operations for sports teams. The conversation covers the challenges teams face with chaotic operations, the importance of data in sales tracking, and how mobile ordering can enhance fan engagement.
Surdo emphasizes the need for effective communication and collaboration within teams to improve efficiency and revenue. He also highlights the significance of building strong relationships with clients and providing ongoing support to ensure success.
Takeaways
97 - TikTok's Potential Ban - How Sports Teams Should Prepare
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, Jeremy Neisser discusses the potential ban of TikTok in the United States and its implications for sports teams and fan engagement. He outlines the legal scrutiny surrounding TikTok, the national security concerns, and the possible outcomes of the ban, including a complete ban, stricter regulations, or operational changes.
Neisser emphasizes the importance of TikTok for reaching younger audiences and offers strategies for sports teams to prepare for a world without TikTok, including diversifying content and prioritizing owned media.
Takeaways<...
96 - Why Direct Mail Deserves a Spot in Your Marketing Mix This Season
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser discusses the resurgence of direct mail as a powerful marketing tool for sports teams. He highlights its high open rates, tangibility, and reduced competition compared to digital ads.
Neisser shares successful case studies from teams utilizing direct mail for sponsorship and alumni donations, emphasizing the importance of timing, targeting, and messaging in crafting effective campaigns. He encourages teams to consider direct mail as a viable option in their marketing strategies.
Takeaways
95 - 12 Marketing & Fan Engagement Predictions for 2025
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In this Sports Marketing Machine Podcast episode, Jeremy Neisser shares his 12 marketing and fan engagement predictions for 2025. He discusses the impact of AI on fan engagement, the rise of flexible membership models, the dominance of short-form video content, and the importance of user-generated content and micro-influencers.
Neisser emphasizes the need for a holistic marketing approach, innovations in merchandise, and the significance of mobile ordering for concessions. He also explores donor engagement strategies and the integration of NIL athletes into marketing campaigns, highlighting the evolving landscape of sports marketing.
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94 - Athletics Admin Unplugged: Solving Challenges with Innovative Strategies
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In this conversation, KC Smurthwaite discusses the mission and operations of Athletics Admin, a consultancy focused on solving problems in collegiate athletics.
He shares insights on revenue generation, donor engagement, and innovative fundraising strategies, particularly in the context of the evolving landscape of college sports and NIL regulations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collaboration, understanding donor expectations, and the future of college athletics.
In this conversation, Jeremy Neisser and KC Smurthwaite discuss the evolving landscape of sports marketing, particularly focusing on innovative jersey programs that engage fans and...
93 - Pros/Cons of Actively Selling Tickets to Brokers
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, host Jeremy Neisser explores the pros and cons of selling tickets to brokers. He discusses the historical context of ticket brokering, its evolution, and the implications for teams in terms of revenue, fan experience, and pricing strategies.
The conversation highlights key considerations for teams when deciding whether to engage with ticket brokers, including inventory management, pricing strategies, and maintaining fan loyalty. Neisser emphasizes the importance of understanding both the benefits and drawbacks of working with brokers to make informed decisions.
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92 - Let's Talk About Tariffs & Their Impact on Sports Teams
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser discusses the implications of tariffs on sports marketing, focusing on how they affect budgets, promotional strategies, and fan engagement. He explains what tariffs are, their purpose, and how they can increase costs for imported goods. Jeremy provides actionable strategies for sports teams to manage these costs, including setting aside emergency funds, having in-depth conversations with promotional companies, and exploring creative solutions for promotional items.
He also highlights the importance of staying informed about potential tax credits that could alleviate some financial burdens.
Takeaways<...
91 - Cyber Monday/Black Friday Promotion Planning
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, Jeremy Neisser discusses strategies for maximizing fan engagement and sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. He emphasizes the importance of offering two distinct deals to reduce decision fatigue, the necessity of early pre-promotion to build excitement, and the critical nature of tracking and analyzing results to refine future strategies.
The episode is packed with actionable insights and creative ideas for sports marketers looking to enhance their promotional efforts during the holiday season.
Takeaways
90 - How Chili’s Leveraged User-Generated Content to Drive Engagement and Sales—and What Sports Teams Can Learn
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser discusses the impact of user-generated content on marketing strategies, using Chili's success on TikTok as a case study. He emphasizes how sports teams can leverage similar tactics to engage fans, boost ticket sales, and create memorable experiences. The conversation covers practical strategies for encouraging fans to share their experiences and highlights the importance of creating visually appealing moments that resonate with audiences.
Takeaways
89 - 2 Low Time/High ROI Website Updates
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, host Jeremy Neisser discusses practical strategies for sports marketers to enhance fan engagement and increase ticket sales. He emphasizes the importance of creating memorable experiences for fans and introduces two low-effort website updates that can yield high returns on investment.
The episode covers the implementation of group sales forms and effective email list building through pop-ups, providing actionable insights and examples from successful teams.
Takeaways
88 - Increasing Fan Engagement & Revenue Through Digital Experience with WIT Contests
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In this podcast episode, Tom Bridger discusses the innovative digital activation platform, WIT Contests, which enhances fan engagement in sports through gamification and data collection. He shares successful case studies, strategies for increasing ticket sales and sponsorships, and the importance of adapting to modern fan expectations.
Bridger emphasizes the platform's effectiveness for both large and small teams, highlighting its potential to drive revenue and improve fan experiences. The conversation concludes with insights into future trends in sports engagement and a special offer for teams interested in the platform.
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87 - 3 Ways to Increase Ticket Usage for Ticket Plan Holders
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neisser shares three effective strategies to increase ticket usage among season ticket holders and mini-plan holders. He highlights the value of proactive communication, exclusive events, and personalized game day perks in boosting fan engagement and retention. By using these approaches, teams can strengthen emotional connections with their fans, leading to increased attendance and long-term loyalty.
Takeaways
Proactive communication increases engagement: Reminder emails and texts keep ticket holders...86 - Promotions That Work: ERAs Night - Taylor Swift Themed
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In this conversation, Maria Valentyn discusses the planning and execution of a successful promotional event themed around Taylor Swift's Era's Tour. The discussion covers the ideation process, ticket acquisition, budgeting, community engagement, marketing strategies, sponsorship activation, and the overall impact of the event on ticket sales and community involvement.
Maria reflects on the successes and challenges faced during the promotion and shares insights on how to replicate such an event in the future.
Takeaways
85 - Pricing Mini-Plans The RIGHT Way
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, Jeremy Neisser discusses the intricacies of mini-plan pricing for sports teams. He emphasizes the importance of analyzing ticket buyer data to set effective pricing strategies.
By using a specific formula, he illustrates how teams can avoid underpricing their mini-plans and maximize revenue. The conversation covers the trade-offs involved in pricing decisions and the need to maintain a balance between affordability for fans and profitability for teams.
Takeaways
84 - Improving the Fan Experience the Chick-Fil-A Way with Steve Robinson
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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, host Jeremy Neiser interviews Steve Robinson, former Chief Marketing Officer at Chick-fil-A, about transforming customer experience and building emotional connections with customers.
Steve spent 35 years as the CMO of Chick-Fil-A starting in 1981. Robinson shares insights on the importance of customer feedback, creating a culture of continuous improvement, and innovating hospitality during economic downturns. He emphasizes the significance of a strong brand promise and the role of customer loyalty in driving business success.
Takeaways
83 - Promotions That Work - Bluey Night with Amanda Rich from the Lansing Lugnuts
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The conversation discusses the success of the Bluey Night promotion at the Lansing Lugnuts baseball game. The promotion involved bringing the popular children's character Bluey to the ballpark for a meet and greet with fans.
The planning process involved working with Minor League Baseball and the group Oasis, who had the rights to Bluey. The promotion was heavily marketed, with VIP tickets selling out quickly and a strong social media presence. The event was a success, with high attendance and positive feedback. The conversation also touches on potential future promotions, including P...
82 - How To Measure Advertising Effectiveness The Right Way
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser discusses how to analyze advertising effectiveness in sports marketing. He breaks down advertising into two categories: new customers and repeat customers. He explains that consumers rarely buy the first time they see an ad and need to be reminded multiple times before making a purchase.
Neisser emphasizes the importance of looking at new customer acquisition and return customer metrics to understand the effectiveness of marketing efforts. He suggests tracking ROI, number of buyers, and revenue for new customer acquisition, and leveraging direct channels like email and...
81 - Driving Revenue and Retention with Wolf Cycle AI
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Jeremy Neisser sits down with Courtney Rice from WolfCycle AI
Wolf Cycle AI is an automated intelligence software that provides AI-powered sales and retention strategies for sports and entertainment partners. It uses virtual assistants to run strategic outbound campaigns and drive membership sales, group sales, premium and partnership sales. The software combines AI with human oversight to ensure personalized responses and maximize opportunities. Wolf Cycle has seen success across various verticals, including generating additional full seasons, driving partnership conversations, and retaining at-risk accounts. It aims to streamline sales processes and help teams s...
80 - First-Party Data vs Third-Party Data - What's The Difference
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser discusses the differences between first-party and third-party data and how they can benefit sports teams. First-party data is data collected directly from the audience or customers and is owned and controlled by the team. It includes ticket sales data, purchase history, website interactions, email marketing engagements, and more.
On the other hand, third-party data is collected by entities not directly related to the organization, such as social media platforms or data brokers. It provides broader insights and allows for targeted advertising based on demographics, interests, and...
79 - Open Role: Assoc. AD for Marketing & Fan Experience - DePaul University with Kassidy Ellenby
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser interviews Kassidy Ellenby, the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications at DePaul University, about an open role for the Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Fan Experience. They discuss the duties and expectations of the role, including overseeing marketing efforts for men's basketball, managing a budget, and coordinating sponsorship activations.
They also talk about the game day atmosphere at Wintrust Arena, the importance of fan engagement, and the strategies for increasing student attendance at sporting events. The conversation highlights the collaborative culture at DePaul...
78 - What If Nothing is Working? How to Adjust Your Marketing Strategy
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser discusses a team that was struggling to sell tickets despite their marketing efforts. He identifies three key issues: prioritizing single game ticket sales over season tickets and group sales, allocating the majority of the marketing budget for awareness activities instead of collecting email addresses, and not setting goals for major promotions.
Jeremy emphasizes the importance of group sales as a fixer for teams and shares his experience with the Birmingham Barons. The takeaways include being intentional about selling tickets to specific games, collecting email addresses for...
77 - How to Turn Single Game Buyers Into Multi-Game Buyers
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Marketing directors in sports often struggle to convert past customers into returning customers. On average, only 33% of past ticket buyers return for a game the following year.
To improve customer conversion, marketing directors can send a post-game email to single-game buyers, thanking them for attending and offering a discount or special opportunity for another game.
This strategy works because it strikes when the fan is still excited about the game, it is specific to the game they attended, and it provides a personalized offer. By implementing this strategy, teams...
76: Where To Look To Fix Your In-Park Attendance Issues
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The main theme of this conversation is the importance of customer service for current ticket buyers. Jeremy Neisser emphasizes that while marketing directors and ticket sales teams are focused on finding new customers, there needs to be an intentional focus on providing excellent customer service to retain and satisfy current ticket buyers.
Jeremy provides an example of a team that saw a decrease in in-park attendance because their mini-plan and season ticket holders were using their tickets less frequently. Jeremy Neisser suggests that marketing directors should help ticket sales teams increase i...
75 - 7 Ways To Sell An Additional $100K in Group Tickets This Year with Emmanuel from Spinzo
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser and Emmanuel Elmajian discuss different strategies for selling group tickets. They explore the shift from traditional group sales to individual members of a group buying their own tickets at a discounted rate. They also discuss the benefits of this new approach, such as increased control for buyers and more data for sellers.
The conversation covers various ideas for selling group tickets, including loyalty programs, thank you programs, special offers for events in town, and theme nights. They also touch on the concept of competition and gamification...
74 - Maximizing Merchandise Sales - 10 Things You Can Do To Sell More This Year with Heather from Destroyer.Rocks
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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser interviews Heather Doane from Destroyer Promotional Products about improving merchandise sales. They discuss 10 tips for teams to implement, including inventory management, understanding retail space, visual merchandising, competitive pricing, and more. Heather emphasizes the importance of knowing your inventory, organizing the back of the house, and conducting market research to set competitive prices. She also suggests asking for samples and staying updated on industry trends. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights for sports teams looking to boost their merchandise sales.
In this conversation, Heather Doane shares 10 tips...
