Sports Marketing Machine Podcast

Send us a textn this episode, Jeremy breaks down Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) in the simplest, most actionable way for sports teams. You’ll learn what CRO actually means, which parts of the process you can control, and how small tweaks to your copy, creative, and landing pages can turn more fans into ticket buyers. If you’ve ever wondered why your ads get clicks but not sales, this episode gives you the clarity you’ve been missing.Key Topics CoveredWhat CRO really means for sports teams and why it mattersThe difference between controllable and uncontrollable factors (hint: your ticketing software isn’t one of them)How to improve conversion rates through stronger copy, visuals, and offer clarityWhy “Buy Tickets” beats “Click Here to Learn More” every timeThe importance of landing page congruency with your adsTracking the right metrics: website visitors → buyersHow email simplicity boosts conversionsWhy CRO isn’t magic—it’s math, momentum, and message clarityTimestamps00:00 — Introduction: What CRO is (and what it isn’t) 01:06 — Breaking down conversion rate basics 03:30 — What you can’t control (ticketing software headaches) 04:00 — What you can control: copy, creative, CTAs, and layout 05:49 — Metrics that matter: website traffic → single-game sales 07:00 — Email mistakes teams make and how to fix them 08:11 — Seasonal conversion rate trends and how to optimize 09:45 — Final thoughts + how to get help diagnosing your sales and marketing performanceSound Bite Pulls“You only have one offer.”“One offer per landing page.”“They want to buy now.”“CRO isn’t magic. It’s math.”Social Teaser Hooks“If your ads get clicks but not sales, the problem isn’t the targeting—it’s what happens after the click.”“Sports teams don’t need more traffic. They need more conversion.”“Stop overwhelming fans. One page. One offer. One clear next step.”Call to ActionIf this episode helped you understand CRO in a new light, share it with someone on your team who’s trying to sell more tickets or sharpen their digital marketing. If you want Jeremy to review your sales + marketing performance and uncover growth opportunities, you can always connect at SportsMarketingMachine.com.Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Send us a textNot all surveys are created equal. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down the crucial difference between community surveys (awareness audits) and fan surveys (experience audits)—and how using both strategically can turn feedback into real ticket sales. Learn when to deploy each, what questions to ask, and how to connect survey results directly to your CRM to uncover actionable insights that boost revenue and fan loyalty.Key Topics CoveredThe real difference between a community survey and a fan surveyHow to use surveys to uncover brand awareness gaps and fan experience issuesWhy perception (community) and behavior (fans) require different approachesHow to segment survey data by purchase history and fan typeTurning survey results into ticket sales, renewals, and sponsorship leadsHow attention and retention work together to build community momentumCommon mistakes teams make when collecting and analyzing survey dataPractical examples of survey insights driving smarter marketing and ad placementChapters & Highlights00:00 – Understanding surveys in sports marketing 01:00 – What a community survey really measures (perception, not performance) 03:20 – The fan survey: your experience audit 05:40 – When and how to deploy each type of survey 08:00 – Turning raw feedback into an actionable ticket sales strategy 10:30 – How to segment and analyze survey data to uncover buying intent 12:00 – Final takeaways: attention + retention = community momentumQuote Pulls“A community survey tells you what people think about your brand. A fan survey tells you how they feel about your experience.”“Always connect survey results back to ticket information — that’s how you turn feedback into ticket sales.”“Think of surveys not as paperwork, but as your next year’s playbook.”Call to ActionIf this episode got you thinking about how your team collects feedback, don’t wait until the end of the season—start now. Learn more about building smart, segmented survey dashboards at sportsmarketingmachine.com under the Fan+ Survey service.And if you found this helpful, share it with a fellow marketer or GM who wants to use their data better and sell more tickets.Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Discover how sports teams can create unmissable Black Friday offers that fans will love! Learn the secrets of stacking value over slashing prices. Explore the powerful Value Equation and why framing deals as 'buy X, get Y' works wonders. Jeremy reveals a three-phase launch plan to maximize sales and emphasizes competing on experience instead of discounts. Plus, get insights on crafting compelling landing pages, effective email copy, and avoiding common pitfalls that hinder conversions. Master your holiday strategy with expert tips!

Mike Van Hise, a minor-league sports veteran and founder of Game Day Advising, shares insights on operational efficiency strategies for teams. He emphasizes the importance of clarity over cuts, diagnosing revenue leakages, and optimizing staffing. Van Hise discusses simplifying concessions for speed, enhancing ticketing strategies to weather-proof budgets, and adopting a '3% better' rule for continuous improvement. With practical tips on engaging fans and maximizing profit, his expert advice is a must for anyone in sports marketing and operations.

Discover how to build a marketing budget with a focus on single game ROI. Learn to project future budgets using last year’s data and track your performance like an investor. Explore the 70-30 rule for budget allocation that balances ticket acquisition and awareness. Jeremy highlights simple strategies to justify your budget requests and improve efficiency with small, measurable gains. It's all about making your marketing budget bulletproof in just one conversation!

Discover the delicate balance between season ticket stability and the growth potential of single-game buyers. Learn how targeted post-game offers can turn casual fans into multi-game attendees. Explore the importance of perk-led nurturing to create a fear of missing out. Understand why aligning marketing and sales efforts is crucial for converting warm leads during the season. Jeremy shares a comprehensive ticket plan ladder that can help teams maximize their fanbase and drive repeat visits.

Send us a textAll You Can Eat ticket plans sound like a fan’s dream—one ticket, unlimited food—but are they really a win for your team? In this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine, Jeremy Neisser breaks down the pros and cons of these packages, from predictable revenue and marketing appeal to margin risks and operational headaches. You’ll learn how to structure these plans strategically so they elevate the fan experience while still protecting your bottom line.Key Topics CoveredWhy fans love the simplicity and value of All You Can Eat plansHow bundling food into tickets creates predictable, upfront revenueThe operational efficiencies (and pitfalls) of prepaid concessionsMargin risks and how heavy eaters can wipe out profitsMenu design, alcohol clarity, and the importance of perceived valueStructuring plans using per caps, pricing buffers, and sponsorship offsetsPositioning All You Can Eat as an entry-level ticket plan without cannibalizing premium optionsLong-term strategy: renewals, upsells, and loyalty buildingChapters00:00 – Introduction to All You Can Eat Ticket Plans01:00 – Pros of All You Can Eat Packages05:38 – Cons and Risks of All You Can Eat Packages08:53 – Structuring All You Can Eat Plans Smartly12:14 – Long-Term Strategy for All You Can Eat Packages16:02 – Key Takeaways and ConclusionSound Bites / Social Teasers“One ticket, unlimited food.”“It elevates the experience.”“Define the package clearly—or risk an all you can lose plan.”Call to Action Tried an All You Can Eat ticket plan before? Jeremy wants to hear how it worked for your team—DM him or reach out through Sports Marketing Machine. If this episode gave you some food for thought (pun intended), share it with a colleague and leave a review on Apple or Spotify so more sports pros can sell smarter and build their fan base.Links mentioned: David Salyers - Chick-Fil-A "Creating A Value-Inbalance"Loss Leaders - Episode 117Episode page - Episode 133Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Send us a textMore traffic doesn’t always mean more profit. In this episode, Jeremy Neisser unpacks a real case study from a minor league baseball team that saw website visitors surge from 27,000 to 35,000—but lost $15,000 in profit along the way. He explains why chasing vanity metrics like clicks, impressions, and raw attendance can mask deeper problems in profitability. From understanding diminishing returns to prioritizing average order value (AOV) and smarter budget allocation, Jeremy gives sports teams a playbook for turning data into dollars.Key Topics CoveredWhy more traffic can actually hurt your bottom lineCase study: 35,000 visitors that led to declining ROASThe difference between quality vs. quantity trafficDiminishing returns: when extra spend stops paying offThe role of average order value (AOV) in real growthHow to use the 60-40 rule for smarter budget allocationAvoiding the vanity metric trap (traffic, impressions, and “sellouts”)Why profitability > popularity in sports marketingChapters00:00 – Understanding Marketing Data for Minor League Baseball01:29 – The Impact of Traffic on Profitability04:43 – Quality vs. Quantity in Traffic09:26 – Diminishing Returns and the 60-40 Rule12:21 – The Importance of Average Order Value16:37 – Key Takeaways and Action PlanCall to Action Before you chase big traffic numbers, dig into your AOV and ROAS data. If you need help unpacking what actually happened with your team’s marketing this season, reach out to Jeremy for a free 30-minute breakdown.Episode Page: Episode 132 Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Explore the pitfalls of Meta's Advantage Plus, where automation can lead to wasted budgets for sports teams. Discover how its generic audience targeting undermines ticket sales by focusing on clicks rather than conversions. Learn the importance of manual ad setup and audience segmentation for better understanding of fans. Gain insights on when Advantage Plus can be effective, especially for merchandise sales, and why a hands-on approach is crucial for successful marketing.

Discover how Nano Banana, Google's new AI image-generation tool, can supercharge sports marketing. Learn to create stunning visuals in minutes for merchandise mock-ups and pre-order campaigns. Explore strategies to boost ticket sales and design personalized fan content effortlessly. Uncover ways to turn uncertain sponsorships into definitive deals with eye-catching mock-ups. With quick-win techniques and a simple three-step testing approach, this tech could give early adopters a competitive edge in the market!