Sports Marketing Machine Podcast

Send us a textMarketing predictions are everywhere—but most don’t help sell tickets. In Episode 146, Jeremy Neisser shares 13 practical marketing predictions for 2026, filtered through one question: does this sell more tickets, or is it busy work? This episode focuses on controlling the buying moment, personalization, signal-based marketing, and why the revenue loop replaces the funnel.Key Topics CoveredPersonalization as a ticket-sales differentiatorCreative as the new media buyerSignals over pixels (Buyer data)Saves, comments, & DMs as buying intentZero-click checkout & social sellingData reclamation from marketplacesFirst-click ownership as a revenue KPIWarm audiences vs. cold acquisitionChapters00:00 Introduction 01:08 Personalization 04:31 Creative as Media Buyer 06:51 Signals Over Pixels 10:34 DMs as Soft Leads 12:56 Zero-Click Checkout 15:15 Social Selling 18:04 Data Reclamation 19:58 First-Click Ownership 21:26 Warm vs Cold 23:49 Per Persona Campaigns 25:10 Marketing as Inside Sales 26:35 Revenue LoopSupporting Linkshttps://www.jonloomer.com/meta-advertising-changes-2025/ https://www.jonloomer.com/understand-meta-advertising-8-episodes/ https://www.jonloomer.com/interactions-post-engagement/ https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-commerce-2024 https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/social-commerce/ https://www.brightedge.com/resources/webinars/owning-the-first-click https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-strategies/search/brand-vs-non-brand-search/ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/secondary-ticket-market https://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate https://baymard.com/blog/checkout-usability https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/03/02/retargeting https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics https://www.facebook.com/business/help/146787991656572?id=561906377587030 https://hbr.org/2016/07/ending-the-war-between-sales-and-marketing https://www.forrester.com/blogs/b2c-marketing-and-sales-alignment/ https://www.meta.com/business/help/1438417719786914 Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Send us a textIn this episode, Jeremy Neisser reviews his previous predictions for sports marketing and fan engagement for 2025, assessing where he was right, where he was wrong, and what the implications are for 2026. He discusses the impact of AI and personalization, the shift towards membership models, the rise of short form video, the importance of user-generated content, and the challenges of holistic attribution. He also delves into the complexities of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in sports, donor engagement strategies, and the significance of focusing on fan quality over quantity.Key Themes CoveredAI & personalization (where it works and where it doesn’t)The continued shift from season tickets → membership modelsShort-form video becoming the backbone of ticket marketingWhy creative is now the targetingThe messy reality of attributionNIL’s impact on ticket sales and sponsorshipsDonor engagement at scaleWhy fan quality matters more than fan quantityTakeawaysAI and personalization are crucial for sports marketing success.Membership models are replacing traditional season tickets.Short form video has become essential for engaging fans.User-generated content builds trust and engagement.Holistic attribution is challenging but necessary for understanding marketing impact.NIL has complicated the landscape of college athletics.Donors seek meaningful engagement beyond transactions.NIL platforms need to simplify for small market teams.Focusing on fan quality leads to better outcomes than quantity.Auditing marketing strategies is essential for future success.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Self-Audit of Predictions01:01 AI and Personalization in Sports Marketing03:54 Membership Models and Fan Engagement05:46 The Rise of Short Form Video08:04 User-Generated Content and Micro Influencers09:28 Holistic Attribution Challenges13:11 Navigating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)16:31 Donor Engagement and Experience18:54 NIL Platforms and Market Scaling20:20 The Importance of Fan Quality Over Quantity22:13 Conclusion and Advice for 2026Links Mentioned in This EpisodeEpisode 95 – 12 Marketing & Fan Engagement Predictions for 202580/20 Principle (Pareto Principle)Sports Marketing Machine Strategy Call Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

In 2025, the marketing landscape for sports teams shifted dramatically. Discover how buying friction dampens impulse sales and why revenue metrics quickly reveal bad campaigns. Timing proved more crucial than messaging for conversions, while clarity outshined cleverness in offers. Personalization emerged as a key revenue driver, and owned channels became indispensable. Learn why bundles outperform discounts and how focusing on single-game buyers can fuel growth. Marketing transformed into a vital revenue system, ensuring predictability over chaos.

The landscape of sports marketing has dramatically shifted post-COVID, with fans prioritizing experiences over mere transactions. Jeremy Neisser highlights how restaurants reinvented themselves and offers valuable lessons for teams. The explosion of the experience economy emphasizes the importance of creating shareable moments that capture attention. Social media now acts as a critical driver for purchasing decisions, especially for Millennials and Gen Z. By focusing on experiential marketing, sports teams can cultivate urgency and revenue without relying on discounts.

Explore the untapped potential of Q5, the hidden time frame between Christmas and New Year’s when both ad costs drop and consumer spending spikes. Discover why fewer advertisers means you can snag cheaper traffic and high conversion rates. Learn effective tactics like mystery packs and family bundles that leverage the 'treat yourself' mentality. Avoid common pitfalls such as complicated offers and pausing budgets. Enhance your strategy with storytelling ads to engage audiences, and gear up for successful ticket sales leading into the new year!

Explore the intriguing world of buyout nights in sports marketing. Learn how they can guarantee revenue and enhance game atmosphere, while also creating strong sponsor relationships. Uncover the hidden pitfalls, like training fans to expect free tickets and risking future engagement. Discover strategies for capturing audience data effectively and the importance of post-event follow-ups. With insights on managing operational challenges, this discussion provides essential tools for turning buyout nights into long-term revenue opportunities.

Discover the intriguing case of a minor league team's 'mystery pack' promotion that remarkably sold 700 opening day tickets months in advance. Explore the four key levers of success: price, surprise, giftability, and game-specific demand. Learn how perceived value can transform mystery into excitement while ensuring low-risk purchases. Jeremy shares creative templates for themed packs that can double as gifts. Plus, find out how to stir up hype for key game nights and measure the true impact of your strategy.

Explore the fascinating world of Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) for sports teams. Discover what CRO really means and the key elements you can control, like copy and layout. Learn why precise calls to action like 'Buy Tickets' outperform vague options. Dive into the importance of aligning your ads with landing pages and tracking vital metrics. Plus, get tips on crafting effective emails and understanding conversion trends. CRO is all about the math, message clarity, and making incremental tweaks!

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!