Whether your goal is to mentor and educate, or inspire and entertain, we're here to help you build a strong identity that connects you with the right audience. Your success Ontheside will be closely related to how well what you offer matches what sponsors want to see. There's a vast world of fans out there. Understanding what motivates your fans to follow and sponsor you will help you create a community of supporters who value your work and contribute to your growth.
If you connect what you're passionate about sharing with what engages your ideal audience, capturing content will play to your strengths and may even energize you instead of weighing you down when you chase ever-changing algorithms and trends.
Put in some time to explore what matters most to you—your “Why”. The magic lies in aligning your unique value with the needs of your ideal audience. With this alignment, your supporters will feel connected to you on a deeper level, and you can showcase how you uniquely address fan-sponsor needs.
Here are some awesome resources to help you define what motivates you and find your Why.
Who do you want your content to inspire or inform? Your ideal audience includes the people you genuinely want to reach—those who align with your values, passion, and enthusiasm for your sport.
Consider the type of content you’re excited to create and who would benefit most from it. Then ask yourself: what meaningful interactions have you had with your fans? For example, has a fan shared that you inspired them to move more, finish a race, or go to the gym? Did a follower engage thoughtfully with something you posted? What sparked that response?
While you want to gain as many true fans as you can, think about what meaningful connection means to you and focus on creating quality content that is most meaningful to your ideal audience.
By focusing on your ideal audience, you’ll better align what you want to create with who will benefit most from it.
Not all fans are the same. Your audience may include multiple groups, each with unique interests and needs. For example, you might have one group interested in training tips and another more focused on personal stories. By defining these segments, you can create tailored content that appeals to each of them. Consider how different audiences can mean more opportunities for you to diversify and package the content you offer. This is especially useful for understanding how to make the most of your fan-sponsorship opportunities through Sponsorship Tracks.
Understanding the different groups within your audience helps you deliver value while keeping the content you offer focused on your ideal audience.
By aligning your authentic story with content that resonates deeply with your community, you’ll foster a sense of belonging and loyalty. Your personal perspective and experience is what sets you apart—it’s the foundation for how fans connect with you. Knowing your true fans will help you build deeper connections over time, allowing you to create impactful content that inspires them and supports them on their own journeys.