Always contactable doesn't mean always available 

Modern technology has allowed for work to be done anywhere and at anytime, 

allowing more flexible hours and in some cases more working hours as it becomes increasingly harder to “switch off”. Apart from traditional methods of phone calls, SMSes, WhatsApp and emails it seems there is a forever growing list of digital/social media platforms that are making people searchable and contactable BUT you need to be respectful of ones privacy and time especially as an athlete asking for something from a brand manager. 

We asked a number of brand managers from various sports industries their opinion on where and when it was acceptable to contact them across the various channels. All admitted that in todays world of growing digital platforms it is hard to escape but there were definitely some clear “do nots” that were consistent across all the feedback. A clear trend was “common sense needs to prevail” with regards to when it was acceptable to contact them. Working hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. After hours and weekends must be avoided, there are always exceptions to the rules and we will try touch base on them below.

As far as the social media channels were concerned there are a distinct few platforms that brand managers were utilising which all had their own dos and donts:
• Facebook and Instagram are private/personal and not the place to be sending proposals and asking requests. Obviously if you are an athlete of the brand, the brand manager may choose to follow you from their personal account – you can tag them into event results or good content that you producing, again within reason. If you are wanting to send through a proposal, a quick message(maybe add an apology for contacting them on their personal account first) asking for their work contact details in order to forward on a proposal but really important to ensure you keep these messages within working hours.

• LinkedIn is the most professional of online channels to be reaching out to brand managers however not something that they spend much time on so don’t expect immediate answers some going online as little as once a month. Again, like Facebook and Instagram this is not the channel for sending proposals but rather touching base to gather the brand managers email address.

For Instagram, Facebook and even LinkedIn, rather reach out to the brands account than the brand managers personal account, get the email or telephone number from the brand and then make contact with the brand manager. Should your proposal be successful and you join the brand, ask the brand manager if they mind you following their personal account and tagging them in or must you stick to the brands account.

• WhatsApp/SMSes and telephone calls are channels that must only be used if you are an athlete of the brand and the brand manager has said that this is their preferred method of contact but again be respectful of the brand managers time – no contacting after hours or weekends unless you got a good result at a big event but generally it can still wait till Monday morning or a tag over Instagram. A quick phone call to introduce yourself and ask for a email address to send a proposal is acceptable, no brand manager will accept a proposal requests over the phone.

• Email is the channel acceptable to utilise 24/7 as it is up to the brand manager when they want to check their mails and respond. Generally you can expect a reply within 24hours however if mailing after hours or weekends, you would need to wait longer on receiving a response. This is the only option for sending proposals, make sure they are clear and precise and not long winded – read back on the article “How to approach a potential sponsor”. Same for sponsored athletes needing product from the brand – send a clear email and well ahead of time before you need it, be prepared not last minute requests. The above were the most common channels being utilised at the moment. Another reminder to use common sense when making contact – Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm and just be respectful of people time and privacy. 

We hope what we have shared will help you on your sporting career journey. We are going to continue sharing knowledge from our own experiences as well as those of industry members as well as both past and present athletes to try assist you in your career.

Should you have any queries or be interested in the service we offer, please don’t hesitate to drop us a message: info@onemovement.co.za