Archive | August, 2009
Los Angeles LinkedIn Networking Event
Posted on 31 August 2009
The last L.A. LinkedIn networking event turned out to be an amazing time! I received dozens of emails after the event from people saying it was one of the best networking events they had attended in L.A.. I believe this is due to the amount of quality professionals who are currently using LinkedIn in the area.
Some of the key players in attendance from the last event were (see picture to the right) best selling author Scott Fox, founder of PerfectBusiness.com Dan Bliss (and past owner of the original Hollywood sign), SoCal Action Sports founder Bryan Elliott, Internet marketing guru James Wedmore, Blog designing wonder boy and creator of Thesis Themes Chris Pearson, along with many other quality friends and professionals from a variety of industries.
Due to popular demand I’ll be hosting another quality LinkedIn networking event in L.A.. The only issue I heard about the last event was it was hard to find parking. This will be solved this time because the venue has assured me they will have a valet, plus more parking lots open behind the venue (more info on this to come). Check out the rest of details below for the event, and I look forward to seeing you there! Also Click Here to sign up for the event on LinkedIn and see who else is already attending.
Where:
Busby’s East: 5364 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles 90036
When:
October 6th from 6:00-9:00 pm
Entry will include snacks, a raffle ticket for door prizes, and some quality networking. Sponsorship opportunities are available so contact lewis (at) lewishowes (dot) com if you are interested in learning more.
It is a $10 entry fee to pre register on the Google Checkout or PayPal button below, or $20 at the door. See you at the event! Once your purchase your ticket, please keep the email confirmation as a receipt and bring to the event for a speedy entry 
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Posted in Featured Articles, LinkedInView Comments
Cleveland LinkedIn Event Recap
Posted on 31 August 2009
The Cleveland LinkedIn networking event last week was a huge success. Over 400 people attended throughout the night and we added our first ever speed networking portion to spice up things during the night.
Many of you said the speed networking part was extremely fun because you were able to meet so many people in such a quick amount of time. Some of you said that it was good because you could figure out who you wanted to connect with right after the event.
Check out the slide show below to see what was going on during the upstairs portion of the event (sorry I didn’t take many pictures of the action downstairs this time) and also watch the quick video to see what speed networking is all about.
Want to learn about how to get the most out of LinkedIn to find a job, generate new business, make more money, find an investor, or build your credibility? If so, make sure to watch this video where I give away my top LinkedIn tips.
Posted in Featured ArticlesView Comments
An Agents Guide To Athletes
Posted on 27 August 2009
In roughly four months, Bob Ruxin and I will be releasing a new book: An Athlete’s Guide to Agents, 5th Edition. The book will cover everything from NCAA rules and regulations to turning pro early…and it even discusses the agent selection process. That process is not a one-way street. The principal is the athlete, who has control over his agent; however, the agent also has to agree to represent the athlete.
Athletes are often asked, “What influenced you to pick the particular agent/agency you chose for contractual and/or marketing representation,” but a question that is rarely asked of an agent is, “Why did you choose to recruit that particular player to be your client?” Some agents, especially those first starting on their own, do not have the luxury of being picky. But once an agent has a firm client-base, he is not going to go after twenty players in all fifty states.
So how does Mr. Somewhat Established Agent decide who to spend his time and money on? At the end of the day, if the potential client is not going to make the agent any money, then he is most likely not worth the agent’s time. I say most likely, because sometimes an agent may think about taking a player because of his referrals.
Let’s say a player is sub-par and has no shot at a long-term professional career, but he went to the strongest high school in his state for the sport that he played and retains a strong connection to the coaches and talented players who will one day go pro. That may be a guy you invest in because of the benefits he may bring to the table on referrals.
For the most part, though, an agent is only going to focus on recruiting the studs: The guys who are going to get the big bonuses and the strong multi-year contracts. That said, many agents will tell you that it is tough to recruit based on talent, alone. At my company, I will not take in a client, no matter how amazing he is at his sport, if he lacks character. You may be thinking to yourself that I am full of shit. But I tell you no lie. I am not about to invest five figures in a guy that I do not 100% believe in. That same guy can take my money and run. And it happens a lot in this business.
In judging character, I look for many attributes:
1) Care for one’s family,
2) Hard work ethic on-and-off the field,
3) A non-acceptance of mediocrity,
4) An openness to experiment with new ideas and technologies,
5) If there is a support system in place, that the athlete understands who has his best interests in mind and who is just there for a piece of the pie.
There are many more things that I search to figure out, but this is just a small sample for you to take a look at.
For all the criticism that was thrown at Mike Vick after he was convicted of dog-fighting charges, his agent, Joel Segal of BEST, stuck by his side. Was it because Mike Vick is an exceptionally talented athlete? That is part of the answer. But my opinion is that Segal sees something in Vick that many of us are not able to figure out from all of the media spin: That Vick’s character has changed and he is a new man.
We will be able to judge if this is the case, but I doubt that Segal and BEST would put their names on the line if they did not believe in Vick as a person outside of football. On the other end, current UFL Commissioner, Michael Huyghue, dropped Adam “Pacman” Jones as a client after his run in with the law. Commissions on Pacman’s contracts obviously were not worth dealing with the whole package.
Posted in Social Media, Sports NetworkerView Comments
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