Articles4YoungCoaches. #6: Get yourself out there! What are you waiting for?

Intro

Welcome to the sixth and final edition of Articles4YoungCoaches. This project firstly started as a rough idea after brainstorming a few different projects that I had in mind. The drive came from believing this is something I thought I could’ve found useful when I first started coaching. Lastly, this was a great way to reflect on my experiences so far, network and meet like-minded coaches. As well as providing a way of keeping me busy and on my toes during lockdown. The overall response has been fantastic and something that I really did not expect.

Therefore I firstly wanted to use this introduction as a way of saying thank-you to those coaches that have helped me along the way. The coaches who have reached out and provided feedback and the coaches who have hopefully used these articles for their main purpose, helping and supporting young coaches. I hope you have found the topics covered and information provided useful in one way or another.

2020

2020, what a year it’s turned into. Most of us really did not see this coming. I’m sure you can agree and relate, we never expected things to escalate like this and I’m sure we will never experience a year quite like it ever again.

Every aspect of our lives have been affected in different ways. From your daily routine to the ways we work and the ways we can socialise (sort of). To the new normal that we are all starting to slowly get to grips with. Life with face masks, hands covered in anti-bac gel and holding in sneezes and coughs in public. To avoid multiple death stares from onlookers, it’s like a crime!

Despite the terrible virus that has swept our world into a place of despair for the majority of this year. I feel I’ve used this time as well as possible. Trying to remain positive throughout the adversity. Trying to invest in myself as a coach. Trying to use my time wisely, to get myself out there and give myself the best opportunity moving forward and securing the next step.

Get yourself out there

As coaches we are often guilty of getting so involved with what we’re doing we forget what’s going on outside of football. I feel like I go through stages where I’m living in a bubble and nothing else matters. A world where there is nothing going on outside of your coaching, your teams, your planning, your trainings and your matches. It’s like an obsession.

Although being immersed within a coaching culture alongside a healthy football obsession undoubtedly has its benefits. This can also sometimes hinder the coach due to being so wrapped up within their own situation. It’s important to take a step back and realise that there’s plenty more out there that you can do alongside your coaching to boost your profile.

Enhancing your profile and getting yourself out there is growing increasingly more significant in todays world. Especially in the ever-competitive football coaching industry. There is always somebody doing more than you, there will always be someone ahead of the game. Make sure that person is you, don’t get left behind.

•  Keep doing what you’re doing
• Invest in yourself
• Learn from others
• Be open to change
• Continue to grow
• Never quit

These are all key factors, that if they are implemented into your daily life, will usually result in a successful coaching career. During this period of uncertainty, I’ve decided to do exactly that. My main drive behind this came from being stuck back at home without a job. Despite having 10 years coaching experience, international experience, academic qualifications and football related qualifications nobody really knew who I was still.

Therefore, I needed to do more to get myself out there. Make a name for myself and make it happen. This is not something that will not fall in your lap. This is not something that is given to you. You need to take responsibility, go out and get it. What are you waiting for?

What did I do?

Networking

This is an absolute must for ALL coaches. Networking is vital within the coaching world and the more connections you can build up the better. The more contacts you can reach out to all over the world will undoubtedly leave you in a stronger position going forward. I’ve now made it my personal goal, every time I travel to a new place I always try to make new connections. I now strive to find like minded people with similar interests and attributes. If you don’t do this, you’ll never know what could’ve been in the future.

The football world can be a small world at times. You’ll often find yourself running into someone you know, or find yourself coaching with or against somebody you have met before. By making a good impression with other like-minded coaches on a regular basis not only expands your coaching network, but gets you out there within the coaching community. You’re not just getting to know them, they are starting to know YOU!

Networking is all about finding coming ground, understanding, liking, supporting and wanting to get to know more about others. Some say football is a universal language but coaches views on the game tend to vary depending on culture, background, language, and age. By discussing a similar interest (Football) with a range of different personalities and minds is crucial to gaining a better overall understanding of the game. Something that I believe is key for future success.

How did I do it?

• Joined a coaching network (BFCN)
• Webinars
• Zoom calls
• Social Media
• Travel

Reconnecting

As highlighted above, networking is very important but so is reconnecting. After making those connections, you need to retain them. Retention is crucial to turn your connections into stronger bonds, meaningful relationships and regular forms of support.

It is also a good idea to reach out and reconnect with previous coaches that you’ve worked with. Ex-team mates and mentors that have helped you along the way. Old university peers that studied the same course as you. This is a fantastic way of reflecting on past experiences, alongside catching up with other coaches that you already have common interests with.

Reconnecting by showing a real interest in where others are at. Coupled with reflecting and discussing your nostalgic past is another powerful, yet easy to use tool that should always be in your coaching toolbox.

 How did I do it?

• Phone call
• Zoom call
• Email
• Social Media

Social Media

For me this has to right up there. This is the area I’ve probably focused on most since lockdown and an area I am still looking to improve on in the future. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that technology is the future. Everything is online. You can hit huge target audiences, you can use it in a variety of different ways and more importantly you can create meaningful platforms that show exactly what you’re all about. Get yourself out there.

The two platforms I’ve really concentrated on have been Instagram and LinkedIn. I firstly decided on Instagram due to it being my favourite out of all the big platforms. This was the one I used the most before I created a coaching profile. Therefore, I thought if i'm going to be spending a good amount of time on this app, I may as well use it for a good reason. Alongside this, I’ve recently been focusing more time towards my LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a key platform for any professional, it allows you to create an online network of other like-minded individuals and is more career and job focused.

Creating an online social media coaching profile is all well and good. However, to gain any real audience or attention you need to spend a good amount of time on creating an attractive page. For most, what you put in is what you get out. If you’re not regularly active, rarely posting or engaging and not really putting much effort into it. The chances are your page is going to go under the radar.

It’s important that you find your niche. What makes you unique? You also need to be posting quality content that’s not only useful but also aesthetically pleasing. Alongside this, you need to be engaging on a regular basis with other accounts. By giving attention to others, you often receive it back. Lastly, and most importantly; be yourself. It’s about striking that balance between yourself, your content and your audience. It’s important to captivate your followers and make your page something that you would ‘follow’ or ‘like’. 

The next step for me is to try and make successful profiles on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube alongside the work I’ve already started on Instagram and LinkedIn. It’s a good idea to focus on one or two platforms first. Experiment, discover and expand. Do not try to run before you can walk.

How did I do it?

• Create account
• Use a name which is easy to find when others are searching (@globalfootballcoach)
• Discover your niche
•  Identify target audience
• Be consistent with posting, content, engagement and audience

Write an article or blog

Writing Articles4YoungCoaches has been a fantastic way for me to get myself out there. Despite its purpose of helping and supporting others, It’s also allowed me to share and reflect on my stories and experiences with others.

It’s allowed me to give my opinions and thoughts on specific matters that I feel need discussing. More importantly, it’s helped me connect with other coaches. This has resulted in a great opportunity to network alongside providing a support platform to help others. This has proved extremely rewarding as you feel like you are giving something back to the coaching community.

You can do it too! It doesn’t have to be an article. You could put together a blog, write a book or even create something completely different. Follow you passion, be yourself and get yourself out there.

 How did I do it?

• Found something I was passionate about
• Reached out to others to get involved
• Spoke to those who have done something similar
• Promote via social media
• Write a draft – Get it checked – Publish
• Collect feedback

Record a podcast

Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular and effective in todays online world. Podcasts offer plenty of advantages for those who are passionate about a certain subject area or topic. Similar to writing a blog or article, podcasts provide the opportunity for story telling, experience sharing and networking opportunities with similar individuals. In return, featured coaches can provide marketable content and useful information that can be of serious worth for your listeners.

Podcasts are typically updated every week or two. Successful podcasts manage to keep the listener engaged for a long period of time, which usually results in them returning the following week. With podcasts now available on a wide range of streaming platforms, there is no better time than now to get yourself out there and get started.

Despite not actually recording my own podcast, I have been fortunate to have featured on two different pod’s since the start of lockdown. Both were very useful for myself personally. Each experience provided me with the opportunity to share my stories and promote my work. This was something I am extremely appreciative about and grateful for.

On top of this, the experience itself was a very enjoyable one. At first you’re not quite sure what to expect, However, once you settle in and the conversation starts flowing, it feels like you’re just chatting with your friends about football. I would highly recommend any coach who does not fancy running their own podcast, to try and feature on someone else's. Get yourself out there and learn something about yourself. Huge thank-you to Ruudy from r77Official and Lee Dunne from the Heads&Volleys Podcast. Check them out!

How did I do it?

• Shared some of my story on social media
• Ruudy and Lee reached out
• Zoom call
• Promote on social media platforms

Online Courses

With so much extra time on our hands during lockdown, topping up your education should definitely feature somewhere on your list of things to do. Another brilliant way of investing in yourself, brushing off the cobwebs and completing a few courses.

Online courses are relatively straight forward, easy to access and often provide some sort of certification after. Coaches are expected to continuously update their learning, but you should be doing this for yourself. Do it for you! Your personal development should always come first and with online courses there are really no excuses.

Depending on what course you want to take, within which area (coaching, scouting, analysis etc) and level, may slightly differ in regard to requirements and price. However if the cost of a course is holding you back, there are plenty of online courses that are readily available for free. You may need to sign up or register but this is the least of your worries. Get it done! Develop your learning, enhance your CV and get yourself out there!

How did I do it?

• Reached out to other coaches for recommendations
• Updated required Safeguarding / First Aid
• Completed all FA online learning modules
• Next looking to expand into other areas (Scouting/Talent I.D)

Actively look for new opportunities - Take all chances

This may not apply to everyone. If you already have a role that you're happy with you may not find yourself seeking out other opportunities, despite this it's always good to keep your options open. You never know what opportunity is around the corner. However, if you are looking for that new role, similar to myself at the start of lockdown, try and stay positive as that role could arise out of the most unlikely situation.

Within my short career so far i've realised opportunities tend to come from opportunities. You're more likely to find something if you're already doing something. Big opportunities don't always come around so often. This highlights the importance of making the most of the small ones as they could lead you to that dream role a little quicker. Rather than holding on for your perfect job to fall into your lap. Realistically, thats not going to happen.

Take every chance given to you. Make the most of that chance. Get yourself out there and see where it leads to.

What did I do?

• Joined a coaching network (BFCN)
• Job interviews
• Didn't get the jobs
• Didn't give up
• Got myself out there
• Volunteering
• Kept working hard towards goals
• Job offer in South Korea

Conclusion

Ask yourself; "are you happy with where you're currently at?" If you have a similar mindset to me in always wanting more, or always wanting to be the best you can be. You're probably already doing some of the things mentioned within this piece. However, if the answer is no and you don't find yourself doing anything about it to enhance your coaching profile and get yourself out there, thats probably why.

Most of the 'What did I do?' sections within this article are incredibly easy and simple solutions. Many of these solutions are not too time consuming, easily accessible (Online), easily achievable and incredibly beneficial towards your overall development.

By getting yourself out there and making the most of all resources available, you will not just improve as a coach but as a person also. During this period i've learnt so much about myself, whereas maybe I wouldn't have had time or made time available for in the past.

The little things you do really make a huge difference and have an influential impact on your development and coaching journey. So make the most of every opportunity offered to you and get yourself out there!

What are you waiting for?