?? SMASHING INSTA

? Empowering female tennis stars

In honor of International Women's Day, March 8, we’ll closely examine some amazing female athletes. In many aspects, tennis leads the way for women in sports, showing that growth, visibility, and equality, are entirely possible. Athletes create value by generating attention. But while the Top 15 women tennis players are - cearly - doing exceptionally well – both on and off the court - their use of Instagram shows they could be doing even better! - #IWD2024

??? Unlock the potential.

The analytics reveal that 16 (partially retired) female tennis players boast over 38 million Instagram followers, a significant contrast to the WTA's 1.2 million. Despite the WTA's professional efforts, athlete accounts remain significantly more popular among fans. Athletes lack the professional support to optimize their digital brand presence, often treating it casually and haphazardly. Just imagine the influence, income, and impact they could unlock if they embraced a more strategic and professional approach. - #WTA

?? Staggering numbers

From January 1st, 2023, to January 31st, 2024, Iga ?wi?tek posted 103 times, the highest among the 16 athletes we studied, but still significantly below Instagram's best practice standards. Serena Williams boasts over 14 times more followers than the WTA. Aryna Sabalenka experienced a staggering 75.13% growth in her followers. Elena Rybakina maintains an impressive engagement rate of 13.50%.

However, there’s a chance here for genuine professionals to get serious about their online brand presence. Make a strategic plan, share your story, optimize your online presence, start posting more frequently and consistently, and maybe even use data to understand what works and what doesn’t ??. Build a better brand! Grow your independence, influence, income, and overall impact.

?? It’s your turn

To all the fantastic athlete brand builders, you already know that authentic, athlete-centric content can genuinely touch the hearts of your audience, by being more active and thoughtful online. Here’s the data to prove it. Now is the time to level up your game and build a better brand. Stop being afraid of being different. Embrace your weirdness. Complete your team. Get the professional support you need. Build the brand and business that your talent and hard work deserve.

?? Top 3 Insta-stats:

Growth: Aryna Sabalenka led with an impressive 75.13% increase, adding 1,173,264 followers. Coco Gauff followed with 49.24% growth, gaining 819,779 followers. Ons Jabeur experienced a notable 38.86% increase, while Iga ?wi?tek achieved a respectable 28.00% rise in followers.

Engagement Rate: Elena Rybakina showcased the highest engagement rate, at 13.50%. Notable engagement rates include Beatriz Haddad Maia's 7.22%, Jessie Pegula's 6.42%, and Maria Sakkari's 4.96%.

Sustained Relevance: Tennis icons like Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Caroline Wozniacki demonstrate the enduring relevance of their brand, emphasizing the importance of building a brand beyond on-court results.

♀? EMPOWERING FEMALE ATHLETES

Today, most girls and women have access to sports, with female sports participation at an all-time high. Attendance numbers and ratings are broken monthly, and female sports icons are building incredible brands. Despite these advancements, gender inequality in sports remains one of its biggest challenges.

1. Facing unique challenges:

As a female athlete, you face unique hurdles that can overshadow your achievements. You're often underestimated, subjected to heightened scrutiny, and unfairly criticized compared to male athletes. Arbitrary beauty standards, stereotypes, and sexism can complicate your journey to success. Juggling athletic goals and family planning, including pregnancies or potential name changes after marriage, may add brand-building complexity and pressure.

2. Setting your boundaries:

Establishing clear boundaries is essential, especially in today's digital age. Decide what you're comfortable sharing online, whether photos featuring your partner, wearing a swimsuit, or disclosing your real-time location. By sticking to your boundaries, you can protect your privacy, mental well-being, and safety.

3. Dealing with online harassment:

Unfortunately, online harassment has become a reality for most athletes. Do not hesitate to act against abusive behavior. Utilize privacy settings, report threats, and seek support from trusted individuals such as friends, family, administrators, authorities, and professionals. Remember, you are not alone; there's help available to navigate these challenges.

?? Unleash your superpower!

In today's digital age, there's immense potential for all the athletes who have been historically sidelined, underpaid, underestimated, undercovered, and underrepresented. Stop relying on others to amplify your voice. Take control of your narrative. Connect directly with your audience. Pay attention only to opinions that matter to you. Stand up against injustice, inequality, and ignorance. Wear whatever you like. Love fearlessly. Speak your truth and embrace your authentic self!

?? Empowering athletes and allies

Athletes, regardless of gender, hold the power to shape the sports industry. By advocating for equality and setting clear boundaries, you contribute to a more inclusive environment. Male athletes also play a vital role in promoting gender equality. Together, we can amplify female voices, attract investment in women's sports, and advocate for fair pay and opportunities. Let's leverage our platforms to drive positive change and create a brighter future for all athletes.

Every month, we curate a collection of athlete-focused job openings across the sports industry, including rightsholders, brands and corporate partners. If you know of a relevant opening, please message me.

This month's opportunities feature????

阿迪达斯 Australia

Senior Specialist Sports Marketing | Melbourne, Australia

Red Bull Athlete Marketing Specialist

Athlete Marketing Specialist | Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Manager, Athlete Marketing | Philadelphia, PA

Manager, Athlete Marketing | Dallas, TX

Manager, Athlete Marketing | Chicago, IL

Allianz Working Student

Employer Brand & HR Comms Olympic & Paralympic Partnership | Munich, Germany

Gymshark

Influencer Marketing Manager | Denver, CO

TaylorMade Golf Company

Director US Sports Marketing | Carlsbad, CA

Skechers

Director of Sports Marketing – Basketball | Manhattan Beach, CA

Trend Management

Manager for Athlete Partnerships | Houston, TX

Fanatics

Athlete Partnerships Associate, signings | Dallas, TX

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Athlete Services Co?rdinator | Las Vegas, NV

NFLPA 2024 Summer Intership program.

Internships NFLPA | Washington D.C.

Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 (Open positions include roles in athlete services)

Rejoindre Paris 2024 | Paris, France

If you have an opening that you think should be included, please message me here.??

This Forbes article presents some of the latest data and insights on the global social media landscape and how it affects various industries, including sports.

Top Social Media Statistics And Trends Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor

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