"King of NIL" Rayquan Smith on How to Market Yourself with Hustle | Summary and Q&A
TL;DR
Rayquan Smith shares his journey as a college athlete turned influencer, securing brand deals and paving the way for other student athletes to monetize their personal brands.
Key Insights
- 🍵 Navigating the creator economy requires persistence, resilience, and the ability to handle rejection.
- 👨🏫 Smaller schools and athletes can be great partners for restaurant owners seeking brand collaborations, as they may offer more engagement and dedication.
- 📺 Overcoming negativity and staying true to your vision are crucial for success in the influencer industry.
Transcript
Welcome to Restaurant Influencers presented by Entreprenuer Media. My name is Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali Barbecue and Cali Barbecue Media in San Diego. We want to give a special shout out to Toast, our title sponsor of this show for Believing in Smartphone Storytelling. Believing an influence. Believing in technology. Really backing this show t... Read More
Questions & Answers
Q: How did Rayquan Smith secure his first NIL deal, and what tactics did he use to attract more brand partnerships?
Rayquan secured his first deal by reaching out to companies on Instagram and proposing the value he could bring as an influencer. He attributes his success to creating great content, staying true to himself, and consistently pursuing brand deals.
Q: What advice does Rayquan have for restaurant owners looking to partner with student athletes for brand collaborations?
Rayquan advises restaurant owners to consider smaller schools and athletes, as they may be more engaged and willing to work hard in brand partnerships. It's important to communicate the benefits for both parties and take a chance on emerging influencers.
Q: How did Rayquan overcome rejection and deal with negative comments from haters?
Rayquan believes that rejection is an opportunity for growth and doesn't let negative comments affect him. He focuses on the supporters and engagement from his fans and uses the criticism as motivation to keep improving.
Q: What are Rayquan's goals for the future, and how does he envision his impact on the influencer industry?
Rayquan aims to continue playing football at a professional level while expanding his brand and securing more brand deals. He also wants to inspire other student athletes to follow in his footsteps and leverage their personal brands for success.
Summary & Key Takeaways
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Rayquan Smith, known as the King of NIL, shares his experiences and lessons in navigating the creator economy as a college athlete turned influencer.
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He discusses his early NIL deals and how he used social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to showcase his content and attract brand partnerships.
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Rayquan emphasizes the importance of persistence, handling rejection, and being true to oneself when pursuing opportunities as an influencer in the restaurant industry.