Advertise on podcast: Build It

Zac joins John and Nik, along with special guest interrogator Andy ,to discuss his work in North Carolina soccer, and in particular his efforts with Mountains To Sea FC.

This episode features an interview with Larry and Jacob Amon, who are launching a new club in the Maryland-Delaware region. They discuss their personal soccer backgrounds, the challenges of establishing a club in a less populated area with limited existing opportunities, and their strategies for securing funding, finding a venue, and building a strong community presence. The conversation also touches upon the importance of fan engagement and creating a unique and appealing club experience beyond just the games themselves. As ever, thanks to Fanbase for their support

This podcast features an interview with Dan Carl, director of the DKCU Academy and coach of our successful women's soccer team. Carl discusses his coaching philosophy, which emphasizes building team chemistry and a positive environment to reduce pressure, and foster player development and growth. He also describes the academy's structure, its connection to the adult team, and the pathway it provides for young players. The conversation touches upon challenges in transitioning youth players to college and adult levels, Carl's long career in soccer, and his pride in player development. Check out FanBase

AnswerIn this episode of the Build It podcast, host John Hall welcomes Shannon Bohn, the Media and Community Relations Coordinator for Orthodontic Experts. They delve into the organization's mission of community engagement and educational outreach, which has been pivotal in their growth from one clinic to 26 across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana over the past 12 years.Shannon shares insights into how Orthodontic Experts differentiates itself through fun and engaging educational programs aimed at all ages, addressing common misconceptions about oral hygiene and orthodontics. She discusses their unique partnerships with local organizations, including a recent initiative to support a homeless shelter by donating essential health supplies.The conversation also explores the importance of having a clear mission in guiding decision-making and community involvement. Shannon emphasizes the shift in focus from merely increasing brand visibility to fostering meaningful connections within communities. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on how effective outreach can create lasting impacts and enhance community relationships in any organization. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on making a difference through dedicated service and education!

In this episode, hosts Nik Myles and John Hall discuss the past season's performance of their soccer club, DKCU, and share their plans for the upcoming year. They cover topics like the men's and women's team results, the impact of relegation, fan engagement efforts, and the club's growth strategy moving forward. The hosts reflect on DKCU's journey so far and outline their key priorities and approaches for the future.

The podcast discusses building value for long-term success through emotional connections, market research, and branding. Dave, John and Nik decode pricing strategies and fan reactions, optimizing ticket prices for events. Insights on enhancing ticket value perception and strategies for season ticket sales are also explored, along with casual banter and a soccer club startup advertisement. 3 Takeaways •Understanding customer value is crucial for effective pricing strategies. •Enhancing customer experience through unique offerings can improve value perception. •Market research and tailored pricing strategies are essential to meet audience preferences. Deep Dives Valuing the Product and Establishing Pricing Strategy The podcast discussion delves into the importance of accurately assessing the value of a product or service in order to establish an effective pricing strategy. It emphasizes that value perception can be influenced by both tangible and intangible factors, such as the emotional experience offered to customers. By focusing on understanding what customers find valuable and engaging in dialogue with them, businesses can tailor their pricing and offerings to meet consumer preferences. Enhancing Customer Experience and Perceived Value The podcast highlights the significance of enhancing customer experience to increase perceived value, especially in the context of a soccer club. It suggests innovative approaches, like offering exclusive experiences or benefits alongside ticket purchases, to add value for customers. By providing unique and memorable experiences, clubs can differentiate themselves, build stronger relationships with fans, and attract more supporters. Differentiation in Pricing and Adding Experiential Value The discussion underscores the importance of differentiation in pricing strategies to maximize perceived value. By offering tiered pricing structures or special incentives for early purchases, businesses can create a sense of exclusivity and increase appeal. Additionally, incorporating experiential elements, like unique events or collaborations, can further enhance the value proposition for customers. Understanding Market Dynamics and Unique Audience Preferences The podcast emphasizes the need to understand market dynamics and tailor pricing and offerings to specific audience preferences. It highlights the diverse nature of audience segments and how unique demographics may require different pricing approaches. By conducting market research and engaging with customers, organizations can adapt their strategies to align with market needs and enhance overall value perception. Building Sustainable Business Models and Community Engagement The discussion touches on the significance of building sustainable business models while fostering community engagement. It stresses the importance of long-term sustainability, which may involve evaluating pricing structures and revenue sources. By actively engaging with the community, understanding local dynamics, and offering value-driven experiences, businesses can create a lasting impact and establish strong relationships with their audience.

A conversation between John and Andrew Grum. They discuss Andrew's background, his internship experiences with Dekalb County United and the minor league baseball team, Kane County Cougars. We hear about: Andrew's interest in sports, sales, and providing good fan/community experiences Differences between the casual, volunteer-based soccer club structure and the more corporate structure of minor league baseball Ticket sales strategies and offerings for generating fan attendance and engagement Ideas for improving operations and accountability within the volunteer-based soccer club Andrew's career interests and goals for the future John's motivations for starting the soccer club and perspectives on its evolution and impact in the community Overall, it's a wide-ranging conversation about sports, community engagement, internship experiences, and operational considerations for amateur sports organizations.

Sarah Levinger, a Consumer Behavior Strategist, discusses the power of perspective and long-term brand building, the importance of connections and attentional bias, the psychology of marketing and branding, understanding generational differences in marketing, and expanding the market and creating a different experience. She might also be a lunatic, in the most wonderful way. Big shout out to our special guest co-host on this episode, Ashely. Key Takeaways Understanding generational slang helps create relatable content Select specific AI tools with an understanding of capabilities for marketing efficiency Target different customer segments with offers that make trying your product easy

Zach Fisher joined us to talk about Year 2 with AFC Colombia, their merger with Missouri Reign, and the Midwest Premier League's announcement of intention to move toward a tiered structure https://afccomo.com/afc-columbia-and-missouri-reign-announce-merger-to-elevate-soccer-in-mid-missouri/ https://midwestpl.com/2030-plan-the-mwpl-announces-new-league-vision/

Introducing a New Soccer Franchise in Aurora, Illinois The podcast episode features an interview with the founders of Riverlight, a new soccer franchise in Aurora, Illinois. The founders discuss their soccer backgrounds and their goal of bringing a new USL team to the area. They explain that Aurora was chosen as the location due to its large population center and the presence of a strong youth soccer community. The founders express their ambition to be a USL League One team in the future. Challenges and Strategies for Community Engagement The founders discuss the importance of community engagement and building partnerships in Aurora. They explain that success for them means having a positive impact on the community and building a fan base of around 500 people per game. They highlight their focus on being family-friendly, affordable, and providing a high-quality soccer experience for the community. The founders also mention their plans to hold events, collaborate with local businesses, and work with youth soccer clubs to promote their brand. The Workload and Marketing Plans for Riverlight The founders discuss the amount of time they are investing in the club, with each of them dedicating around 40 hours per week to various tasks. They mention that marketing and storytelling are a priority for them, as they aim to create a narrative around the club's development. They emphasize the importance of spreading the workload and working with volunteers and professionals to market the club effectively. The founders express their desire to learn from other clubs and implement successful strategies in their own marketing efforts.

Join Nik & John in conversation with Chicago soccer stalwart and pioneer of walking soccer, George Gorecki. The gents talk through George's time with his club, as part of Chicago's storied National Soccer League, and the merger with the Metropolitan Soccer League, before diving into the exciting world of walking soccer. You'll get the history, the growth, and the possibilities, all in one hour! Find George and his friends here Learn more about walking soccer here and here.

In this episode, hosts Nik and John are joined by special guest Jimmie Martin, host of the Bluegrass Soccercast podcast. The three dive into the Kentucky soccer scene, discussing the pro, semi-pro, amateur, and college teams in the state. Jimmie provides an overview of the different leagues and clubs, including Louisville City FC, Lexington Sporting Club, and Bowling Green FC. They compare the fan experiences, stadium environments, and community outreach efforts of the various teams. Jimmie highlights some of the standout marketing and promotions he's seen local clubs implement. The hosts also explore the connections (or lack thereof) between the pro clubs, colleges, youth clubs, and local semi-pro sides. They debate how to best promote the "pyramid" and grow the game in communities through cross-promotion. On the podcasting side, they dissect how to build an audience, monetize through sponsorships, and balance club-specific vs. wider soccer coverage. Jimmie outlines his production schedule and social media strategy for the Bluegrass Soccercast. Check out the Bluegrass Soccer Show when you're done. And if you like what we're doing (why wouldn't you?) buy us a coffee.

In this episode, we speak with Brad Seymour, President of the Windy City Bulls, the G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls. Brad shares his insights on running a successful minor league basketball franchise, including how they approach ticket sales, promotions, partnerships, and creating a great fan experience. Key topics discussed: Brad's career path from baseball to basketball, and his philosophy on creativity and not being afraid to fail Differences between independent minor league teams vs NBA-affiliated G League teams How the Windy City Bulls focus ticket sales on group outings rather than individual season tickets Tailoring promotions and giveaways towards weekend games vs lower attendance weeknights Partnering with arena management to enhance branding and fan experience Leveraging resources from the Chicago Bulls while still maintaining autonomy over Windy City's messaging Guiding younger staff and taking pride in their development and growth We feel like there is much to be learned from Brad's time in minor league sports, and you'll gain useful insights into engaging fans, corporate partners, and the local community. Tune in to hear Brad's minor league sports wisdom!

Founder and managing director of Harpost Football Club, Johnny Freeston is our guest today as we discuss the club's history and its success. We touch on the challenges of running the club daily and the secret sources for its success. Freeston, who has led the club to over a dozen trophies and championships, emphasizes the club's goal of fostering community and providing opportunities for players to develop. Then we discuss the importance of culture and advice for non-league soccer clubs in making an impact on the pitch and beyond.

John and Nik catch up after the season ends, talking about the highlights from this past year. The club had record fundraising, killer attendance, and some big wins against rival clubs when they were the home team. But they struggled to keep that energy going for away games. They talk about how they really need to actively invite and pump people up to come out each week, rather than just assuming fans will show up on their own. The corporate parties and group outings were a hit. Looking ahead, they want to focus more on community impact through new volunteer committees. John is putting together an operations manual to capture all their institutional knowledge. Nik discusses the positives on the marketing side, like pivoting to fun, community-focused messaging. He wants to improve targeting different platforms and audiences. They need more high-quality creative content. They debate how to turn casual fans into passionate supporters who bleed club colors. Getting the next generation hyped, like the academy kids, is crucial. Overall the club keeps growing and building sustainability, but there's still a ton of work to become integral to the local community.