NCAA college athletes have had the opportunity to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) for over a year now. One of the most common ways to earn NIL money has been through social media, but not everyone is going to be social media savvy. Luckily, there are many different ways that you can find NIL deals without having an online presence. 

Here are a few ways that you can utilize to earn NIL money offline:

Camps/Training

College athletes have found NIL success by offering private training classes or camps for youth and high school athletes. This arrangement works for all parties because parents are oftentime more likely to invest in a college athlete to coach their kids than another trainer and the athlete can charge a fee for training. This way, college athletes  can become a mentor to their trainees while cashing in on their hard work–it's a win-win!

Related: Want to Cash in and Give Back? 5 Tips to Help College Athletes Run a Successful Training Camp

Autographs and Personal Messages

As a college athlete, you hold status, so a great deal of NIL money is made through creating personal messages or signing autographs for fans. This can also be a great way to connect with your fan base. Even if you do not have a large following, sending out personal messages can create a loyal fan base. Cameo is one great way to connect with your fans through creating personalized messages at the rate of your choosing. 

Related: 6 Most Interesting NIL Deals

Wear Brands Around Campus

Another great way for college athletes to earn NIL money is to wear brands around campus. You can reach out to companies, especially ones that may not have many collegiate affiliates, and ask if they can compensate you for wearing their products around campus. There are companies that would be more than happy to send you their merchandise for free to wear around. Not only will you be compensated, but you'll also receive free clothes!

Create Your Own Brand

Have a funny nickname or hobby? What are your strengths? What drives you? Creating your own brand can  be a fun way to market yourself. For example, Ga'Quincy McKinstry, a defensive back at the University of Alabama, was nicknamed “Kool-Aid,” so he partnered with Kool-Aid for a deal. If you can get creative enough, there's a NIL brand with your literal name on it!

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* Originally published on November 18, 2022, by Kelly Wick