Are you a college athlete looking for ways to make money through the use of your name, image and likeness? Under the current NCAA rules governing NIL, college athletes can generate revenue through partnerships with brands and products as well as through their own ventures. With this opportunity on the table, college athletes certainly face some challenges when it comes to deciding how they attempt to make money from NIL.

Here are the seven best ways to maximize your NIL earnings:

#1. Utilize Social Media

Brands are always keeping an eye out for athletes with a large social media following. But even if you don't have millions of followers, being active and creating content on social media is a great way to increase your follower account and establish your audience. Doing both of these will make you more desirable for brands and lead to more partnerships and opportunities to earn money through sponsored posts and promoting products and services.

Related: NIL Collectives: What are They and How are They Impacting College Athletics?

#2. Network within Your Campus and Community

A majority of NIL deals are not with nationwide brands. A large number of partnerships are made between smaller, local businesses and athletes at their local colleges in the same geographic area. Therefore, it is crucial to network with local businesses and create a positive image within the community. Doing so will likely put you high on the list of athletes these companies will want to work with should they choose to pursue an NIL deal. 

#3. Partner with Brands With Similar Audiences

Once you have an established audience for yourself and your personal brand, seeking partnerships with brands with similar audiences will increase the number of NIL deals you are likely to receive. These partnerships will also allow for the most authentic promotion, as brands looking to target your audience are more likely to be aligned with your values and interests.

#4. Use a Professional Service to Find NIL Deals

There are multiple professional online services, including companies like Icon Source and MarketPryce, that college athletes can use to secure NIL deals. These companies provide a platform that allows brands to find college athletes, and vice versa, in order to engage in NIL agreements. These services are very valuable when it comes to lesser known athletes, as they help arrange a way for these athletes to be seen by brands. 

Related: The #1 Tip to Maximize Your NIL Potential

#5. Sell Autographs and Personalized Video Messages

Many sites like Cameo and Opendorse give college athletes the ability to sell personalized video messages to fans for a fee. While the cost for each video typically varies based on athlete popularity, this is a way for college athletes to generate some extra revenue through their NIL. The same goes for selling autographed items–plus, athletes can sell personalized greetings and autographs on their own, and doing so doesn't necessarily require working with a company. 

#6. Offer Camps and Clinics in Your Sport

Putting on camps and clinics for your sport either in your hometown or near your school is a great way to not only earn revenue from your NIL, but also help build goodwill, especially if the camp is for youth athletes. Your popularity will increase as well, as those who attend the camp along with their family members are likely to talk about their experience with others. Highlights from these camps can also be used to further promote your brand on social media, making future NIL deals more valuable for both you and the brand you are working with.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

#7. Secure NIL Deals with Your Teammates

Not only can individual athletes secure NIL deals, but entire teams can do so as well. This provides the opportunity for more athletes who may not traditionally receive any NIL deals to begin earning extra income. For example, Crimson and Cream, a University of Oklahoma focused collective, offered the entire Sooner football team an NIL deal. So talk to your teammates and see if they're interested in earning money together–they might surprise you with their willingness to team up!

Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on May 18, 2023, by Owen Roche