In a country where Cricket is next to Religion, Pakistan seems to have only a handful of Sports Agents and perhaps fewer Sports Managers. Like in any other field, the sports industry requires you to be on your toes and expects you to maintain your decorum at all times. You will be scrutinized on your moral epiphany and you will find yourself in unimaginable deals for your clients.

Following are a few tips that will make certain you stay at the top of your game and achieve the desired goals for you and your clients.

– You cannot be a sports manager overnight. You need to understand that the people in your industry will not proclaim your status as a sports agent or as a sports manager overnight. This accounts for a long, tedious journey and you will have to prove your worth before you can even call yourself one.

– Be ready to work for little or no money at all for a while. Your career will most likely start with an unpaid internship in an agency or a sports management firm, don’t take this spot for granted, learn the basics, start from zero, observe your superiors. Learning the tactics of this industry can be helpful for a lifetime.

– Social Media is your friend. Remember building a network is extremely important in today’s world, no matter what field you work in. Start a blog, tweet regularly, and make certain you are connected to others in this industry.

– Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t hold back, don’t feel shy; ask others working in this industry for the stories, the struggles and the pitfalls. Know the ins and outs of not only sports but also the ‘game’ of sports.

– Be prepared to learn something new, every day. Your sports management degree is not the only thing you require to survive here, read blogs, read journals, attend seminars and conferences, know the trends at all times. Keep up with the latest headlines, know the happenings.

– Bring something unique to the table. You need to know there are hundreds of others who graduated with you only and are trying to make a career in this very industry. You need to separate yourself from these, you need to come up with ideas that an athlete will find fruitful. You need to convince them to pick you over any other already well-established sports management firm.

– Grow and engage with your contact list. Keep on the lookout for fresh, new talent. Mark out key people in your industry and keep in regular contact with them. Keep your profile updated at all times, ready to be sent on a quarterly basis. Identify key skills, supports and/or tangible donations you need and ask people who they know that could help you. Think now about who is on your ‘holiday card’ list.

Not every agent or manager works in the very same approach; one makes his own path to success and should stick to it no matter what. However we hope these few startup tips will help you make a better sports manager and craft a dream career for you and your clients.

Meet Arsalan H. Shah – International Athlete Manager

Follow him on Twitter: @arsalanhshah

Written By: Ifrah Waqar

Follow her on Twitter: @IfrahWaqar

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