Sports Marketing Machine Podcast

Hosted by Jeremy Neisser

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168

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

If you're a sports executive or digital marketer working to fill seats, drive ticket sales, and grow your fan base, the Sports Marketing Machine Show is for you! Award-winning sports marketing veteran host, Jeremy Neisser brings with him over 21 years of experience in sports marketing and shares We'll cover all aspects of marketing including digital advertising, social media strategy, branding, customer relationship management, and how to best use analytics to measure success. With interviews from experts in digital marketing and sports industry veterans, you’ll be sure to find some helpful tips on how to engage more with your fans – all while having fun learning. Tune into Sports Marketing Machine for tips and advice on how to grow your fan base and sell more tickets.

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June 16, 2026Episode 16917 min

169 - Group Sales 101 — Part 2 Apply Friction Test to Your Outreach

Send us Fan MailThe same friction that quietly kills conversions on your group sales page is killing your reps' email responses too — same problem, just a different channel. In Part 2 of the Group Sales 101 series, Jeremy Neisser walks through the four-question friction test for cold outreach, the caveman test that exposes a hard-to-read email in 10 seconds, and a real-world rewrite that tripled one rep's response rate without changing the offer. Practical, tactical, and ready to apply to your team's outreach this week.KEY TOPICS COVERED- How cognitive load starts in the inbox — not on your website — and why most reps miss it- The four questions every cold group sales email must answer in under 10 seconds- Why long emails get deleted, not read, by busy HR directors and office managers- Writing first lines that signal relevance to specific buyer personas- Using 3–4 short bullets instead of paragraphs to describe what's included- The case for showing pricing early — and the response-rate data that backs it up- One email, one ask: writing CTAs that get answered in 10 seconds- The caveman test — a 10-second readability gut check that flags friction fast- A real example: cutting one rep's 5-paragraph cold email to 3 sentences tripled her response rate- Using Claude or ChatGPT to stress-test your outreach against the friction test before you sendTIMESTAMPS[00:00] – Welcome and recap of Episode 168 on group sales personalization[00:35] – Why this episode builds on Episode 154 (reducing friction on your group sales page)[01:10] – The four buyer questions: Is this for me? What do I get? What does it cost? What's next?[01:55] – Same friction, different channel: applying website thinking to email outreach[02:39] – How cognitive load starts at the email or voicemail — not the landing page[03:05] – Anatomy of a typical group sales cold email — and why it fails[03:35] – TLDR: when buyers do mental gymnastics, they don't respond[04:02] – Real example: a 250-company outreach that produced only 5–10 responses[04:35] – How cutting that email to 3 sentences tripled the response rate[05:01] – The four-question test for your cold emails[05:30] – Writing a relevant first line: HR directors vs. youth pastors vs. corporate buyers[06:24] – Question 2: What do I get? Use 3–4 bullets, drop the jargon[07:23] – Why "dedicated group area" loses to "everyone sits together"[08:00] – Question 3: What does it cost? Why pricing transparency increases responses[08:19] – When pricing is missing, buyers fill the gap with a number that's too high[09:00] – A pricing A/B test that proved transparent pricing wins[09:42] – Question 4: What do I do next? Why most CTAs fail[10:11] – "Let me know if you're interested" is not a call to action[10:45] – One email, one ask: writing low-friction CTAs[11:39] – The caveman test: 10-second clarity check[12:08] – Real example: handing a cold email to a kitchen worker, groundskeeper, and usher[13:03] – Using Claude or ChatGPT to run the friction and caveman tests on your emails[14:00] – Episode takeaways[14:28] – Preview of Part 3: how great reps place groups strategically[15:50] – Why confidence and small wins change the culture of a sales team[16:42] – Closing CTA: ratings, reviews, and how to get in touchCALL TO ACTIONIf group sales is on your plate this season, share Episode 169 with your reps and run their current cold email through the four-question friction test together. Questions or want a second set of eyes on your outreach? Reach out at sportsmarketingmachine.com to schedule a call.QUOTE PULLSJeremy Neisser: "Confused people don't respond."Jeremy Neisser: "The long email isn't a thorough email. It's a hard email. And hard emails don't get read."Jeremy Neisser: "When there's no pricing at all, the buyer's brain fills in the gaps. And almost every single time, they're going to come up with a number that's too high."Jeremy Neisser: "One email, one ask. The more decisions you force a buyer to make, the less likely they are to make any of them."Links mentioned:Episode 168 - Group Sales 101 — Part 1- Personalization Wins Group SalesEpisode 154 - How to Make Your Group Sales Page Easier to Buy FromEpisode Web pageSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

June 12, 2026Episode 16813 min

168 - Group Sales 101 — Part 1- Personalization Wins Group Sales

Send us Fan MailMost group sales reps are losing deals before they ever hit send. In Part 1 of a new three-part group sales series, Jeremy Neisser breaks down why one email template going to every organization on your list is quietly capping your response rate — and how reframing every pitch around the buyer's goal (fellowship, recognition, memories) instead of your ticket inventory tripled one rep's response rate in a matter of weeks. Tactical, specific, and built for marketing and ticket sales leaders who want a smarter outbound program this season.KEY TOPICS COVERED• Why product-first thinking is killing your group sales outreach• The one question every rep should answer before sending a pitch• Why churches don't buy tickets — they buy fellowship• Why HR directors need the easy button, not a 68-page PDF• Why youth team coordinators are buying memories, not pricing• How to build five core pitches that map to your five biggest group buckets• Using ChatGPT or Claude to categorize last year's group sales list• The real reason your 40–50 emails a week aren't converting• How decision-makers differ across group types — and what each one actually responds to• The mindset shift that separates order takers from revenue builders• What's coming in Part 2: the language shift most group sales reps missTIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to Episode 168 and what's different about this three-part series00:29 – The most common group sales outreach mistake — one template for every group01:17 – Why product-first thinking shrinks your response rate01:45 – Case study: 40–50 emails a week to tripled response rate in weeks03:35 – The one question to answer before every pitch04:05 – Church outreach: why fellowship beats ticket pricing every time05:50 – Corporate outreach: why HR directors are buying the easy button07:44 – Youth sports outreach: memories, not seat maps09:10 – The tactical shift: build five core pitches, one per group type09:39 – Ninja move: use ChatGPT or Claude to categorize your existing group sales list10:38 – Why a specific message beats a high-volume e-blast every time11:30 – The three big takeaways from Part 112:00 – What's coming in Part 2: communication and the language shift most reps miss12:57 – Share the episode and what to do this weekCALL TO ACTIONIf this episode helped, share it with your group sales manager or a teammate selling group tickets — and rate the show on Apple or Spotify so more sports business pros can find it.QUOTE PULLS• "Every group that walks through your gate has a reason for being there. And it is almost never because they wanted to buy a hundred tickets." — Jeremy Neisser• "The reps who ask, why would this group want to come before they send anyone anything are the ones that close more business." — Jeremy Neisser• "She was sending 40 to 50 emails a week and getting almost no responses. Once she built five different versions, her response rate tripled in a matter of weeks." — Jeremy Neisser• "The rep who loses leads with ticket pricing. The rep who wins leads with why this is a great fit for what they're already trying to accomplish." — Jeremy Neisser• "Build your messaging around their goal, not your product." — Jeremy NeisserLinks:Podcast Episode PageFree Download: The ChatGPT (or Claude) Prompt Pack for Group SalesSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

June 4, 2026Episode 16714 min

167 - The Real Value of Outsourcing Your Marketing (The Hidden Cost of Doing Everything In-House)

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 167 of the Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, Jeremy Neisser breaks down the strategic value of outsourcing marketing functions inside a sports organization. Instead of anchoring the conversation on agency fees, Jeremy reframes it around leverage — how external support frees internal capacity so your best people can focus on the relationships, sponsorships, and revenue activities that actually move the business. A must-listen for any lean front office trying to do more with the staff they have.KEY TOPICS COVERED• The true cost of doing everything in-house versus outsourcing• How busy staff often spend time on low-value, operational tasks• The revenue impact of strategic activities like sponsorships, community engagement, and partnerships• The importance of focusing internal talent on relationship-building and revenue growth• When certain marketing functions should stay internal versus outsourced• The role of external agencies in providing expertise, systems, and breathing room• Common chaos in sports organizations and how outsourcing can bring consistency and discipline• The four levers every lean team should be pulling: own, systematize, automate, delegate• Why the best sports organizations win on leverage, not headcount• Main takeaways: opportunity cost, leverage, and strategic focus for lean teamsTIMESTAMPS[00:00] – Introduction: rethinking outsourcing in sports marketing[00:27] – The core question: what's the best use of your staff's time?[00:57] – Low-value tasks overwhelming talented sports staff[01:26] – The concept of leverage through outsourcing[02:05] – Hidden costs of in-house work and revenue opportunities missed[02:33] – Evaluating agency costs versus opportunity costs[03:02] – Tasks that distract from revenue growth (graphics, ads, lists)[03:29] – Strategic activities like sponsorships, community relations, and retention[03:54] – The value of long-term partnerships and event experiences[04:24] – The toll of execution work on talented staff[04:53] – Differentiating between operational and strategic work[05:23] – How operational tasks limit growth potential[05:47] – Focusing on relationship-driven, revenue-generating activities[06:13] – The importance of leaders spending time on high-impact tasks[06:43] – Talented sports marketing pros are often overwhelmed[07:11] – The chaos inherent in sports organizations[07:40] – The constant reactive nature of sports marketing[08:07] – The need for strategic focus amidst chaos[08:33] – External support creates stability and systems[09:00] – Expertise versus capacity: the real value of outside support[09:28] – The value of outside partners in trend spotting and learning[09:55] – Outsourcing decisions should maximize internal talent[10:25] – Tasks suitable for external support (ads, reporting, automation)[10:54] – The evolving nature of platform algorithms and AI[11:23] – The key takeaway: maximizing internal talent through outsourcing[11:53] – The importance of leverage: systems, automation, delegation[12:22] – Main takeaways summary: opportunity cost, revenue impact, strategic focus, leverage[12:52] – Reflect on where your team spends time and elevate high-impact activities[13:20] – How to get help: scheduling a call for sports marketing insights[13:45] – Preview of upcoming episodes on group sales strategies[14:15] – Call to action: rate, review, and share to help others grow their fan baseCALL TO ACTIONIf this episode made you rethink where your team spends its time, take a hard look at what your best people actually do all day. Two people on our staff have 20+ years in sports — one is a former team president. We'll spend 30 minutes walking through your marketing structure, automation opportunities, and outsourcing decisions with you. Schedule a call using the link in the show notes.RESOURCES & LINKSSports Marketing Machine on Apple PodcastsSports Marketing Machine Podcast on SpotifyEpisode page: LINKRevelocity SportsQUOTE PULLS"The best outsourcing decisions aren't about replacing your people. They're about maximizing your people." — Jeremy Neisser"A GM putting together meta ads is using your cleanup hitter to drag the field. Sure they could do it, but should they?" — Jeremy Neisser"The real cost of outsourcing isn't the fee. It's the opportunity cost of what your staff can't focus on internally." — Jeremy Neisser"The best organizations aren't the ones with the biggest staffs. They're the ones that understand leverage." — Jeremy Neisser"Sometimes the value isn't they're better than us. Sometimes the value is they allow us to focus on the highest value work." — Jeremy NeisserSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

May 29, 2026Episode 16613 min

166 - How Do You Know If Your Agency Is Actually Good?

Send us Fan MailMost sports teams hire an agency to sell more tickets — then evaluate them on impressions, clicks, and CPM. In Episode 166, Jeremy Neisser breaks down why those vanity metrics are misleading, what an outside marketing partner can and can't control, and the conversion-focused metrics that actually tell you whether your agency is earning its fee. A practical episode for any marketing director, ticket sales leader, or revenue officer evaluating an outside partner this season.KEY TOPICS COVERED- Why most sports teams are scoring their agency on the wrong scoreboard — and what to use instead- The difference between vanity metrics (impressions, clicks, CPM, reach) and revenue-driving metrics (conversions, cost per buyer, attributed revenue)- Why huge website traffic with no buyers means the campaign didn't work- What marketing can fix — and what it can't (pricing, schedule, fan experience, ticketing UX)- "Marketing is multiplication, not magic": how a weak offer or broken product gets amplified, not solved- How to spot the silent killer of agency partnerships: chaos creation vs. chaos reduction- The exact KPIs to hold your agency accountable to: conversions, conversion rate, cost per purchase, cost per lead, repeat buyers, AOV, retargeting growth, attributed revenue- Why pattern recognition and platform speed are the real product you're paying for- How a great agency lets a marketing director get out of the "0-2 count" mindset and operate proactively- What separates a transactional vendor from a true strategic partner- The right questions to ask when reviewing your current agency's performanceTIMESTAMPS[00:00] – Why evaluating a sports marketing agency is harder than it looks[00:25] – The vanity-metric trap: why impressions and clicks mislead leadership[00:53] – Why heavy website traffic still produces flat ticket sales[01:22] – The metrics that actually drive growth and ROI[01:45] – What marketing can't fix: pricing, schedule, and operational issues[02:14] – Red flags: agencies that create chaos instead of reducing it[02:43] – Tactical work vs. strategic impact in agency evaluation[03:07] – Why attribution and proactive reporting separate good agencies from bad[03:35] – Building collaborative relationships, not vendor relationships[04:04] – Using your agency to actually understand fan behavior[04:32] – Where marketing hits a wall against broken business systems[05:01] – How the right agency brings clarity and reduces internal chaos[05:30] – Reactive vs. proactive communication: how to tell the difference[06:00] – Holding agencies accountable on sales and revenue, not activity[06:29] – Why strategic insight beats surface-level metrics every time[07:00] – How agency partnerships evolve from transactional to strategic[07:26] – Measuring agency success through conversions and audience growth[07:55] – The role of attribution and clear, honest reporting[08:16] – The daily firefight in sports marketing — and how an agency should ease it[08:46] – Pattern recognition, trend identification, and creative testing speed[09:13] – When an agency challenges assumptions and sparks new ideas[09:40] – Building a strategic partnership focused on tickets and fan growth[10:09] – The real value of proactive trend analysis and outside perspective[10:37] – Main takeaways: business impact over vanity metrics[11:04] – Why marketing amplifies — but doesn't solve — operational issues[11:33] – Clarity and strategic collaboration as the new standard[11:59] – How to honestly assess your current agency's reporting[12:21] – Free 30-minute consult: get a second opinion on your agency reports[12:48] – Final thoughts and how to share this with your teamCALL TO ACTIONIf you're working with an outside marketing partner and you're not sure whether the reporting you're getting actually proves they're moving the needle, Jeremy is offering a free 30-minute conversation to walk through it with you. No pitch, no strings — just clarity. Grab a slot at sportsmarketingmachine.com.RESOURCES & LINKSRevelocity Sports: https://revelocitysports.com/Jeremy Neisser on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jeremyneisserFree 30-Minute Marketing Consultation: https://sportsmarketingmachine.com/QUOTE PULLSJeremy Neisser: "Clicks don't pay the bills. Impressions don't pay the bills. Conversions do."Jeremy Neisser: "Traffic without conversion is just noise."Jeremy Neisser: "Marketing is multiplication, not magic. If the underlying experience is broken, marketing just amplifies the problem."Jeremy Neisser: "A good agency should reduce chaos, not create it. If your agency creates more fires than they put out, that's a problem."Jeremy Neisser: "The best agencies don't just run ads and send reports. They become strategic partners — they challenge assumptions, bring ideas, and connect your marketing to revenue."Episode page - LINKSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

May 23, 2026Episode 16533 min

165 - You’re Behind Pace — Now What?

Send us Fan MailYou're halfway through the season and the pacing report says you're behind — maybe way behind. This episode breaks down the three levels of being behind pace, how to diagnose the actual problem instead of panic-marketing your way into a deeper hole, and the strategic paths forward depending on how far off target you really are. Jeremy shares a daily pacing tracker template and explains why protecting future value sometimes matters more than saving today.KEY TOPICS COVERED- Why being 5% behind pace and 25% behind pace require completely different responses — and why most teams treat them the same- How to build and use a daily pacing tracker so you evaluate with data, not emotion- Why schedule context matters: weather, remaining inventory, weekend vs. weekday balance, and premium dates still ahead- The "diagnose before you prescribe" principle and why reacting before understanding the problem leads to wasted budget- Four root causes of falling behind: low awareness, weak positioning, struggling game types, or failed pre-season assumptions- Why clicks and website traffic don't pay bills — only ticket sales do- The 82% stat: most single-game buyers in MiLB don't return the following season, so there's no hidden reserve waiting to save you- Three strategic paths when you're behind: optimize the machine, get aggressive with concentrated impact, or protect the rest of the season- Why over-discounting trains fans to wait, destroys pricing power, and creates long-term problems- How growing your database and improving the fan experience can set up a stronger next season even when this one is tough- The difference between quitting and being strategic about what you can realistically recoverTIMESTAMPS[00:00] - Introduction: the uncomfortable moment when you realize you're behind pace[02:11] - Three buckets of behind pace: slightly behind, moderately behind, and the danger zone[04:22] - Why hoping isn't a strategy and the danger zone reality check (20-30%+ behind)[06:45] - Daily pacing trackers: how to build and use a spreadsheet that tells the truth[09:03] - Why daily tracking beats emotional or promo-by-promo evaluation[11:28] - Evaluating remaining inventory: schedule context, premium dates, and what's still ahead[13:50] - "You can't prescribe until you diagnose" — David Hass, Hickory NC, 2001[16:10] - Problem: positioning is weak — when you're getting clicks but not selling tickets[18:33] - Problem: your pre-season assumptions were wrong and the market responded differently[20:53] - The 82% stat on single-game buyer non-return and why you can't manufacture demand overnight[23:11] - Three strategic paths: optimize, get aggressive, or protect the season[25:26] - Why protecting margins and growing your database isn't quitting — it's leadership[27:47] - Main takeaways recap: pacing daily, diagnosing before reacting, concentrated impact[30:10] - Don't let panic destroy future value — the Chick-fil-A lesson on discounting[32:27] - Steve Robinson (Chick-fil-A CMO) interview reference, free pacing template offer, and closeCALL TO ACTION- Download the free daily pacing tracker template (link in show notes — no email required)- Listen to Jeremy's interview with Steve Robinson, the first CMO of Chick-fil-A: Episode 84 — Improving the Fan Experience the Chick-Fil-A Way with Steve RobinsonDaily Packer Tracker Download - Share the episode with someone in sports who's trying to sell more tickets and grow their fan base- Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifySports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

May 14, 2026Episode 16417 min

164 - The “Always / Never” Customer Service Starter List

Send us Fan MailIn this tactical follow-up episode, Jeremy Neisser breaks down how sports teams can create a more consistent fan experience by building a simple “Always Do” and “Never Do” customer service framework. Instead of chasing perfection, teams should focus on clarity, repeatability, and organization-wide adoption so every fan interaction feels easier, smoother, and more intentional.Key Topics CoveredWhy most teams do not have a customer service problem — they have a consistency problemHow inconsistency across departments quietly hurts ticket sales and fan growthWhy your list should be simple: 5–7 “Always Do” items and 5–7 “Never Do” itemsThe importance of same-day responses and clear next stepsWhy teams should assume fan confusion is the organization’s responsibility to fixHow “Know Before You Go” communication improves the fan experience before fans arriveCommon mistakes like making fans search for information, overcomplicating offers, or disappearing after the saleHow to embed the framework into staff training, meetings, game-day operations, and daily habitsTimestamps00:00 – Why consistency matters in the fan experience01:25 – Most teams have a consistency problem, not a service problem02:25 – Keep your Always/Never list simple and memorable03:52 – Always respond the same day04:51 – Always make it easier to do business with you06:17 – Always assume confusion is your fault08:35 – Always prepare fans before they arrive09:35 – Never make fans search for information10:32 – Never overcomplicate your offers11:00 – Never treat every fan the same12:27 – Never pass fans around or disappear after the sale13:20 – How to actually use the list with your team15:31 – The 30-minute challenge to build your own frameworkCall to ActionTake 30 minutes with your staff this week and build your own list: 5–7 things your team should always do, and 5–7 things your team should never do.If you need help creating your framework, schedule a free 30-minute call with Jeremy at Revelocity Sports.Episodes mentioned:154 - How to Make Your Groups Sales Page Easier to Buy From: LINKEpisode page - LINKSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

May 7, 2026Episode 16312 min

163 - Why Your Fan Experience Fails Without Consistency (And How to Fix It)

Send us Fan MailYour customer service problem isn't actually a people problem—it's a consistency problem. When fans get different experiences depending on who they interact with, they blame the organization, not the employee. This episode introduces the non-negotiables framework: simple "always do" and "never do" rules that eliminate guesswork and scale great service across your entire operation.KEY TOPICS COVERED• How inconsistency in fan interactions destroys ticket sales and repeat business• Why your best employee doesn't define your customer experience—your most inconsistent one does• The Cleveland Insight: John DeJulius's non-negotiables framework for scaling service without burnout• Why "always do" and "never do" rules work better than motivation, pizza parties, or lengthy policy manuals• Death by a thousand moments: how one bad interaction overrides five good ones• Why customer service isn't a department—it's an organization-wide responsibility• The direct connection between consistency and revenue: fans return when the experience feels smooth and effortless• Building your organization's always do and never do list: start with 5–7 rules, not 20• Specific always do rules for ticket sales teams: same-day responses, clear pricing, preparing fans before arrival• Specific never do rules: don't make fans search, don't overcomplicate offers, don't treat all fans identically• How to implement consistency at every touchpoint: parking, ticketing, concessions, guest services, sales calls• Testing your consistency: Does your fan experience change depending on who they talk to?TIMESTAMPS[00:00] – Episode introduction and topic preview[01:18] – The real problem: consistency vs. customer service[02:50] – Introduction to the Cleveland Insight and John DeJulius's framework[03:47] – What are non-negotiables? Always do and never do rules explained[04:30] – Why simple rules scale better than motivation or lengthy manuals[05:15] – How consistency shows up in staff speed and confidence[06:07] – Death by a thousand moments: fan experience as a series of touchpoints[06:35] – Why one bad moment overrides five good ones[07:00] – Customer service isn't a department—it's organization-wide[07:40] – The friction created when marketing, sales, and operations send different messages[08:00] – How consistency directly impacts repeat purchases and ticket sales[08:23] – The challenge: Is your experience dependent on who the fan talks to?[09:00] – Building your framework: start with 5–7 rules, not 50 pages[09:30] – Specific always do rules for ticket sales teams[10:10] – Specific never do rules across all departments[10:43] – Implementing always do and never do lists across ticketing, parking, concessions[11:30] – Preview of next episode with deeper examples and implementation guidanceLINKS Mentioned:John DiJuliusAlways Do/Never Do - YoutubeEpisode Link - https://revelocitysports.com/podcast/episode-163/Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

April 30, 2026Episode 16246 min

162 - How the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Increased Ticket Sales by 22% by Making It Easier to Buy

Send us Fan MailMost teams think they have a traffic problem… but it’s actually a buying experience problem. In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Brian Coe of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to break down how simplifying the ticket purchase process led to a 22% increase in sales and a 111% jump in conversions through FEVO. If you want more fans to actually complete their purchase, this is a must-listen.Key Topics Covered Why simplifying your buying process can outperform any marketing campaign How the Penguins increased ticket sales 22% overall and 111% through FEVO The power of keeping fans on your website instead of sending them off-platform Why fans care more about ease of purchase than platform or price How to use FEVO links across email, text, ads, and QR codes for better conversions Turning your website into a data hub (not just an information hub) How submission forms generated 120+ sales averaging $1,000+ each Why most teams lose sales by assuming fans “know where to go” Mobile-first buying behavior (75–80% of purchases happening on mobile) Where ticketing is heading: AI, frictionless checkout, and Amazon-style simplicity Timestamps00:00 – Why rethink the traditional ticket buying process 02:05 – How FEVO simplified group sales (and scaled it) 03:02 – Keeping fans on your website vs. sending them off-platform 05:08 – The hidden power of better data and customer tracking 07:42 – Before vs. after: the real impact on ticket sales 09:04 – 111% growth in FEVO purchases explained 09:58 – Do fans actually care where they buy tickets? 12:25 – Fees vs. convenience: what really matters 14:05 – Using FEVO links in ads and campaigns (7–8x ROI) 16:38 – Mobile optimization and tracking with UTMs 17:26 – Lead capture strategy: forms on every page 19:30 – Speed-to-lead: closing deals in real time 22:04 – Biggest mistakes teams make in their funnel 24:05 – What’s next: AI, Apple Pay, and frictionless checkout 26:21 – The future of group sales (self-serve experiences) 28:31 – Where teams should start today 30:19 – The future of ticketing: fast, seamless, integratedCall to ActionIf you want to sell more tickets without spending more on ads, start by auditing your buying experience. Then ask yourself: How many clicks does it take to buy?Links MentionedWilkes/Barres Scranton Penguins - LINKBrian Coe - LinkedInFEVO - LINKRevelocity Sports - LINKLink to episode: LINKSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

April 23, 2026Episode 16146 min

161 - Connected Marketing: What It Actually Looks Like with Tom Rupp

Send us Fan MailWhat does “connected marketing” actually mean for a sports team? In this episode, Jeremy Neisser is joined by Tom Rupp, co-founder of Revelocity Sports, to break down why so many teams feel stuck even when they’re doing good marketing—and how better integration between ticketing, email, paid media, and analytics can unlock smarter decisions and stronger revenue results. Together, they unpack what connected marketing looks like in the real world, where most teams are falling short, and what to fix first. Call to ActionFree mini digital audit designed to directionally show what’s working, what isn’t, and what to fix next - sign up HEREKey Topics Covered Why most teams hit a marketing ceiling even when they’re creating strong content and running solid campaigns What “connected marketing” really means: integration, automation, and visibility across your tools Why attribution is broken for many teams—and why multi-touch thinking matters more than ever How siloed reporting from Meta, Google, and other platforms leads teams to overestimate what’s working The crawl, walk, run framework for building a more connected marketing system Why pixel placement on your ticketing site is one of the simplest and highest-impact fixes a team can make How audience exclusions, segmentation, and personalized messaging can dramatically improve performance Why UTM tagging, synced ticketing data, and a unified reporting view are essential if you want to make smarter budget decisions What a digital audit can reveal about gaps, friction points, and missed revenue opportunities in your current setup Timestamps 00:00 – Jeremy introduces Tom Rupp and the idea of connected marketing 02:17 – Why teams struggle to see what’s actually driving ROI 03:49 – The technical challenge of accurate tracking and attribution 05:44 – What it means to truly connect your marketing systems 06:52 – Why siloed attribution creates misleading performance data 08:07 – Why impressions and clicks are not enough 09:33 – The role of audience segmentation and personalized messaging 11:12 – How AI is helping teams create more tailored marketing content 13:22 – What Meta’s creative evolution means for sports marketers 15:00 – Crawl, walk, run: a practical framework for marketing maturity 16:51 – Why pixel placement and cross-domain tracking matter so much 18:58 – How automation and retargeting can improve campaign performance 20:19 – Using ticketing data to build smarter audiences 22:48 – Moving from marketing doer to marketing director 24:16 – What connected marketing makes possible in the future 29:02 – Why fan value and better visibility change how you spend 30:19 – The case for measurable personalization 33:45 – What a digital audit actually looks at 37:20 – The free mini audit and what teams can expect 41:04 – The first things teams should check right away 42:11 – How to evaluate vendor partners based on business impactLinks mentioned: Revelocity Sports - LINKSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

April 16, 2026Episode 16013 min

160 - Exciting News: Sports Marketing Machine Has Merged with Revelocity (And What It Means for Your Marketing)

Send us Fan MailBig news—Sports Marketing Machine has officially joined forces with Revelocity Sports. But this episode isn’t just about the merger… it’s about what it unlocks for you. Jeremy breaks down why the best teams aren’t just running promotions and ads—they’re building connected marketing systems that drive more ticket sales, better decisions, and stronger fan engagement.Key Topics Covered The big announcement: why Sports Marketing Machine joined Revelocity Sports Why most sports teams are running disconnected marketing tactics The difference between “busy marketing” and revenue-driving systems How connecting your ads, email, data, and CRM unlocks better results Why automation creates space for strategy instead of constant execution The role of personalization and fan data in driving engagement and sales How top teams are building systems that generate momentum over time What this partnership means for future insights, strategies, and case studies Timestamps00:00 — Big announcement: SMM joins Revelocity Sports 01:24 — The mission: helping teams sell more tickets and grow their fan base 02:48 — Why traditional strategies still work (but aren’t enough alone) 03:46 — The shift: from tactics to connected marketing systems 05:12 — Disconnected vs. system-driven teams 06:08 — How automation changes the role of marketing leaders 07:33 — Creating space for strategy and long-term planning 08:02 — What stood out about Revelocity Sports 08:24 — Shared mission: helping teams and communities thrive 09:21 — Data, personalization, and smarter fan communication 10:48 — What this means for the future of the podcast 12:13 — Developing staff and reducing turnover through education 13:08 — Closing thoughts and what’s ahead Call to ActionIf you’ve been focused on improving individual tactics—your ads, your emails, your promotions—this episode will challenge you to think bigger. Start looking at how everything connects. Because that’s where the real growth happens.And if you’ve been listening to the podcast, get ready—this next chapter is all about bringing you deeper insights, smarter strategies, and real-world examples you can apply immediately.Links mentioned: Revelocity Sports - LINKSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine