The truth about statistics
Good morning. Don't get lost in the numbers.
About a month ago, I went on a deep dive into our newsletter numbers and got frustrated. I had watched our open rate drop from approximately 54% to around 38%.
At first, I thought that fewer people were reading the newsletter, but then after some deep breaths and a little more digging and reflecting, I realized a few things:
Subscriber rates ebb and flow. In our case, the number of people subscribing to our newsletter had gone up. So while our open rate (percentage of subscribers opening our newsletter each week) had gone down, the physical number of people reading it each week had gone up. A win in our book!
The open rate percentage was still way above market average. The average sports newsletter has an open rate of 24.57%. So even though our open rate was "down," we were still doing well.
Numbers don't equal a connection with our audience. I was getting caught up in the statistics weeds and was at risk of losing sight of the most important thing: our audience. This hyper-focus on the numbers meant that I was spending more time looking at numbers and less time focusing on other things, like writing.
To all of my fellow writers, project managers, leaders, etc., remember to step back from the numbers and evaluate your content for alignment with your company's mission and vision.
If you have questions or need help with this process, reach out to us at info@cgsportsmanagement.com.
Enjoy your Wednesday!
-- Taylor and the CG Sports Co team
OTHER BIG NEWS THIS WEEK:
Catch up with Olivia Carter and her blog "Born 2 Fly!"
P.S. Nervous about missing upcoming news from CG Sports? Follow us on Instagram (@cgsportsco), Facebook (CG Sports Management), and, of course, our weekly newsletter.
Olympians Elizabeth Beisel and Cody Miller served swimmers of Nebraska and western Iowa at a swim clinic this past weekend. Swimmers came out to the Midwestern Swimming Swimposiumto listen to the two speak.
Beisel explained to the press, "I used to sit in the stands and listen to Olympians talk. The fact that I come full circle and I am one of those Olympians, talking to them, giving them tips about their swimming. It just goes to show that anyone can do it."
Katie Grimes was one of several Team USA Olympic athletes that Ralph Lauren invited to the luxury box at the U.S. Open earlier this month. Ralph Lauren is the current official outfitter of Team USA and has been since 2008.
Grimes' appearance at the U.S. Open was the first time that she had seen tennis live. When speaking to the press, she said, "It’s a certain thing that I’m going to Paris but there’s no breather for me. I need to be prepared physically and mentally.”
Tips on How to Work with Our Creative Team
One of the most valuable things we offer our clients is access to the talented creative team at CG Sports! Knowing how to get the most out of a creative team takes practice, experience and knowing how to communicate.
The best creative is made when a client can bring two things to the table:
1. A clear idea in their own head of what the design should look like.
2. The ability to clearly communicate exactly what the final creative should look and feel like. It's the latter that takes practice.
But no one ever teaches clients this!
Until now...
As someone who has worked with many talented designers over the past 10 years, here are the top tips you need to know before your first design meeting:
1. The Creation Phase: The creation phase is sacred time between the designer and you. You are trying to explain what's in your head, while the designer is trying to learn your communication style. During the creation phase I try to work with the designer strictly 1-1 with no input from anyone else. The drafts, revisions, edits and improvements are only seen by myself + the creative team.
2. One to One relationship: To me this is the fun part. You are the Creator. They are the Designer. Together as a 1:1 team, you can make magic. A designer is only as good as a creator's ability to communicate what is in her head. This just takes practice. But don't ruin it by bringing in the ideas of others during this early process.
3. Trust: The designer is figuring you out and learning your style. You are learning how to communicate what’s in your head. During this phase, I rarely share mock-ups with others (almost never). I’ve found that while others may have input, their POV isn’t as valuable because they're not “in the arena” with me and the designer.
Visit "Cejih Explains" online to read the remaining three steps to working with our creative team. We look forward to seeing what you create.
Paralympian McKenzie Coan slayed at New York Fashion Week 2023! Coan represented Adidas on the runway and posted the following "Thank you" on her Instagram after the event:
"Thank you so much @runwayofdreams @mindyscheier and @adidas for this incredible opportunity! I’m truly honored to represent adidas and see all they do to bring inclusivity and creativity to life in adaptive fashions!"
Inside Tracker
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Founded in 2009, InsideTracker has developed technology that analyzes multiple factors (blood, DNA, lifestyle, etc.) to provide personalized recommendations for nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle. Extreme personalization is the future and InsideTracker wants to support you as you life your best life.
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Champion's Mojo, Episode #227: "College Swimmer Straight to Masters: James Pokornowski"
Are you too young to become master swimmer? Join us as we chat with the inspiring James Popronowski, a competitive swimmer who jumped straight from college swimming to masters swimming. James, with his masters gold medal in the 1500 freestyle long course and an unwavering commitment to maintaining his swimming routine post-college, offers compelling insights into the dedication and passion that fuels his success.
This conversation takes us on a dive into James’s journey, from his childhood swimming experiences to his triumph in the Masters Swim program. We uncover the influential role that his parents and club coach played in guiding him towards the competitive swimming arena. Listen in and get a rare peek into James’s training regime and his motivation. His love for the swimming community and the sport itself shines through, offering an inspiring perspective on the world of master swimming. Join us for a powerful conversation that is sure to inspire all swimming enthusiasts and aspiring champions. Never say "retire"!
Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com.
