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“Whoa, you’re employed in golf media?” the energetic mid-handicapper asks me as I apply my putts. “That is obtained to be absolutely the dream job.”
Such was my life because the Instruction Editor at a significant legacy golf publication. Golfers of all skills fawned over my occupation — and made certain they squeezed out as many ideas as doable anytime I used to be close to them on a driving vary.
I keep in mind first taking the gig over two years in the past and telling my spouse that this might be the position that led me to fulfill Tiger Woods. I used to be kind of simply joking after I mentioned it, after which it truly occurred when I discovered myself hitting balls on a driving vary subsequent to the 15-time main champ and his son, Charlie Woods.
Along with a really nervy vary session subsequent to Tiger and his son, the job provided loads of different perks. However whereas I used to be gaining recognition because the “face and voice of the common golfer,” creating content material that the on a regular basis participant might relate to, I simply felt…unfulfilled.
Regardless of main the model to the No. 1-ranked golf website within the Instruction class, I craved one thing extra, and this so-called dream job simply wasn’t in a position to fill that void for me any longer.
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So, regardless of having a 14-month-old daughter, an costly mortgage, and being married to a spouse who’s been down this entrepreneurial highway with me earlier than (Spoiler: It did not go as deliberate), I risked all of it to launch my very own golf media model: Rainmakers Golf Membership.
That is the place the truth of being an entrepreneur contrasts with the dream of turning into one.
How Do I Stand Out From the Crowd?
Golf instruction has at all times been about making an attempt to imitate perfection — you learn or view a 60-second tip on-line after which go apply it. However I promise you, with none actual suggestions, most mid-handicappers aren’t enhancing by watching a membership professional hit off good grass in good situations.
That is the place Rainmakers is available in, leaning into that complete “face and voice of the common golfer” factor I discussed earlier.
Whereas we do supply among the conventional educational content material from PGA gamers like Xander Schauffele and Cameron Younger, in addition to high golf academics, our predominant franchise is a 3-hole problem that pairs me with a high instructor or golfer to behave as my lifeline for every shot.
So, as a substitute of only a quick-fix tip, Rainmakers gives relatable content material from conditions that golfers expertise on the course.
Along with our personal content material creation, Rainmakers additionally acts as a media company, the place we align with golf manufacturers to strategize and ship their content material – all whereas leveraging our viewers and relationships within the golf area.
That is what helps differentiate us from different golf media manufacturers: Relationships.
From my time in my earlier position, I developed lifelong connections which have led to connections with among the greatest golf academics, most recognizable manufacturers, and high programs world wide. And whereas I discover myself pitching them on methods to collaborate in a different way now, it is helped ignite this Little Engine That May extra rapidly than I might have imagined.
“Hey Siri, Describe the First 2 Months”: A Grind.
After an unceremonious departure from my position in early December, there was no time to recharge the batteries or rejoice the subsequent chapter — it was time to get to work.
On the primary day because the “CEO” of Rainmakers, I emailed not less than 20 individuals and texted or known as one other 100, telling them about my determination and new enterprise. On day two, it was a lot the identical, reintroducing myself to contacts I had beforehand labored with to gauge their curiosity in doing so once more.
By day three, there have been already three conferences, and by days 4 and 5, I had a handful of proposals out to manufacturers, with extra conferences lined up following the vacations.
Momentum was on my facet within the first week of operating this firm. However within the iconic phrases of an idol of mine, Kobe Bryant, “job’s not completed.“
Getting conferences reassures your determination, however getting offers validates your determination.
About one month after launching my model, I obtained my first shopper, a apply membership known as PureOne, which is a clubface that is 50 p.c smaller and reinforces the basics of creating center-face contact.
It was official: Rainmakers was now an actual enterprise, main me to rent just a few freelancers to assist develop a model into one thing greater than some YouTube channel with a 40-year-old dad who’s making an attempt to be a golf influencer.
Within the weeks which have adopted, I’ve continued conversations with among the greatest manufacturers in golf. Throughout the newest PGA Present in Orlando, an icon within the golf area approached me to inform me he wished to speak about working collectively — a pinch-me second that also hasn’t fairly resonated. And more just lately, Rainmakers solidified a partnership with Athlon Sports activities — a high sports activities writer with a golf-specific publication of 130K subscribers. Every of our revealed articles will characteristic authentic Rainmakers video content material from our YouTube web page, offering an exponential worth proposition alongside a legacy sports activities platform.
So was the chance price taking? Solely time will inform, however we’re already at an thrilling part, hiring content material creators to develop our neighborhood and act as an extension of the model — offering us with extra expertise to interact audiences and types — setting us up for issues like occasions, podcasts, and dwell streams.
Like Ryan Serhant says: “Enlargement. All the time, in all methods.”
Whereas earlier enterprise concepts failed as a consequence of lack of funds, worry of dedication, or lack of curiosity, relating to Rainmakers, I am extra motivated and fulfilled than ever earlier than, targeted on constructing an entertaining, informative, participating, and provoking model that golfers can relate with.
Nick Dimengo is the founder and CEO of Rainmakers Golf Membership. He could be reached at nick@rainmakersgolf.com.