"King of NIL" Rayquan Smith on How to Market Yourself with Hustle

For Norfolk State track and field star Rayquan Smith (@rayquansmith), his throne as the self-proclaimed “King of the NIL” was earned through a strong self-worth, and ability to navigate rejection and keep running forward. Listen to this interview with the sports entrepreneur to learn about personal branding, being more than a student athlete, and profiting from name, image, and likeness (NIL).

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CHAPTERS:
[01:57] - Inking First NIL Deal
[04:32] - Partnership with Bubba’s 33
[08:19] - Creating TikToks at Norfolk State
[22:48] - Getting An Agent
[33:58] - Advice for Small Market Athletes

Rayquan Smith is a Restaurant Influencer —

Labeling yourself the “King” of anything is ambitious, to say the least. For Norfolk State student athlete Rayquan Smith (@rayquansmith), being the “King of the NIL” was earned through an relentless belief in self and the ability to deal with hearing “no” until you hear “yes.”

“I don’t really care about rejection,” Rayquan “King of NIL” Smith says on the Restaurant Influencers podcast hosted by Shawn P. Walchef of https://calibbq.media. “Everybody gets rejected. And rejection is not a no.”

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That perseverance and determination is what has led Rayquan Smith to nearly 80 deals with various businesses ranging from local companies to big ones like Eastbay and Champ Sports, and the restaurant company Bubba’s 33. That’s all despite being an athlete at a small college with an enrollment just north of 5,000 students.

NIL stands for Name, Image, Likeness. It refers to the ways student athletes can now profit from their personal brand.

The NCAA passed a rule saying that college players, notoriously unable to monetize their personal brand as student athletes previously, were now able to earn money based on endorsements using any of the three NIL elements.

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The question is how did the NIL master manage to land such a large number of sponsorship deals being a student athlete at a small college?

As Rayquan simply states, “the big time athletes ain't always the good people to partner with.” He views the small market as an asset for athletes and encourages them to take advantage of it like he did.

Rayquan Smith is probably not a name most know upon first hearing, but it is one you should get to know. At an early age, he has found an effective way to market himself, and help others do the same. He definitely doesn’t plan to stop here.

As he grows and moves on past college, he is eager to pass the torch to the next King of NIL.

EPISODE LINKS:
Rayquan Smith Merch Site: www.kingofnil.com
Rayquan Smith Instagram: www.instagram.com/rayquansmith
Rayquan Smith on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rayquansmith23

ABOUT Rayquan Smith (@rayquansmith):
Rayquan Smith is a former football player and current track and field decathlon athlete at Norfolk State University. With more than 70 NIL deals to his credit, Smith has earned the self-proclaimed title as King of NIL (name, image, and likeness). He is an advocate for other athletes in small markets and educates others on how to land more deals with brands while also being financially responsible.
ABOUT Restaurant Influencers Podcast:
Welcome to the Restaurant Influencers podcast and video series. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn P. Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with leaders about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling and how to show up and engage where customers are spending time online. https://restaurantinfluencers.media

• Published by Entrepreneur Media - https://entreprenuer.com
• Produced by Cali BBQ Media - https://content.calibbq.media

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