Leah Clapper, a University of Florida gymnast, is taking a deep dive into her NIL deal experiences. In this video, Lead shares what it was like to pitch a brand deal to Just Salad versus receiving a brand deal from BSN Sports.
Looking for specific advice about NIL branding and deals? Use the listed timestamps below to navigate through the video’s topics.
0:00 – Intro: Breaking down two different NIL deals (pitched vs. inbound)
0:19 – Key message: Every NIL deal is different — and not always smooth
0:44 – Why I chose to pitch to Just Salad
1:36 – Doing brand research before reaching out
2:53 – Crafting a cold DM pitch that gets noticed
3:50 – What I include to add credibility and stand out
5:14 – Email follow-up and building the pitch with media assets
7:00 – What I include on my website and media kit to showcase my brand
9:39 – Why I don’t share my rates publicly (and what I sent instead)
11:26 – Campaign timeline, contract, and creative process
12:47 – Behind-the-scenes: content approvals and revisions
13:36 – Inbound offer: NIL deal from BSN Sports
14:00 – Importance of having a visible business email
14:50 – How I vet brands and spot red flags
15:33 – What made this pitch feel legit and personalized
16:54 – Reviewing campaign details and why I was interested
17:39 – Talking rates, deliverables, and setting up a call
18:20 – Positioning myself with value instead of just price
19:22 – Final offer: $2,500 for a single Instagram Reel
20:34 – Role of my agent in reviewing and finalizing the deal
21:40 – Final takeaways: NIL deals take time, effort, and strategy
22:26 – Advice: Know your worth, lead with value, and stay professional
