You know that old saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life?” There are few better ways to love what you do than to play your favorite games for a living. Though this might seem like a pipe dream, it is actually reality for esports professionals, and it can be the truth for you when you launch your own esports organization. Esports professionals seek out sponsors and compete in national or international video game tournaments for lucrative prizes.
It’s important to note, however, that the old adage about “never having to work a day in your life” is a bit simplified, to say the least. No matter how much you love esports, it will take effort to launch a successful esports organization, secure sponsors, and gain a following. Here are some tips to launch a successful esports organization in the industry today:
Create a Business Plan
Creating a business plan may sound dry and tedious, but if you want your game to become your business, it’s necessary. Start with a mission or vision statement at the top. Why do you want to start an esports organization? What makes your esports organization stand out? From there, plot out how to make that a reality. You should also forecast the revenue you can realistically expect to make, create profit and loss margins, and form a budget. Though you may win money from tournaments, likely most of your income will come from sponsorships. How will you attract or reach out to sponsors? What would your pitch be?
Build a Reputation
Your branding should be secured with IP protections prior to starting your team. This will help you build your reputation and prevent other teams from copying you. It may be tempting to postpone this expense, but it is a big mistake. The Garcia-Zamor attorneys can help you secure your branding so that all of your efforts to create a following don’t get taken by your competition.
It will be difficult to secure sponsors if you aren’t on anyone’s radar. To be a successful esports team, you will need to gain a reputation. Start small and manageable and build up. You can focus on one particular game until you stand out among players of that game. Find local or regional competitions and make sure your team is frequently on the roster. Eventually, once you’ve become a big name in your region, you can attract national competitions and — hopefully, sponsorships. Setting up a Twitch stream where you can play together when not competing will also give you some exposure.
Develop — and Protect — Your IP
By the time you’re competing, your esports organization probably has a unique name. As your brand grows, you may want to make a logo or sell specific merch in order to help your team to stand out. Branding can be a great help for that reputation and gaining the attention of sponsors. But it’s equally important to protect your brand and any other IP. You may need to register trademarks to ensure that none of your competition encroaches on your brand. The best way to protect your IP will be to hire an intellectual property legal team who can help you register all the protections you require and defend them if need be.
Garcia-Zamor has over two decades of combined experience in the sphere of IP law, and we love helping gamers find success in their esports team. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or to schedule a free consultation.
