Start Here: Who You Are and Why You're Here

• Which of these best describes your role in this conversation? Options: College athlete, Parent / Guardian, Athletic department compliance officer, Brand marketing manager, Agent / Representative, Other
• Please tell us your name, team/school, and preferred pronouns.
• What's the primary reason you're exploring NIL opportunities right now? Options: Recent performance or visibility spike, A brand reached out directly, Athletic department asked us to use a vetted platform, Looking to generate supplemental income, Planning long-term brand strategy, Other
• How confident are you today in understanding compliance, contract, and tax implications for NIL deals? Options: Very confident, Somewhat confident, I know basics but not details, Confused / overwhelmed, Prefer not to say
• In one sentence, what outcome would make engaging with a NIL platform feel worth your time?

Who's Really Calling the Shots?

• If a deal needed a firm yes-or-no, who usually holds the final veto — and why does that role carry the weight?
• Select all stakeholders who will need to approve or be informed about a typical deal. Options: Athlete, Parent/Guardian, Head coach, Position coach, Athletic department compliance office, Director of athletics, Conference office, Brand legal/marketing, Agent/rep, Other
• Which stakeholder typically signs the contract or gives formal authorization? Options: Athlete alone, Athlete + Parent/Guardian, Athlete + Agent/Rep, Athlete + Compliance Officer, Institution signs on behalf, Brand/Platform handles contract signature
• How do decision rights typically divide between financial terms (price), compliance, and creative control? Options: Athlete controls all three, Parents/agent control financials; athlete creative, Compliance controls approval; athlete/brand negotiate terms, Brand controls creative; athlete/parents handle financials, Other
• Tell us about the last time a stakeholder either advanced or blocked a deal — what changed and why?

School & Family: Allies, Gatekeepers, or Unknowns?

• What would actually happen to this opportunity if your school or family said 'no' tomorrow?
• Which institutional approvals are required before a deal can proceed? Options: Compliance office approval, Athletic director sign-off, Coach notification, Conference approval, No institutional approval required, Unsure
• Have you previously requested institutional approval for an NIL opportunity? If so, what was the outcome? Options: Yes — approved, Yes — denied, Yes — informal OK but no paperwork, No — never asked, Unsure
• How involved do your parents/guardians want to be in deal review and approvals? Options: Hands-on for everything, Review financial/legal items only, Sign off only when required, Trust me to handle it, No parents/guardians involved
• Are there existing institutional or conference rules we should know about (e.g., restricted categories, payout limits, timing restrictions)? Please list specifics.

Deadlines That Make or Break an Opportunity

• Which upcoming dates or events — games, recruiting windows, exams, or sponsor timelines — would cause you to accept or decline an offer immediately?
• Which of these best describes the timeline you prefer from offer to payout for a standard deal? Options: 48–72 hours, 1 week, 2–4 weeks, 1–3 months, Depends on complexity
• Are there non-negotiable windows where you cannot participate in promotions (e.g., in-season restrictions, postseason blackout)? Options: Yes — in-season only, Yes — postseason blackout, Yes — recruiting windows, No restrictions, Unsure
• How much schedule flexibility do you realistically have if a brand requests a quick turnaround? Options: Highly flexible, Somewhat flexible, Limited — needs advance notice, No flexibility
• If a high-value opportunity arrived with a tight deadline, what would be the top three internal steps that must happen before you could say yes?

If Everyone Celebrated Next Month, What Would They Say?

• What would a successful outcome look like for you (athlete) one month after the first campaign? Options: Met income goal, Grew followers/engagement, Built long-term brand relationship, Positive local/institutional recognition, No eligibility or compliance concerns, Other
• What would the compliance officer be celebrating if the program went perfectly? Options: Zero eligibility issues, Complete audit trail, Speed of approvals, Clear policy adherence, Minimal administrative overhead
• What metrics or signals would a brand want to see to call the collaboration a win? Options: Impressions/reach, Engagement rate, Direct sales/trackable conversions, Content quality/brand fit, Audience demo match, Other
• Please rank the top three priorities for this engagement. Options: Compliance / eligibility preservation, Immediate income, Audience growth / exposure, Brand alignment / reputation, Simplicity of process, Long-term partnerships
• Write the one-sentence headline you’d love to see after launch (e.g., “Athlete X secures compliant partnership that generated Y results”).

Hidden Deal-Breakers: What Would Make You Walk Away?

• If the money looked attractive but one condition conflicted with your values or future plans, what would that condition be?
• Which of these are absolute deal-breakers for you? Options: Exclusivity preventing other opportunities, Conflicts with team or sponsor contracts, Content that risks reputation, Long-term usage rights we can't control, Unclear payment timing, Excessive legal liability
• Have you or your institution encountered a clause in a past contract that caused serious concern? Please describe.
• How do you evaluate brand reputation and long-term fit before saying yes? Options: Personal research, Coach/parent advice, Platform vetting, Agent/legal review, I rely on gut instinct
• Would you require indemnities, insurance, or a compliance warranty from the platform or brand? If yes, please specify. Options: Yes — indemnity for eligibility issues, Yes — insurance for events/appearances, Yes — audit rights on campaign use, No, Unsure

How Approvals, Communication, and Paperwork Actually Flow

• When an offer arrives, who do you want notified first and why? Options: Athlete, Parent/Guardian, Agent/Rep, Compliance Officer, Coach, Other
• Which communication channels work best for approvals and quick decisions? Options: Platform notifications / task list, Email, Phone call / text, Shared folder (Google/Drive), In-person meeting
• Which documents must be completed or obtained before signing (select all that apply)? Options: Institutional approval letter, Signed contract, Tax forms (W‑9/W‑8), Image release form, Proof of insurance (if appearance), Background check (if required)
• Who will be responsible for uploading and maintaining required paperwork on the platform? Options: Athlete, Parent/Guardian, Agent/Rep, Compliance office, Platform support team, Other
• Estimate typical turnaround time for each step: offer → institutional approval → contract signature → payment. If unknown, say so.

Readiness Signals — What's Needed to Say Yes

• If one major obstacle disappeared today, would you be ready to launch within 48 hours, a week, a month, or longer? Options: 48 hours, 1 week, 2–4 weeks, 1–3 months, Longer / not ready
• Which of these supports would most accelerate your ability to approve deals? Options: One-page compliance summary, Parent/guardian briefing, Tax consultation, Contract review by platform/legal, Valuation guidance, Dedicated onboarding session
• Do you have payment or tax setup blockers we should know about (e.g., no bank account, SSN/TIN concerns, international payment issues)? Options: Yes — banking setup needed, Yes — tax ID / paperwork needed, Yes — international payment constraints, No blockers, Prefer to discuss privately
• Who on your side needs training or a walkthrough of the platform before you can move forward? Options: Athlete, Parent/Guardian, Compliance Officer, Agent/Rep, Coach, Brand contact, No one
• What remaining questions or concerns, if addressed, would unlock a decision to proceed?

Start here — Who's in this story?

• Which role best describes you for this conversation? Options: College athlete, Parent/guardian, Athletic department compliance officer, Brand/marketing manager, Agent/representative, Other
• If you’re an athlete or parent: what sport and school should we reference? If you’re a compliance officer or brand, what institution/organization?
• How were you most recently brought into NIL activity—did a brand reach out, did you initiate outreach, or was it institutional policy? Options: Brand approached directly, Athlete/rep reached out to brands, Introduced by a teammate/peer, Required/endorsed by athletic department, Other
• Who else is typically involved when you evaluate or sign a deal? (select all that apply) Options: Athlete alone, Parent/guardian, Agent/representative, Athletic compliance officer, School legal counsel, Brand rep, Other
• Tell us briefly about a recent NIL moment you were part of (a post, appearance, or deal). What happened and how did it feel?

What does your NIL day-to-day actually look like?

• When someone says “how are you managing NIL right now?” what would surprise them about the way you actually do it?
• How many active or completed NIL agreements have you been involved with in the last 12 months? Options: 0, 1–3, 4–10, 11–25, 25+
• Which tools or systems do you currently use to track deals, approvals, and payments? Options: Spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets), Email threads only, Contract repo (Dropbox/Drive), Third-party NIL platform, School-provided system, None
• Walk us through the typical steps from offer to payment in your current process—who sends what, who reviews, and where it usually stalls?
• How consistently are deal terms documented in writing before the activity occurs? Options: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, Rarely, Never

Where the rulebook blurs — compliance in practice

• Which part of compliance feels most like a landmine that you’re nervous about triggering? Options: Eligibility risk (NCAA rules), School-specific restrictions, Conference rules, Brand category conflicts, Agent/third-party involvement, Other
• Who is responsible for securing institutional approval before a deal moves forward, and how do they communicate it? Options: Athlete/parent, Agent/rep, Compliance officer, Brand submits to school directly, No one currently ensures approval
• How long does institutional or compliance approval normally take in your experience? Options: Less than 24 hours, 1–3 business days, 4–10 business days, More than 10 business days, Never sought/unknown
• Have you ever had a deal paused, altered, or rejected for compliance reasons? Describe what happened and the consequences.
• Do you have clear, written guidance from your school (or conference) about what’s allowed—if so, where is it stored? Options: Yes — central compliance portal, Yes — PDF/policy document, Informal guidance via email, No formal guidance, Not sure

Money, taxes, and the moment you woke up to it

• If the IRS asked you to explain last year’s NIL income right now, how confident would you be in your answer? Options: Completely confident, Somewhat confident, Unsure, Not confident at all
• How is NIL income currently reported and received for you or the athletes you manage? Options: Payments to athlete directly (W-9/SSN), Payments to parent/guardian, Payments to an LLC/Entity, Brand handles payment via 1099 to athlete, Cash/other informal payments, Not sure
• Have you received tax forms (1099-MISC/NEC, etc.) or year-end summaries for NIL earnings before? If yes, describe which ones. Options: 1099-NEC/1099-MISC, W-2, No forms received, Received but unsure which
• Do you or the athlete currently pay estimated taxes or work with an accountant who handles self-employment tax questions? Options: Yes — accountant handles, Yes — we make estimated payments ourselves, No — not currently doing either, Unsure
• Describe any tax surprises or penalties you’ve experienced (or fears you have) related to NIL income.

Contracts: signed, stored, or forgotten?

• Who typically drafts the contract language you sign—and how often do you change it before signing? Options: Brand drafts and athlete signs, Agent/rep drafts, School/legal counsel drafts, Template we reuse, No formal contract—verbal agreement
• Do your contracts consistently include essential terms like deliverables, usage windows, payment schedule, termination, and IP rights? Options: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, Rarely, Never
• Has anyone on your team ever negotiated clauses like moral clauses, exclusivity, or indemnity on your behalf? Tell us an example.
• Where are executed contracts stored and who can access them? Options: Central cloud repository with access controls, Personal device/email only, Athletic department system, Agent/rep stores them, Not stored/unknown
• Have you ever faced a dispute over a contract (payment, deliverable, or misuse of content)? How was it resolved?

Risks you know and those you don’t — the blind spots

• Which consequence would worry you most if it happened tomorrow: losing eligibility, unexpected tax bill, reputational damage, or legal exposure? Options: Losing eligibility, Unexpected tax bill, Reputational damage, Legal exposure/contract claim, Data/privacy breach
• Have there been any flagged incidents, investigations, or informal warnings involving you (or an athlete you manage) related to NIL? Options: Yes — formal investigation, Yes — informal warning, No incidents, Prefer not to say
• How do you currently assess whether a brand partnership could create a conflict with school affiliations, existing sponsors, or NCAA rules? Options: Checklist or rubric, Compliance officer review, Ad hoc judgment, No formal assessment, Other
• What privacy or data concerns do you have when sharing athlete contact, tax, or bank details with brands or platforms?
• Rate how prepared you feel to respond to a sudden compliance audit or brand dispute (0 = not prepared, 10 = fully prepared). Options: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

If we could patch one leak tomorrow — priorities and next steps

• If you had to pick one thing to fix immediately—compliance approvals, contract standardization, tax setup, or payment reliability—which would it be? Options: Compliance approvals, Contract standardization, Tax setup/documentation, Payment processing and traceability, Education/ongoing training
• What would success look like for that fix in 30 days? Be specific (e.g., ‘every deal pre-approved in 48 hours’, ‘all athletes have W-9s submitted’).
• Which documents or examples would you be willing to share to help us understand your current state? (select all that apply) Options: Sample contract, Compliance approval email/process, Tax summary/1099 redacted, Deal tracking spreadsheet, No documents to share
• How quickly could your team implement a change if we proposed a compliance-backed workflow and a single source of truth for contracts and payments? Options: Immediately, Within 1–2 weeks, Within a month, 3 months+, Unsure
• Is there anything else—anxiety, hope, or constraint—we should know now to shape a practical first step for you?

Tell Us About Your Spotlight Moment

• How did you first gain visibility that is driving NIL interest right now? Options: Athletic performance, Social media growth, Viral moment, Brand outreach, Coach/department referral, Other
• Which role best describes you in this conversation? Options: Student-athlete, Parent/guardian, Athletic compliance officer, Brand marketer, Agent/representative, Other
• Which sport, division/conference, and year (e.g., Sophomore) are you representing?
• Roughly what is your combined audience reach across social platforms? Options: <5k, 5k–25k, 25k–100k, 100k–500k, 500k+
• What is your primary motivation for pursuing NIL right now? Options: Supplement income, Build long-term brand, Prepare for pro career, Support family, Community engagement, Other
• How soon would you like to execute your first deal? Options: Immediately / within 2 weeks, Within a month, 1–3 months, 3+ months, Unsure

What’s Coming Apart Behind the Scenes?

• Are you confident every current or proposed NIL opportunity is preserving eligibility and avoiding institutional risk? Options: Completely confident, Mostly confident, Unsure, Not confident
• Tell us about any past compliance flags, warnings, or investigations you've experienced — what happened and what was the outcome?
• Who at your school or program currently reviews or approves NIL deals? Options: Compliance office, Head coach, Athletic director, Self / family, No one, Other
• How are approvals and compliance documentation stored today? Options: Paper forms, Email chains, Shared drive/Google, Institution portal, No formal documentation, Other
• Which aspects of compliance feel most confusing or risky to you right now?
• How often does uncertainty about rules delay or cancel potential deals? Options: Almost always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never

Where Money Meets Mistakes

• What would happen to you (eligibility, finances, reputation) if a single payment or missed tax filing triggered a penalty you couldn't absorb? Options: I'd risk eligibility, I'd owe tax penalties, I'd need family support, I'd pause NIL activity, I don't know
• Who currently helps you with tax guidance and filings related to NIL income? Options: Family member, CPA / tax preparer, Agent/Advisor, I handle it, No one yet
• Do you have a bank or payout account established for NIL payments, and who controls that account? Options: Athlete personal account, Parent/guardian account, Institution-managed account, Third-party payroll provider, Not set up yet
• How familiar are you with 1099s, self-employment taxes, and possible state withholding on NIL income? Options: Very familiar, Somewhat familiar, Heard of them, Not familiar at all
• What typical deal values would you consider fair compensation for your content or appearance? Options: <$500, $500–$2k, $2k–$10k, $10k–$50k, $50k+
• Describe any past payment issues you've experienced (late payments, wrong payee, missing tax docs).

Who’s Really Making Decisions?

• If a brand sent a signed offer tonight, who actually has the final say — and what would make that person decline it?
• Which stakeholders must sign off before a deal is executed? Options: Athlete, Parent/guardian, Compliance office, Coach, Agent/representative, Legal counsel, Brand
• How do parents or guardians typically influence contract terms, timing, or payout handling?
• What approval timelines does your school or conference require (if any)? Options: Same day, 48 hours, 1 week, Varies by institution, No clear timeline, I don't know
• Describe a time when brand expectations and compliance requirements conflicted — what was the trade‑off and outcome?

How We'll Know This Was Worth It

• Six months after a campaign, what evidence would prove this was the right path for you?
• Which of these outcomes are you primarily chasing with NIL deals? (select all that apply) Options: Immediate income, Long-term brand growth, Follower engagement, Experience / portfolio building, Future pro endorsements, Community impact, Other
• What metrics do you currently track or want tracked to measure campaign success? Options: Follower count, Engagement rate (likes/comments), Impressions, Click-throughs to sponsor, Direct messages/leads, None tracked
• How much reputational or brand-fit risk are you willing to accept (e.g., alcohol, edgy brands, political content)? Options: No risk—strict alignment only, Limited risk with approval, Open to most brands, Unsure / need guidance
• If a deal increases short-term income but reduces future endorsement appeal, how would you weigh that trade-off? Options: Choose safety for long-term value, Take short-term income for growth, Depends on deal size, Unsure

The Deal Mechanics You're Missing

• Do you know which contract clauses would protect you from being overexposed, underpaid, or losing rights to your image? Options: Yes, I understand key clauses, Somewhat — I know a few, Not really
• Which contract elements matter most to you? (pick up to 3) Options: Compensation amount, Payment schedule, Usage rights/term, Exclusivity, Liability/indemnity, Termination/approval clauses, Deliverables/number of posts
• How familiar are you with content usage rights, license duration, and geography restrictions? Options: Very familiar, Somewhat familiar, Not familiar
• Would you prefer standardized platform templates for speed or lawyer-reviewed custom contracts for larger deals? Options: Platform templates, Lawyer-reviewed custom, Mix depending on deal, Unsure
• Who should be accountable for compliance checks and recordkeeping on each deal? Options: Platform, Institution compliance office, Athlete/agent, Brand, Shared responsibility

If We Could Fix One Thing Right Now

• What's the real cost to you of continuing to manage NIL the way you do today (time, money, stress, lost opportunities)?
• What single friction would you most like us to remove immediately? Options: Eligibility risk, Tax confusion, Slow payouts, Low deal visibility, Contract uncertainty, Other
• Which fee structure would feel fair for handling your NIL deals? Options: Percentage of deal, Flat monthly fee, Per-deal fee, Combination, Unsure
• How much time can you realistically commit to onboarding and training in week one? Options: <1 hour, 1–3 hours, 3–6 hours, 6+ hours
• What would make you trust a platform to manage NIL for you versus doing it yourself?
• How involved do you want the platform to be after launch? Options: Self-serve (tools only), Guided support (advisory), Full-service management, Hybrid

What Would Break the Go‑Live — Let’s Prevent It

• What is the single missing approval, document, or technical gap that would stop a campaign from launching on schedule?
• Do you have institutional approvals or MOUs in place for NIL activities? Options: Yes, full approvals, Partial approvals, No approvals yet, Not sure
• Are athlete profiles complete with headshot, bio, verified social handles, and performance/engagement stats? Options: Yes, complete, Partially complete, No, not started
• Is tax setup (TIN/SSN verification, W-9 attached where required) completed and linked to the profile? Options: Yes, complete, Partially complete, No, needs setup
• Have payout accounts been verified and authorized for ACH/Stripe/payroll distribution? Options: Yes, verified, Pending verification, No account linked
• Do we have the necessary integration access from your institution (API/SSO/roster feed) if required? Options: Yes, access provided, Access pending, No integration required, Unsure
• Would you like a short test campaign or launch runbook to validate flows before full deployment? Options: Yes, required, Optional but preferred, No, ready to launch

Your First 30 Days — What Success Looks Like

• If we nail the first 30 days, what three things must happen for you to call this a success?
• Select your top priorities for the first campaign (pick up to 3). Options: Compliance clearance, First payment processed, Public content published, Audience growth, Brand relationship established, Data/reporting delivered
• Who should receive onboarding and launch updates and how often? Options: Athlete daily, Parent weekly, Compliance officer weekly, Brand contact as needed, Other
• What reporting cadence would make you feel confident post-launch? Options: Daily, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly, On-demand
• Are there any scheduling constraints or special accommodations we should plan for in the first month (exams, travel, season schedule)?

Start With Your Story — Who Are You Here For?

• Which role best describes you in this NIL conversation? Options: College athlete, Parent / guardian, Athletic department compliance officer, Brand / marketer, Agent / rep, Other
• Tell me briefly how you first started getting interest from brands or why you're exploring NIL now.
• Which sport or activity do you (or the athlete you represent) participate in? Options: Football, Basketball, Baseball/Softball, Soccer, Track & Field, Swimming, Gymnastics, Other
• What class year or stage is the athlete in (so we can align timelines)? Options: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate, Not applicable / other
• How did the recent spike in interest happen—performance, viral content, or direct outreach? Options: On-field/court performance, Viral social post, Brand outreach, Local press, Coach/department referral, Other

If Nothing Changed, What Would Break First?

• If you kept doing deals the way you have been, what's the most realistic negative outcome you fear? Options: Lost eligibility, Unexpected tax bill, Damaged reputation, Missed income opportunities, Contract disputes, Other
• Have you ever had a deal questioned or denied by your institution or conference? If so, what happened? Options: Yes—denied, Yes—questioned but resolved, No, Unsure
• How often do compliance or tax concerns stop you from saying yes to an opportunity? Options: Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never
• Describe a moment you felt uncertain or stressed about a past brand opportunity—what specifically made you uneasy?
• Who currently helps you make sense of compliance, contracts, or taxes (if anyone)? Options: Institution compliance office, Parent/guardian, Agent/rep, Personal accountant, No one, Other

Who's Pulling the Strings Behind the Scenes?

• Who has the final say on whether you can accept a deal—have you mapped every decision-maker? Options: Athlete alone, Parent/guardian + athlete, Athletic department compliance, Coach or staff, Agent/rep, Combination of above, Unsure
• Which institutional or conference approvals are required before a deal goes live?
• How easy is it for you to get timely sign-off from the compliance office or required approvers? Options: Immediate / same day, A few days, A week or more, Very difficult, Not required
• Who else needs to be involved for contractual or payment reasons (tax preparer, financial guardian, agent)? Options: Parent/guardian, Tax professional, Agent/rep, Banking contact, No one else, Other
• What communication channel do decision-makers prefer for approvals (email, compliance portal, phone, in-person)? Options: Email, Compliance portal, Phone call, Text message, In-person meeting, Other

Where Would You Draw the Line Between Quick Cash and Long-Term Risk?

• What would you never accept in a deal, even for substantially more money (exclusivity, certain product categories, arbitration clauses)? Options: Exclusivity, Alcohol/tobacco/gambling categories, Lifetime rights, Forced image transfer, Other
• What are your short-term income goals from NIL this season? Options: <$1,000, $1k–$5k, $5k–$20k, $20k–$50k, $50k+
• How important is immediate net payout vs. a higher gross amount that requires tax handling? Options: Net payout is essential, Prefer net but can accept guidance, Okay with gross if tax-ready, No preference / unsured
• Tell us a recent offer you considered—what attracted you and what made you hesitate?
• How would you describe your appetite for brand risk on a scale from cautious to opportunistic? Options: Very cautious, Cautious, Balanced, Opportunistic, Very opportunistic

What Does a 'Win' Look Like — Beyond the Paycheck?

• In 12 months, what outcomes would make you feel our platform helped you succeed? Options: Sustained NIL income, Zero eligibility issues, Professional-grade contracts, Increased audience engagement, Brands returning for more deals, Other
• Which KPI matters most to you for a campaign—reach, engagement, direct income, or something else? Options: Reach/impressions, Engagement rate, Direct income from deal, Follower growth, Conversion / trackable sales, Other
• How will you know a deal was 'fair market value'—do you want benchmarking provided? Options: Yes—benchmarks required, Helpful but optional, No preference, Not sure what benchmarking entails
• Would you prefer shorter one-off campaigns or longer multi-activation partnerships? Options: One-off activations, Short series (2–6 months), Long-term partnerships (6+ months), Mixed
• What reporting would help you feel confident after each campaign (payments, compliance summary, audience lift)? Options: Payment receipts, Compliance pass/fail summary, Engagement and reach report, Tax documents, All of the above, Other

Which Contract Terms Keep You Up at Night?

• Which contract clauses feel most risky to you or your family right now? Options: Exclusivity, IP transfer / image use, Indemnification, Automatic renewals, Ambiguous deliverables, Other
• Who reviews contracts before you sign—do you have a lawyer, school review, or rely on the platform? Options: Personal attorney, School compliance, Agent/rep, Platform review only, I sign without review, Other
• How confident are you in your ability to negotiate or request changes in deal language? Options: Very confident, Somewhat confident, Hesitant but willing, Not comfortable at all
• Have you previously signed a contract that caused confusion later? Please describe what happened.
• Would having template-friendly redlines or suggested alternative clauses increase your willingness to sign? Options: Yes—very helpful, Somewhat helpful, Not helpful, Unsure

Compliance — Where Do You Need a Safety Net?

• How confident are you that a signed NIL deal will comply with NCAA, conference, and institutional rules? Options: Completely confident, Mostly confident, Somewhat unsure, Very unsure
• Which governing rules apply to you that we should know about (NCAA division, conference, institution-specific policies)?
• What approvals or forms does your institution require before a deal is executed? Options: Institution disclosure form, Conference approval, Compliance sign-off, No forms required, Other
• Have you ever been advised by compliance to decline or modify a potential deal? If yes, what was the reason? Options: Yes—eligibility risk, Yes—conflict with school partner, Yes—timing/schedule conflict, No, Other
• Would an automated pre-approval check that flags eligibility risk be valuable to you? Options: Essential, Very useful, Somewhat helpful, Not necessary

Taxes & Payments — Do You Have a Plan for the Money?

• If you received multiple 1099s this year, how comfortable are you preparing taxes? Options: Very comfortable, Somewhat comfortable, Need help from a CPA, Completely unsure
• Who handles tax filing and bookkeeping for NIL income currently? Options: Athlete / self, Parent/guardian, CPA / tax professional, Agent/rep, No one yet
• Which payment structure do you prefer for deals? Options: Gross payment with tax guidance, Net payment after withholding, Split payments (advance + completion), Deferred payment, Other
• Are payout accounts and tax forms (W-9, EIN, etc.) set up and ready for payments? Options: Yes—everything ready, Mostly ready, Some documents missing, No setup yet
• Would integrated tax withholding and year-end summaries influence your decision to use a platform? Options: Strongly influence, Somewhat, Not at all, Unsure

Audience, Content, and Brand Fit — Who Do You Actually Reach?

• Are your followers aligned with the buyer personas brands typically want (age, location, interests)? Options: Yes—strongly aligned, Somewhat aligned, Not aligned, Unsure
• What platforms drive most of your engagement (pick top two)? Options: Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, YouTube, Facebook, Other
• What average engagement rate do you typically see on sponsored posts (or approximate if unknown)? Options: <1%, 1–3%, 3–6%, 6–10%, >10%, Unsure
• Which brand categories do you want to pursue or avoid (fitness, apparel, food, betting, alcohol, tech)?
• Can you share one example of a past post or campaign that performed really well—what made it work?

Launch Readiness — What's the One Thing That Could Stop Go-Live?

• What's the single biggest barrier that would prevent your first campaign from launching on schedule? Options: Compliance approval delay, Missing tax/payout info, Contract negotiation, Brand readiness, Technical/integration issue, Other
• How complete is the athlete profile (bio, headshot, audience data, past deals)? Options: Fully complete, Mostly complete, Partially complete, Not started
• Are institutional approvals and signatures already secured for near-term deals? Options: Yes—secured, In progress, Not yet started, Not required
• What timeline would you like for onboarding and launching your first campaign? Options: Within a week, 1–2 weeks, 2–4 weeks, 1–2 months, Longer
• What technical access will we need to launch (social account permissions, integration keys, compliance portal login)?

How Do You Want to Be Supported After Go-Live?

• What level of hands-on support would make you feel most secure—do you want managed deals, self-serve tools, or a hybrid? Options: Fully managed (we handle everything), Guided self-serve, Self-serve with optional support, Unsure
• How frequently do you want updates and reports during a campaign? Options: Real-time, Daily, Weekly, At campaign milestones, At campaign end
• If an issue arises (eligibility flag, payment hold), how quickly do you expect escalation and resolution? Options: Same day, 1–2 business days, 3–5 business days, Depends on severity
• What training or materials would make you more confident signing deals (contract walk-throughs, tax webinars, compliance cheat-sheets)? Options: Live onboarding session, Recorded tutorials, One-pagers / cheat sheets, Access to advisor, All of the above, Other
• What does trust look like from your perspective—what would make you recommend this platform to a teammate?