Recruiting new players is essential to maintaining and growing an agency business.

But competition has never been fiercer, with countless intermediaries competing with registered agents to attract clients in a crowded industry. It’s all too easy to miss out on good opportunities.

That is even more frustrating when you were not aware that the opportunity existed in the first place. How many times have you found out that a player who would have been a good fit for your agency has just signed with a rival - before you even knew they were looking for new representation?

But knowing about player availability is only half the battle. Even if you find a player who is a good match, you need the time, network and presence to convince them to choose you over all the other options. There are all sorts of reasons why rivals could win the argument, even if you have a good case to make.

The new FIFA regulations mean there is likely to be some turbulence in the market, with agents releasing players and players wanting to change agents. There will be new opportunities out there, but you face being left behind unless you are on the ball.

Here are five reasons why rivals will keep on beating you to signing the best new clients:

1. You don’t know which players are looking for new representation

Rumours always fly around, but it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. If you don’t know that a player is actively looking for a new agent, you can miss out on pitching to a potential client. Instead of being able to act quickly to snap up a good opportunity, your competitors beat you to it. 

2. You don’t spend enough time finding new players or you pursue the wrong deals

It is a juggling act to work for your existing players and to look for new clients. If you have to put in all the effort to persuade players to sign with you, then it can damage your ability to do deals for your existing clients and build a reputation that makes players come to you. But if you don’t put the time and effort in, then you won’t grow your business. It can be a vicious circle.

3. You don’t have good enough contacts outside your home market

Football is a global game. But if your contacts are strong only in your home market, it is hard to build your business and reputation further afield. Instead of being able to work internationally, you are restricted in the players you can pursue and miss out on chances to expand.

4. You are outmuscled by competitors

Bigger agencies by their very nature have more money and resources to use in recruitment. It’s hard to compete with them, or with agents who specialise in a particular region or league, even when you might be the best option for the player. Instead of being able to make your case, you are squeezed out by rivals.

5. You don’t stand out to potential new clients

Players have never had more options when it comes to choosing an agent. But if they don’t have reliable information about your track record, network and existing player portfolio, it is hard for them to know that you could be the right person to guide their career. Instead of standing out from the crowd, you are just one of numerous agents and they have no good reason to pick you over someone else.

If you don’t know which players want new agents, you risk missing out on good opportunities and wasting your time on the wrong leads. And if you don’t have the right tools and approach, you won’t be able to turn opportunities into new clients.

But TransferRoom can help you with both issues. Our PlayerMarket feature provides our Trusted Agents with instant, up-to-date and reliable information about players all over the world who are looking for representation, and gives them the ability to connect with them directly.

To learn more about the PlayerMarket feature and grow your player portfolio quickly, click here.