Ryuji Sugimoto's New TikTok Journey
Ryuji Sugimoto, a retired professional soccer player with notable achievements in the J-League, has ventured into the world of TikTok, aided by marketing support from EMOLVA, a leading social media strategy company. This development represents a proactive step towards addressing the challenges that many athletes face when transitioning into their post-sports careers. The focus is on utilizing social media to help forge connections and build a brand that can thrive even after retirement.
EMOLVA’s Comprehensive Support for Sugimoto
EMOLVA is pivotal in assisting Sugimoto with his TikTok account by providing end-to-end support for the account’s management. The collaborative effort includes strategic planning, content creation, filming, editing, and continual analytics for improvement. The support strategy consists of several key elements:
- - Social Media Strategy Design: Crafting a tailored approach that resonates with Sugimoto's personality and the interests of his audience.
- - TikTok Concept Development: Establishing a unique theme that aligns with current trends while maintaining authenticity.
- - Scriptwriting: Developing engaging narratives that captivate followers and present Sugimoto's experiences creatively.
- - Filming and Editing: Ensuring high-quality video production to communicate Sugimoto's stories effectively.
- - Ongoing Analysis: Implementing a growth strategy that includes feedback loops to continually refine content and engagement practices.
His TikTok account, where he dives into the lives of current players through interview formats, aims to showcase not just the sport but the human side of athletes, enhancing the bond with fans.
Follow Sugimoto on TikTok
About Ryuji Sugimoto
Name: Ryuji Sugimoto
Birthplace / Birth Date: Tokyo / June 1, 1993
Clubs Played For: Tokyo Verdy, Nagoya Grampus, Yokohama F. Marinos, and others
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Post-Career Activities: Sugimoto is planning to promote soccer and develop educational initiatives about career transitions for athletes, including future projects like building soccer fields and establishing partnerships with clubs.
Key Aspects of Sugimoto's TikTok Management
EMOLVA’s strategy focuses on highlighting the unique perspectives of former athletes through six main frameworks:
1.
Transforming from 'Player Image' to 'Human Image': Displaying candid moments and failures to create relatability.
2.
Combination of Expertise and Entertainment: Sharing training methods and sports insights with humor to engage viewers.
3.
Building a New Relationship with Fans: Promoting interactive communication such as responding to comments and hosting requests.
4.
Strategic Approaches Unique to TikTok: Optimizing short video formats and trending sounds to maximize outreach and engagement.
5.
Gradual Monetization Transition: Gaining fan traction initially, followed by commercial collaborations as the account grows.
6.
Avoiding Critical Pitfalls: Steering clear of being overly nostalgic about past glories and maintaining an approachable tone.
Ryuji's Vision and Goals for His Social Media
Through his TikTok endeavors, Sugimoto hopes to take the first step in popularizing his company while achieving broader goals:
- - Promoting soccer and career education.
- - Establishing an office for current players to ease their worries about post-career transitions.
- - Building his own soccer field.
- - Partnering with Tokyo Verdy as a sponsor.
Furthermore, Sugimoto looks to organize soccer events and educational sessions during off-seasons to link athletes with diverse industries, expanding their opportunities for growth.
EMOLVA's Initiative for Athlete Support
EMOLVA’s commitment to assisting athletes with social media presence stems from the recognition of Japan’s second-career challenges. As many athletes’ fanbases diminish after retirement, they emphasize building robust fan communities during their playing careers. Sugimoto’s account serves to explore this hypothesis, setting a precedent for future initiatives.
Vision for Second Career Support
EMOLVA aims to facilitate a social environment where athletes can utilize their experience and knowledge post-retirement:
- - Building Fan Communities While Active: Ensuring ongoing engagement with followers through personal insights about their lives and thoughts.
- - Creating New Opportunities Post-Retirement: Sharing expertise in mental health, nutrition, and training can pave the way for further professional engagements.
- - Establishing Monetization Streams: Building revenue models through sponsorships and content creation that continue to engage and interest fans.
These initiatives challenge the traditional notion of retirement as the end of a career, proposing that it marks the beginning of a new chapter where athletes can leverage their experiences to create lasting societal impact through social media.
About EMOLVA
- - Website: EMOLVA
- - Business Overview: EMOLVA manages social media strategies for Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, specializing in influencer collaborations and promotions across various platforms.
- - Achievements: With 11 years of experience, EMOLVA has provided services to over 500 companies and is driven by CEO Kiyoi Sakakihara’s influential presence as an influencer with over 500,000 followers.
- - Notable Services: EMOLVA's social media campaigns have garnered significant follower growth for various brands and have the support of 1.4 million influencers and over 10,000 general monitors.