Don’t Just Post Your Highlights: Why the 50–30–20 Rule Still Misses the Point
Everywhere you look, athletes are being told the same thing:
“Post more.”
“Show coaches your highlights.”
“Use the 50–30–20 rule.”
And to be fair — the framework on the 50-30-20 rule is actually solid, a concept I go into more detail in this TikTok video, but here is the breakdown:
50% skill clips
30% recent game highlights
20% work ethic + character
It’s smart, practical, and designed to give coaches a clear look at what you can do.
But here’s the part most athletes miss:
Your highlights alone won’t optimize brand-building.
Because highlights only tell one part of your story.
And if you want opportunities… coaches, fans, and sponsors need to see more than that.
The Real Problem: Every Athlete is Posting the Same Thing
Let’s name the external problem:
Every athlete is posting highlights.
Now the internal problem:
You feel like you're doing the work, posting the content, showing your game… but the growth doesn’t match the effort.
And the philosophical problem:
You’ve earned more visibility than you’re getting. Your story deserves to stand out.
That’s why the “post more highlights” advice falls flat. Because everyone is doing it.
It creates what I call the crowded gym problem:
When a hundred athletes are taking shots at the same time, even the cleanest reps get lost in the noise.
What Actually Cuts Through the Noise? You.
Not more content. More content only you can create.
Here are the three things every athlete needs to show if they want to stand out — and none of them require fancy editing or a camera crew.
1️⃣ Your Personality
The small, human moments that make people feel connected.
Laughing with a teammate about someone’s awful pregame playlist. Walking into practice with energy. A quick on-the-way-out-the-door update.
These moments are simple… but they’re the reason people feel like they actually know you.
2️⃣ Your Interests Outside Your Sport
This is where dimension happens.
Fashion. Music. Cooking. Training philosophy. LEGOS. Sneakers. Mission trips. Family. Art.
Whatever is authentically you.
When you show what you care about off the court, it makes you memorable on it.
3️⃣ Your Everyday Character
Not the big awards — the small, honest windows into who you are.
Helping your younger sibling grow their confidence. Working through a tough week of training. Talking about motivation on a day you didn’t feel like showing up.
These are the things coaches, fans, and sponsors attach to.
Your sport gets attention.
Your humanity builds connection.
And connection is what opens doors.
The Plan: How to Use the 50–30–20 Rule the Right Way
You don’t need to ditch the framework. You just need to anchor it in identity, not volume.
Here’s your 3-step StoryBrand-aligned plan:
1️⃣ Clarify who you are as an athlete and person.
What do you want people to know about you?
What makes you different?
What do you want to be remembered for?
2️⃣ Build content that proves it.
Use your skills, highlights, personality, interests, and character to reinforce the same core identity.
3️⃣ Repeat it consistently.
Not constantly — consistently.
The goal is clarity, not quantity.
When your message is clear, your content starts working for you instead of against you.
The Success Path: What Happens When You Do This Right
Athletes who build their brand with intention experience:
More meaningful engagement
More visibility with coaches
More NIL/sponsorship relevance
More trust from fans
More opportunities long term
Because people don’t connect with stats.
They connect with stories.
They connect with identity.
They connect with you.
Final Thought
If you’re building your athlete brand intentionally, remember this:
Don’t just show what you can do.
Show who you are.
That’s what separates you from the crowd.
