Mark Cuban reads for one hour every day.
Cuban says that when he started out as a software salesman, he knew nothing about what he was selling. He learned by reading the instruction manuals. Then, when prospects had questions, he was able to answer them thoroughly and professionally.
Cuban outsold everyone and set himself on his way to riches.
Other software sales people had the same access to the manuals. Cuban says the difference is that he invested the time to read them. Cuban is one of many leaders who make time to read.
One thing I have observed on social media and through personal interaction with sports broadcasters is that many of them don’t like to read books. Wow – so many people are missing out on treasure troves of information and advice that can be difference-makers in their careers.
Learning should be a lifelong endeavor. People committed to learning read. Highly motivated individuals in any industry make time to read. Yes, podcasts and articles can contain helpful information but nothing matches the detail and depth of books.
[Tweet “Information is motivational fuel. Learning new ideas helps grow your sportscasting career.”]There are only so many ways to learn things on your own after you finish school. Reading is one of the best ways to continue growing.
Information is motivational fuel. Learning new ideas and techniques gets you fired up and will help you advance your sports broadcasting career.
I have a challenge for you:
After you finish reading this post, start reading a book about sports broadcasting or one by a sports broadcaster. Here is a list of some of my favorites but there are hundreds of them out there.
If you will please do me a favor, I would love it if you will use the space below this post to recommend some of your favorite books about sports broadcasting or related books that you have found to be helpful to your broadcasts.
6 Comments. Leave new
The first book I read about sportscasting was Gary Bender’s “The Call of the Game.” I believe strongly in reading fiction. As a play-by-play guy understanding narrative, character development, and conflict helps to turn a game into an epic journey of good trying to overcome evil (slightly exaggerated).
Call of the Game has been a popular and helpful book for sports broadcasters for a long time. Glad you have already read it.
You are right on about how reading fiction can make a person a better broadcaster. Reading uniquely expands our vocabulary. I’ve read that the written texts we read as adults use double and triple the number of rare words we hear on television.
I have most of the broadcasting books at my apartment and they are great help to me. I would recommend Cohn Head because she did her 5,000 Sportscenter this past Sunday.
Hi Rob — great recommendation. One of the many cool things about Linda is she doesn’t do schtick. She is just consistently good, warm and likable.
One of my favorites was “You Can’t Make This Up” by Al Michaels. Good stories from a legend. He also sprinkles some broadcasting advice throughout the book.
I loved Al’s book. Just read it last summer. I read Al’s book immediately after I read Leigh Steinberg’s book. Ironically, both of them attended the same high school in Los Angeles!