Hello everyone, in the past 48 hours, I have received over 20 emails and a number of phone calls from concerned readers about a new scouting service/product launched by The Scouting News. As this IS someone’s business, and since Everyone is entitled to “pay the bills”…I don’t think it is right to offer my direct opinion on THEIR services… How unlike me, I know…. What I am going to do is to give you some questions to think about that that you SHOULD address as part of your decision making process if you seriously consider paying for such a scouting service by any such service provider.
Here are different examples of these types of websites & Services:
http://www.thescoutingnews.com
http://www.collegehockey.info/home.php
*FYI, I had another 7+ websites on my list offering similar services, but they had ALL gone out of business at some point in the past 1-5 years. You can draw your own conclusion from that fact. ALSO, I am in NO WAY affiliated with ANY of these sites. While I have and do offer similar type scouting services/promotions, I do not offer a database style service. If I do market any scouting based products in the future, I expect you to ask me the hard questions below and I better have reliable answers!!! [That’s my only disclaimer for the day!]
In general, I’d treat this type of service like any other prospect camp event/process.
Any exposure is good exposure. It’s has to be better then nothing. But you need to consider the following questions?
1) Is the price reasonable? Are you getting good value for your money?
2) How is the Database accessed? Do scouts or coaches have to pay to utilize the website? I’m not talking ONLY about those that may ‘contribute’ actively to the site, I’m talking about those Junior or College scouts/coaches that you are interested in getting access to your information?
3) Which Players are highlighted in the articles written on the scouting site? Check the FRONT PAGE, Are they ALL potential NHL all-stars or are there a LOT of articles about ‘everyday local players’? Are the NAME BRAND SCOUTS listed actually looking at ‘diamonds’ in the rough like your son? Or are they mainly writing about the next John Tavares who is starting to garner 1st or 2nd round NHL draft aspirations? Be realistic, if your son is going to be or already is one of those potential elite level players, why would you need such a service. If he isn’t, is this venue going to promote him effectively?
4) Is the database actually effective for your needs? These types of tools can be useful, but just having a big database doesn’t mean people can use it effectively. Why would anyone read ‘your’ profile over the other 1000+ players on the site? More importantly, WILL they find it?
5) Database or Direct Contact? Are you better served by directly contacting the teams you are interested in yourself or having someone do that on your behalf. At least, you know you have spoken to those coaches one way or another and gotten on their radar. Instead of just being #123423 on a database list that someone may or may not read…
6) Trust – Do you trust whomever you are dealing with? I’m certain he will have a resume of value, but does he answer all of your questions professionally and knowledgably? As simple as this sounds, it is a HUGE consideration.
7) Does it feel like a money grab? If the answer is Yes, then perhaps you can find a better alternative for your hockey investment dollar.
I hope that helps. As always, if you have any comments or questions, do not hesitate to drop me an email or give me a phone call.
Jason