Pacers Beat Writer - Fieldhouse File

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in content creation but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Scott Agness, Founder, Journalist & Host of Fieldhouse Files, located in Indianapolis, IN, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is content creation. I'm in my 11th season as a beat writer covering the Indiana Pacers of the NBA — so my customers are the fans. I aim each day to answer what they're wondering about and to tell them things they don't know. Ultimately, it's a relationship business, and if fans know the players and coaches better, their affinity for the team grows stronger, and thus they want to consume more of my writing, etc.

Tell us about yourself

I'm fortunate because I've known what I wanted to do since middle school. I've wanted to be in journalism, broadcasting, and covering games. I got started in the sports world as a ball kid, first for tennis and then the NBA/WNBA. I've been in sports ever since I can remember -- playing, filming a video of my sisters playing, and then broadcasting. I'm motivated each day to be better than I was yesterday. I'm never satisfied and always evolving.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think doing just that, running my own company. When Covid-19 hit, The Athletic laid off part of the workforce, and I was part of it. But there was no way I was going to hang it up and go in a different direction. So I continued doing what I do — only this time, on my own platform. And on my own. I prefer having teammates and working with others, but I've demonstrated how there is an audience out there and how I can reach them. I've built up the Fieldhouse Files community through my decade-plus of experience covering this team and providing for fans.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest thing is doing it all yourself. Not only does that mean formatting and editing stories and providing the photos — but it also means handling the business side, but the backend of the website, managing subscribers, making sure credit cards go through, reaching out personally to subscribers if there's a problem, and getting it resolved. More than just writing and reporting, there are so many other aspects that take up time, and they're critical to doing it successfully.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Make the first move and get started.
2. Understand your business and the audience.
3. Outwork the competition. ... And remember that the customer is everything.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.fieldhousefiles.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottAgnessNBA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottagness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScottAgness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottagness

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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