Sideline Bros — March Madness Community Launch Playbook

Playbook Contents

01 What You're Missing 02 The Psychology 03 Funnel Architecture 04 Content Strategy & Cadence 05 Public Language & Content Playbook 06 Discord Blueprint 07 Week-by-Week Timeline 08 Pricing & Monetization 09 Metrics & KPIs

01 What You're Missing

You said it — this is a marketing game. Here's what most sports analysis communities get wrong, and what's likely missing from your current plan.

The Identity Gap

Sideline Bros has 108K followers on TikTok watching NBA "Imposter" games and basketball entertainment. That audience doesn't automatically trust you with their money. There's a bridge you have to build: from "these guys are funny and know ball" to "these guys make me money." That bridge is the entire game.

The #1 mistake in this space: Trying to sell before proving anything. You need a public, documented track record before you ask for a single dollar. Start posting free analysis NOW — every single day between now and conference tournaments.

The 9 Blind Spots

1. No Public Track Record

Nobody pays without receipts. You need 3-4 weeks of documented, timestamped free calls with clear unit tracking before you ask for money. This starts TODAY.

2. Entertainment ≠ Authority

Your content is entertainment-first (Imposter games, highlights). That's great for reach, but you need to layer in analytical content — breakdowns, trends, data — to establish credibility.

3. Platform Risk

108K TikTok followers can evaporate overnight. You're building on rented land. You need an owned channel — Discord is a step, but also collect email/SMS where possible.

4. The Dead Discord Problem

Empty Discord servers kill conversion instantly. If someone joins your free tier and sees tumbleweeds, they're leaving and never coming back. You need a community management plan from Day 1.

5. TikTok → IG Pipeline

108K on TikTok, ~11K on IG. Your DM automation works on IG. You need an aggressive cross-platform strategy funneling TikTok viewers to IG, where the funnel can capture them.

6. Retention, Not Just Acquisition

Analysis services have brutal churn — one bad week and people cancel. You need daily engagement loops, community features, and value beyond just the calls themselves to keep people paying.

7. Legal / Compliance

Sports-related promotion has state-specific regulations. You need disclaimers, age verification for Discord, and awareness that certain states have restrictions. "Entertainment purposes only" language matters.

8. Stacked Affiliate Deals

Kalshi is one revenue stream. But the real affiliate money is in sportsbook first-time deposit (FTD) bonuses. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars all pay $100-300+ per FTD. Stack multiple deals.

9. The Nurture Gap

Going from "fun basketball content" to "give me $50/month" is a massive trust leap. You need a deliberate nurture sequence — free value → social proof → small ask → bigger ask — not just a single CTA.

02 The Psychology of Conversion

Understanding why people pay for sports analysis communities — and how to ethically leverage these psychological principles in your content and funnel.

🧠

Social Proof & FOMO

People don't want to miss what others are winning. Every time you post a win, screenshot Discord reactions, share member testimonials, or show your record — you're creating social proof. The fear of missing the next big hit is the most powerful driver.

How to use it: Post daily "results" content. Screenshot Discord celebrations after wins. Share your running record prominently. Use language like "community hit another winner" — not "I hit" — make it about the group.

💸

Loss Aversion

People feel losses twice as intensely as gains. Frame your service not as "make money" but as "stop making bad decisions." Position Sideline Bros as the antidote to losing they're already doing.

How to use it: Content that shows common mistakes. "You're fading this team? Here's why that's wrong." Show what happens when people go in blind vs. with your analysis.

🏠

Tribal Identity

People will pay to belong to something. The Discord isn't just an analysis feed — it's a community of people who "know ball." Make membership feel like joining an exclusive club, not buying a product.

How to use it: Give your community a name. Create inside jokes, shared language, rituals. Members vs. outsiders framing. "We don't miss" as a shared identity.

🎁

Reciprocity

Give massive free value first. When people feel like they've received something valuable for free, they feel psychologically compelled to give back. Your free analysis is not a loss leader — it's an investment in reciprocity.

How to use it: 3+ weeks of free value before asking for anything. Free breakdowns, free analysis, free Discord access. When you finally launch paid, people feel like they OWE you the subscription.

🔒

Commitment & Consistency

Once someone takes a small action (joins Discord, follows the free analysis, acts on your call and wins), they're psychologically primed to take bigger actions. Stack micro-commitments.

How to use it: The funnel should be: follow → comment/DM → join Discord → engage in free channels → tail a free call → see it win → subscribe to paid. Each step deepens commitment.

⏰

Scarcity & Urgency

Conference tournaments are a built-in urgency engine. The games are happening whether they're subscribed or not. March Madness waits for nobody. Use the calendar as natural scarcity.

How to use it: "Conference tournaments start in X days — are you locked in?" Countdown content. Limited founding member pricing. Capped spots in the paid tier.

The Psychological Sequence (Your Content Should Follow This Arc): Attention (entertainment) → Credibility (free analysis + wins) → Trust (consistent track record) → Community (Discord belonging) → Commitment (first free call tailed) → Conversion (paid subscription) → Retention (daily value + wins + identity)

03 Funnel Architecture

The complete path from casual viewer to paying subscriber and affiliate revenue.

The Full Funnel

TIKTOK (108K) — Entertainment + Analysis Teasers "Follow our IG for daily breakdowns" in every video

↓

INSTAGRAM (~11K → Growth Target: 25K) — Authority + Daily Reads Story polls, analysis reveals, DM keyword triggers

↓

DM AUTOMATION — Capture + Nurture Keyword trigger → value message → Discord invite → drip sequence

↓

DISCORD (Free Tier) — Community + Daily Free Analysis Free daily reads, discussion, reactions, community building

↓

DISCORD (Paid Tier) — Premium Analysis + Full Card Full card, early access, detailed breakdowns, direct access

↓

KALSHI + SPORTSBOOK FTDs — Affiliate Revenue Referral links in Discord, onboarding guides, deposit bonuses

Revenue Model Breakdown

Stream 1: Community Subscriptions

Recurring monthly revenue. Low tier ($15-25/mo) and mid tier ($50-75/mo). This is your bread and butter. Target: 200-500 paying members by end of March Madness.

Stream 2: Sportsbook FTDs

One-time bounties, high value. $100-300+ per first-time deposit. If you drive 500 FTDs across sportsbooks during March Madness, that's $50K-150K in affiliate revenue alone.

Stream 3: Kalshi Referrals

Prediction market conversions. Leverage your existing Kalshi deal. Create Kalshi-specific content (event contracts, prop markets) to diversify beyond traditional sports.

The real money play: Most people in this space focus only on subscription revenue. The affiliate FTD game is where the real dollars are. Every person in your Discord who hasn't signed up for a sportsbook yet is worth $100-300 to you. Build "getting started" guides that walk new members through signing up with YOUR referral links. This is especially lucrative during March Madness when millions of casual fans participate for the first time.

04 Content Strategy & Cadence

What to post, where to post it, and how often — with the specific purpose of each content type in the funnel. All public-facing language follows the clean vocabulary rules in Section 05.

Content Pillars

Every piece of content should serve one of these five purposes. Label each post internally so you're hitting all five every week.

Pillar	Purpose in Funnel	Example Content	Platform
ENTERTAINMENT	Top of funnel — reach & discovery	Imposter games, hot takes, debates, memes, player comparisons	TikTok + IG Reels
AUTHORITY	Credibility building — "they know ball"	Game breakdowns, stat analysis, trend identification, matchup previews	IG Carousels + Reels
PROOF	Trust building — "they're right about games"	Called-it content, result screenshots, win streak updates, community reactions	IG Stories + Feed
COMMUNITY	Belonging — "I want to be part of this"	Discord screenshots, member shoutouts, group celebrations, behind-the-scenes	IG Stories + TikTok
CONVERSION	Action — join Discord, subscribe	Analysis teasers, "DM me [KEYWORD]", limited spots, countdown to tournaments	All platforms

The Content Mix Rule

Follow the 50/30/20 Rule: 50% Entertainment + Authority (reach and credibility) — 30% Proof + Community (trust and belonging) — 20% Conversion (calls to action). If you're posting 10 pieces of content per week, only 2 should be direct CTAs. The other 8 are making those 2 actually convert.

Platform-Specific Strategy

TikTok (Primary Reach Engine)

Goal: Drive followers to Instagram

Frequency: 2-3 posts/day

Content mix:

Continue Imposter games and entertainment content — this is your reach machine. Layer in ONE analysis angle per day: a trend, a stat breakdown, a hot take backed by data. Always end with "follow our IG @sideline.bros for daily game breakdowns."

Key tactic: Pin a comment on every video: "Daily game breakdowns on our IG. Link in bio." Add IG to your TikTok bio link.

Instagram (Primary Conversion Engine)

Goal: Capture into DM automation → Discord

Frequency: 1-2 Reels + 1 Carousel/Feed + 5-8 Stories/day

Content mix:

This is where you build authority. Daily analysis posts (with specific DM keyword triggers), game previews, results recaps, carousel breakdowns. Stories are your workhorse — polls, analysis reveals, result screenshots, Discord screenshots.

Key tactic: Every story sequence should end with a slide that says "DM me [KEYWORD] for today's full breakdown." Your automation handles the rest.

Weekly Posting Calendar

Day	TikTok	IG Feed/Reels	IG Stories	Discord
Monday	Weekend recap (entertainment) + Quick CBB stat	Reel: Weekend wins recap — "we called it" energy	Week's record update, poll: "Best game this weekend?"	Weekly record reset, "let's ride" message
Tuesday	Imposter game + Stat of the day teaser	Carousel: Midweek CBB matchup preview	CBB research process, "DM HOOPS for today's breakdown"	Free analysis for the night's games
Wednesday	Hot take/debate + CBB trend content	Reel: Common mistake breakdown	Live analysis reveal, results from Tuesday	Free analysis + discussion prompts
Thursday	Imposter game + "Who's winning tonight?"	Reel: Thursday night slate preview	Analysis teasers, "DM GAME for tonight's reads"	Full Thursday card (free tier gets 2, paid gets full)
Friday	Weekend preview hype + Community win screenshots	Carousel: Big Saturday CBB preview	Discord screenshots, FOMO content	Friday night analysis, weekend preview
Saturday	Game day energy content (2-3x)	Reel: Saturday reads reveal	Real-time reactions, live updates, "called it" screenshots	Heavy engagement — live discussion, in-game analysis
Sunday	Weekend wrap, preview next week	Feed: Full weekend results + record update	Community shoutouts, "join us" CTA	Full results, week-in-review, member shoutouts

The TikTok → IG Pipeline (Critical)

Your 108K TikTok audience is your biggest untapped asset. Here's how to systematically convert them to Instagram followers where your DM automation can capture them:

In Every TikTok Video:

Verbal mention: "Follow our IG for daily game breakdowns"
Text overlay: "@sideline.bros on IG" at end of video
Pinned comment with IG handle
Bio link goes to IG profile

Weekly TikTok → IG Drivers:

Post IG-exclusive content teasers on TikTok
"We posted our full March Madness breakdown on IG"
Share IG Stories showing Discord community vibes
Run a giveaway requiring IG follow to enter

05 Public Language & Content Playbook

Instagram and TikTok actively suppress and shadow-ban content that references gambling, betting, or sports wagering. This section is the rulebook for how to talk about what you do on public platforms without triggering algorithmic suppression — while still converting.

The Shadow Ban Problem

Social platforms use automated classifiers to detect and suppress gambling-related content. If your posts, captions, comments, or hashtags contain flagged words, your content gets:

Reduced Reach

Algorithm deprioritizes your content in Explore, For You, and follower feeds. You'll see a 50-80% drop in impressions overnight.

Hashtag Blocking

Gambling-related hashtags are either dead or actively monitored. Using them marks your account for review.

Account Restrictions

Repeated flags can lead to features being disabled (DMs, Stories, going live) or full account suspension.

The Rule: Two vocabularies. One for public, one for private. Public platforms (TikTok, IG feed, IG stories, captions, comments, bios) use CLEAN language only. Private platforms (Discord, DMs after opt-in) can use direct language. Never mix them up.

Banned Words — Never Use on Public Posts

These words and phrases should NEVER appear in any TikTok video, IG post, IG Story, caption, comment, pinned comment, hashtag, or bio:

picks betting bet bets gambling gamble wager sportsbook parlay odds spread over/under ATS moneyline units bankroll DraftKings FanDuel Kalshi bet slip capper tout lock lock of the day free picks paid picks handicapper

Safe Vocabulary — Use These Instead

These words convey the same meaning without triggering suppression. They frame you as basketball analysts and community builders, not gambling promoters.

picks → reads breakdowns analysis insights the move

betting / bets → the game hoops the action ball

lock / lock of the day → the call our read the lean the move tonight

bet slip / results → the receipts called it on the record results speak

free picks / paid picks → daily breakdowns game reads the community the inner circle

parlay / odds / spread → the numbers the matchup what the data says

units / bankroll → our track record season results how we're running

capper / handicapper → analyst the team our guys

DM Trigger Keywords (Clean)

Your DM automation trigger words should also be clean. These are typed in public comments and DMs, so they need to pass the algorithm check.

HOOPS

"DM me HOOPS for today's read"

GAME

"DM me GAME for the full breakdown"

BALL

"DM me BALL to join the community"

Clean Caption & Hashtag Guide

Safe Hashtags

#CollegeBasketball #CBB #MarchMadness #BallKnowledge #KnowBall #GameBreakdown #HoopsAnalysis #Basketball #ConferenceTournament #NCAA #MarchMadness2026 #FinalFour #SelectionSunday

Banned Hashtags

#SportsBetting #FreePicks #GamblingTwitter #CBBPicks #Parlay #BetSlip #Locks #POTD #FadeOrTail #Handicapping

Bio Language

Instagram Bio (Clean)

Best Ball Knowledge on IG 🏀 Daily game breakdowns + analysis Join 500+ in our community ⬇️ [DISCORD LINK or LINKTREE]

The Curiosity Gap Method

The most powerful conversion technique when you can't say what you do directly is the curiosity gap. Show results without explaining the mechanism. People will DM to find out what's behind the curtain.

Show, Don't Tell

Post Discord screenshots showing people celebrating. Show your track record as a graphic. Flash "called it" results. Show the OUTCOME without explaining how people are using your analysis to make money. They'll figure it out — and they'll DM you.

The Implied Promise

"We've been on a crazy run this week" + Discord screenshot of people going wild = everyone knows what's happening. You never said a banned word. The audience connects the dots themselves, which is MORE powerful than saying it directly.

Content Hook Frameworks

Every piece of content needs to stop the scroll in the first 1-2 seconds. Here are 6 hook types that work for basketball analysis content without using banned language:

1. The Contrarian Take

"Everyone is sleeping on [TEAM] right now and I don't understand it..."

"Nobody is talking about [STAT/TREND] and it's going to decide the conference tournament..."

Why it works: Positions you as the smart one who sees what others don't. Authority + entertainment.

2. The "Called It" Receipt

"I told you [TEAM] was going to do this. Here's the receipts..."

"3 weeks ago I said [PREDICTION]. Look what happened last night..."

Why it works: Pure social proof. Shows you're right without saying what you're right about.

3. The Data Drop

"[TEAM] is [X-X] when [SPECIFIC SITUATION] and nobody is paying attention..."

"This one stat tells you everything about tonight's game..."

Why it works: Establishes analytical authority. Shows you do homework others don't.

4. The Community Flex

"Our community went crazy last night. Here's why..."

"500+ people in our Discord knew about this before anyone else..."

Why it works: FOMO + social proof + tribal identity all in one hook.

5. The Question Hook

"Can [TEAM] actually win the conference tournament? Let me show you the numbers..."

"What's the one matchup nobody wants in March? I'll break it down..."

Why it works: Creates an open loop the viewer needs to close. High retention.

6. The Urgency Play

"Conference tournaments start in [X] days. Here's the one team you need to watch..."

"March Madness is coming. Here's what our community is doing to get ready..."

Why it works: Ties to real-world timeline. Creates natural urgency without selling.

Story Sequence Framework (Daily)

5-Story Daily Sequence (All Clean Language)

STORY 1: Poll — "Who wins tonight? [TEAM A] vs [TEAM B]?" (engagement) STORY 2: Your analysis — "Here's what I'm seeing in the numbers..." (authority) STORY 3: The read — "[TEAM] has the edge tonight. Here's why." (value) STORY 4: "Want the full breakdown?" → "DM me HOOPS" (conversion) STORY 5: Yesterday's results — "Called it again" + record graphic (proof)

Reel Frameworks

Reel Type: Analysis Reveal (Clean)

[HOOK — first 1-2 seconds] "Here's what the numbers say about [TEAM] tonight..." [BODY — 15-30 seconds] Quick breakdown: 2-3 data points or trends → "[TEAM] is [X-X] in their last [X] in this situation" → "[MATCHUP EDGE]" → "[SITUATIONAL ANGLE]" [CTA — last 3 seconds] "Full breakdown is in the community. DM me HOOPS for the link." [CAPTION] 🏀 [TEAM A] vs [TEAM B] tonight — here's my read ⬇️ [2-3 bullet points from the reel] Want the full daily breakdown? DM me "HOOPS" and I'll send you everything. #CollegeBasketball #CBB #MarchMadness #GameBreakdown #BallKnowledge

Reel Type: Social Proof / "Called It" (Clean)

[HOOK] "We just went on a crazy run... here's what happened" [BODY] Quick scroll through results screenshots Show the running record graphic Flash Discord celebration screenshots [CTA] "Join 500+ people getting these breakdowns daily. Link in bio." [CAPTION] Another week, another streak 📈 Our community called it again and again this week. Record this week: [X-X] Season: [X-X] Daily breakdowns in our community — DM "BALL" for the invite. #CollegeBasketball #CBB #MarchMadness2026 #BallKnowledge #KnowBall

Reel Type: Entertainment-to-Authority Bridge (Clean)

[HOOK] "Everyone is sleeping on [TEAM] in the conference tournament..." [BODY — blend entertainment + analysis] Start with a hot take (entertainment) Back it up with 2-3 stats (authority) Show why the numbers tell a different story than consensus [CTA] "If you care about March Madness, you need to be in our community. DM GAME for the free Discord link."

Carousel Framework

Carousel: Matchup Breakdown (6-8 Slides, Clean)

SLIDE 1: "[TEAM A] vs [TEAM B] — Full Breakdown" (bold, clean graphic) SLIDE 2: Key stats comparison (visual table/chart) SLIDE 3: Recent form — records, trends in this situation SLIDE 4: Matchup edge — what most people are missing SLIDE 5: Injury/situational factors SLIDE 6: The read + analysis conclusion SLIDE 7: "Save this post 🔖" + "DM HOOPS for our full daily breakdown" [CAPTION] Full breakdown of tonight's [GAME] ⬇️ Save this for later and drop your take in the comments 👇 DM me "HOOPS" for our free daily breakdowns + community 🏀 #CollegeBasketball #CBB #MarchMadness #GameBreakdown #HoopsAnalysis

TikTok Pinned Comment Templates

Rotate Between These (All Clean)

"Daily game breakdowns on our IG @sideline.bros 🏀" "We've been on a crazy run this week. Full analysis on IG @sideline.bros" "March Madness breakdowns dropping daily. Follow @sideline.bros on IG" "Join 500+ in our community getting daily reads → IG: @sideline.bros"

The magic of clean language: When you never say "picks" or "betting" on public platforms, two things happen. First, the algorithm stops suppressing you — your reach multiplies. Second, you create a curiosity gap that makes people DM you to find out what you actually do. The mystery is more powerful than the pitch. Let your results and community energy speak for themselves.

06 Discord Server Blueprint

Your Discord is the product. Not just the analysis — the entire experience. Here's how to structure it so people stay and pay. Inside Discord, you can use direct language — this is your private platform.

Channel Structure

SIDELINE BROS DISCORD

FREE TIER

# welcome-rules

# getting-started 📌 Sportsbook signup guide + affiliate links

# daily-free-plays

# results

# general-chat

# game-day-live

# memes-and-banter

# introductions

PREMIUM (Paid)

# premium-full-card 🔒

# premium-breakdowns 🔒

# premium-early-access 🔒

# premium-chat 🔒

# ask-the-team 🔒

# premium-results-tracker 🔒

ENGAGEMENT

# bracket-challenges

# best-play-of-the-day (community votes)

# win-screenshots

# bad-beats (support group energy)

The "Getting Started" Channel (Affiliate Revenue Engine)

This single channel can generate thousands in affiliate revenue. Pin a guide that walks new members through setting up sportsbook accounts using YOUR referral links. Frame it as "how to follow our plays" — they need an account to actually use your service. Include Kalshi, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and any other books you have deals with. Include screenshots, step-by-step instructions, and bonus details.

Keeping Discord Alive (Critical)

Daily Engagement Loop

Morning: Post the day's slate overview + "who are we watching tonight?"
Afternoon: Drop free plays (2-3 games)
Game time: Live reactions, in-game discussion prompts
Post-game: Results + "how did we do?" discussion
Night: Updated record, tomorrow's preview teaser

Weekly Engagement Tactics

Monday "record reset" with weekly goals
Midweek: Community play-of-the-day contest
Friday: Weekend "confidence board" — rate your plays 1-5 stars
Sunday: Member shoutouts, best wins of the week
Monthly: Free month giveaway for most active member

Free → Paid Conversion Triggers Inside Discord

The free tier should constantly tease premium without being annoying. Here's how:

Passive Triggers (Always Present)

Premium channels are VISIBLE but locked. Free members can see the channel names (#premium-full-card, #premium-breakdowns) but can't access them. This is constant FOMO.

Post premium results in #results with a note: "Premium members had this play 2 hours before everyone else. Upgrade → [link]"

Active Triggers (Timed)

After big premium wins: post in general "premium card went 5-1 tonight. DM for upgrade." On Fridays: "Weekend premium card drops tomorrow — last chance to lock in this month's price." During hot streaks: "We don't go on runs like this often. Lock in while we're hot."

07 Week-by-Week Launch Timeline

From today (Feb 11) to conference tournaments (March 2) to Selection Sunday (March 15) and beyond. Every week has a clear focus.

You have 19 days until conference tournaments start (March 2). This is a sprint. Every day of free analysis between now and then is building the credibility and track record you need to charge money. Do not waste a single day.

Week 1: Feb 11 – Feb 17

FOUNDATION — "Build the Machine"

This week is about infrastructure and establishing the analysis identity.

Set up Discord server with full channel structure (free + paid tiers)
Set up DM automation — test keyword triggers (HOOPS, GAME, BALL)
Start posting 1 free analysis/day on IG Stories + Feed (clean language only)
Begin tracking record publicly (create a simple graphic template)
Update IG bio: "Best Ball Knowledge on IG 🏀 Daily game breakdowns" + Discord link
Post 2 TikToks/day — continue entertainment, add "follow IG for breakdowns" to every video
Secure 2-3 sportsbook affiliate deals beyond Kalshi
Create #getting-started guide in Discord with all affiliate links
Seed Discord with 20-30 friends/initial members so it doesn't feel empty
Set up unit tracking spreadsheet (internal only — never post unit language publicly)

50+

Discord Members

Analysis Posted

14+

TikToks

Week 2: Feb 18 – Feb 24

CREDIBILITY — "Stack the Receipts"

This week is about building a track record and growing the free community.

Increase to 2-3 free plays/day on Discord + 1 analysis post/day on IG
Post daily results content (IG Stories + Discord) — "called it" energy, clean language
Launch first IG Carousel breakdown (deep matchup analysis)
Run first keyword campaign — "DM HOOPS for today's breakdown" on 3+ Stories
Post first "community wins" content — screenshot Discord reactions
TikTok: Start "March Madness countdown" series (entertainment + analysis blend)
Begin conference tournament preview content (conference-by-conference)
First Discord community contest (best play of the day, everyone votes)
Track and share 2-week record publicly via clean graphic

200+

Discord Members

14+

Plays on Record

100+

DM Subscribers

Week 3: Feb 25 – Mar 1

HYPE — "Pre-Launch the Paid Tier"

Conference tournaments start in days. Time to pre-sell the premium experience.

Announce premium tier — "founding member" pricing, limited spots
Share full 2-3 week track record in a dedicated IG post + Discord announcement
Activate conference tournament keyword — "DM MARCH for the breakdown"
Create March Madness community content — "join us for the tournament run"
TikTok: Conference tournament preview series (1-2 videos per major conference)
IG: Daily countdown Stories — "X days until conference tournaments"
Discord: Tease what premium will look like — "here's what premium members will get starting March 2"
Open early-bird pricing (24-48 hour window with discount)
Create "getting started" guide for March Madness newcomers (drives FTDs)
Personal DMs to most engaged Discord members — invite to premium

500+

Discord Members

25-50

Paid Subs Target

50+

FTDs Driven

Week 4: Mar 2 – Mar 8

LAUNCH — "Conference Tournaments Begin"

Games are live. Premium is open. Content velocity goes to maximum.

Premium analysis dropping daily for conference tournament games
Free tier gets 1-2 plays/day, premium gets the full 5-8 play card
IG: 2-3 Stories sequences per day, 1-2 Reels, results content (all clean language)
TikTok: 3+ videos/day — game reactions, analysis reveals, celebrations
Discord: Game-day live threads, real-time discussion, in-game updates
Post every win loudly — "called it" energy, screenshot reactions
Re-engagement DMs for people who haven't converted yet
Push sportsbook affiliate links in Discord — "conference tournaments are the perfect time to get set up"
Mid-week conversion push: share premium record vs. free record in Discord

100+

Paid Subscribers

1000+

Discord Members

150+

Total FTDs

Week 5+: Mar 9 – Mar 15 (Selection Sunday)

SCALE — "March Madness Mode"

Championship week is peak conversion time. March Madness bracket content goes viral. Scale everything.

Championship games = highest engagement content of the year
Bracket content (analysis, bracket challenge in Discord)
Selection Sunday special — live reaction content, First Four preview
"Last chance to lock in March Madness pricing" — urgency push (in Discord/DMs only)
March Madness community package for the full tournament
This is when casual fans participate for the FIRST TIME — maximum FTD opportunity
Create a bracket challenge in Discord (free entry, premium members get bonus analysis)

200-500

Paid Subscribers

2000+

Discord Members

500+

Total FTDs

08 Pricing & Monetization Strategy

Two tiers, founding member pricing, and the affiliate stack that multiplies your revenue. Pricing language is Discord/DM only — never posted publicly.

Subscription Tiers

Courtside (Low Tier) — $19/month

Volume Play

What's included:

Full daily card (all plays, every game)
Access to #premium-full-card channel
Daily results tracking
Premium chat access

Founding member price: $15/month (first 100 members, locked in forever)

Target audience: Casual members who want the plays without analysis. Volume-driven — you want hundreds of these.

VIP (Mid Tier) — $59/month

Margin Play

Everything in Courtside, plus:

Detailed breakdowns with reasoning for every play
Early access (plays dropped 2+ hours before public)
Direct access to the team (#ask-the-team channel)
Weekly "best plays" ranking (1-5 star confidence)
Exclusive conference tournament / March Madness deep dives

Founding member price: $45/month (first 50 members)

Target audience: Serious members who want the "why" and want to learn.

March Madness Special Packages

Limited-time tournament packages (in addition to monthly tiers): Offer a flat-rate "Conference Tournaments + March Madness" package. Something like $79 for the full tournament run (March 2 – April 6). This captures people who don't want a monthly commitment but will pay for the event. Promote this heavily starting Week 3 — inside Discord and DMs only.

Affiliate Revenue Strategy

Partner	Estimated CPA	Integration Point	Target FTDs
Kalshi	Per deal terms	Discord #getting-started, dedicated IG content (clean framing)	100+
DraftKings	$100-200/FTD	Discord onboarding guide, "where to get started" DM flow	150+
FanDuel	$100-200/FTD	Same as above — many users will sign up for multiple books	150+
BetMGM / Caesars / Others	$75-150/FTD	Secondary recommendations in getting-started guide	100+

Revenue Projection (Conservative, March only): 200 paid subs x $25 avg/month = $5,000/month in subscription revenue. 500 FTDs x $150 avg CPA = $75,000 in affiliate revenue. Total potential: $80K+ in the March Madness window alone. The affiliate FTD revenue dwarfs subscriptions — this is why the #getting-started channel and sportsbook onboarding content are so critical.

Payment Infrastructure

Use one of these to manage subscriptions and Discord role assignment:

Whop

Built for Discord communities. Handles payments, auto-assigns roles, supports tiers. Popular in the sports community space. Low friction.

LaunchPass

Similar to Whop. Discord-native subscription management. Supports trials, multiple tiers, and automatic access revocation if payment lapses.

Stripe + Manual

More control, more work. Use Stripe for payments and manually assign roles, or use a bot like Ticket Tool to automate. Good for custom flows.

09 Metrics & KPIs

What to track weekly to know if the funnel is working. If a number is off, you know exactly where to fix.

Funnel Metrics (Track Weekly)

Metric	What It Tells You	Target	If Below Target
TikTok → IG Follow Rate	Is TikTok driving IG growth?	200+ new IG followers/week	Increase IG CTAs in TikTok content
DM Trigger Rate	Are people DMing keywords?	10-15% of Story viewers DM	Improve CTA placement / keyword choice
DM → Discord Rate	Are DM subscribers joining Discord?	50-60% of DM subs join	Improve DM copy / reduce friction
Discord Free → Paid Rate	Is the free tier converting?	5-10% of free members upgrade	Improve premium teasing / track record
Discord Retention (30-day)	Are paid members staying?	70%+ month-over-month	More engagement, better analysis, community value
FTD Conversion Rate	Are members signing up through your links?	30-40% of new Discord members	Improve #getting-started guide, add incentives
Analysis Win Rate	Are you actually winning?	53%+ (standard -110 vig)	Review your analysis process — this is existential
IG Reach per Post	Is the algorithm suppressing you?	Steady or growing week-over-week	Audit captions/hashtags for banned words (see Section 05)

Weekly Dashboard Template

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New IG Followers

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DM Subscribers

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Discord Joins

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Paid Conversions

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FTDs Driven

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Analysis Record

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Avg IG Reach

Track these numbers every Sunday night. Build a simple spreadsheet. If any number is trending down, you know exactly which part of the funnel to fix. The funnel only works if every step converts at a healthy rate — one weak link kills the whole thing. Pay special attention to IG Reach — if it drops suddenly, you probably slipped a banned word into a caption.

SIDELINE BROS — March Madness Launch Playbook

Prepared February 2026

Conference Tournaments: March 2 → Selection Sunday: March 15 → Final Four: April 4

"The best community is one that makes people money AND makes them feel like they belong to something."