Sports betting has surged in popularity in recent years, paralleling a boom in handicapping services offering betting picks and advice. However, the landscape is fraught with little accountability, as truly successful handicappers are less than 5%.

Firstly, it’s crucial to recognize that the sports betting market is extremely competitive and inherently unpredictable. Even the most adept handicappers experience losing streaks, and there’s no assurance that the handicapper you hire can consistently beat the odds long-term. While only a few manage to earn a living from betting, the vast majority do not.

For those not yet winning handicappers, options include:

Skill Enhancement: Improve your betting acumen by diving deep into betting strategies, keeping abreast of industry trends, and honing your handicapping skills through practical experience. This approach focuses on becoming a better bettor by learning from each bet, win or lose.
Marketing Over Merit: Many services sell picks by excelling in marketing rather than in the quality of their predictions. This involves leveraging attractive branding, compelling sales copy, customer testimonials, and initial offers like free or discounted picks to draw in clients. While this can generate sales, it’s not a long-term strategy if the picks don’t deliver.

However, the core of any handicapping business is to sell winners. Effective marketing might boost short-term sales, but consistent losses will send bettors looking for a winner, as bettors’ attention is short.

For those aspiring to sell picks without proven success, honesty is key:

Acknowledge your current skill level and be transparent with potential clients about what they can expect.