Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sports and Social Media
The Cincinnati Enquirer's Dustin Dow wrote a story today that was featured on the front page of the Sports section. Dustin and I chatted about the story in advance and how sports teams and athletes can embrace social media. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090314/SPT02/303140060/1062/SPT
Here are a few thoughts for teams and athletes to use social media for fan development (read: an increase in ticket sales, merchandise, concessions, etc):
-Create a Digital Media Network using social media platforms such as Youtube.com, Facebook.com, Twitter.com and/or 12seconds.tv. There are more options but these have the most users and are probably most familiar with fans).
All of these platforms should be linked to the team's web site to encourage interaction and awareness.
-Pick one player to be the face of the Network, perhaps a younger player who might have used Facebook in college.
The player should have an i-phone or PDA with video and photo capability to use 12seconds.tv and Twitterpic to make the content more inviting.
-Help the player but make it transparent. It's okay for the team to assist the player with posts and information sharing but let fans and followers know this.
-Use traditional media to communicate the Digital Media Network. Post the Twitter username on the scoreboard or create a game-day promotion with Facebook fans.
-Have fun with it. @Real_Shaq, the Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal is using Twitter to give tickets to fans on street corner, and at the time of this blog post, Shaq had 209,000 followers on Twitter.
-Of course, some teams, especially Major League teams, may have restrictions that will limit use of social media with the team web site. If this is the case, think about using social media for community relations projects and/or youth membership programs.
A team might consider using Facebook for College Ticketing promotional program to alert fans to special promotions tied to a Facebook code.
Whichever route a team chooses, they have to embrace social media now.
Here are a few thoughts for teams and athletes to use social media for fan development (read: an increase in ticket sales, merchandise, concessions, etc):
-Create a Digital Media Network using social media platforms such as Youtube.com, Facebook.com, Twitter.com and/or 12seconds.tv. There are more options but these have the most users and are probably most familiar with fans).
All of these platforms should be linked to the team's web site to encourage interaction and awareness.
-Pick one player to be the face of the Network, perhaps a younger player who might have used Facebook in college.
The player should have an i-phone or PDA with video and photo capability to use 12seconds.tv and Twitterpic to make the content more inviting.
-Help the player but make it transparent. It's okay for the team to assist the player with posts and information sharing but let fans and followers know this.
-Use traditional media to communicate the Digital Media Network. Post the Twitter username on the scoreboard or create a game-day promotion with Facebook fans.
-Have fun with it. @Real_Shaq, the Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal is using Twitter to give tickets to fans on street corner, and at the time of this blog post, Shaq had 209,000 followers on Twitter.
-Of course, some teams, especially Major League teams, may have restrictions that will limit use of social media with the team web site. If this is the case, think about using social media for community relations projects and/or youth membership programs.
A team might consider using Facebook for College Ticketing promotional program to alert fans to special promotions tied to a Facebook code.
Whichever route a team chooses, they have to embrace social media now.
