THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SPORTS
By Fadzil Hisham
The media is an important instrument in the modern sports industry. Many clubs, associations, unions, and tournament organisers are not aware of the importance of the media. Understanding the functions and benefits of the media is necessary for any sports organisation.
We have heard about some corporate companies being reluctant to invest in or sponsor sports events or teams. This is because the return on investment is not clear and lacks potential. Even though tax exemptions can be an attraction for companies to spend their money on sports, they are still not strong enough to persuade new sponsors.
Every business wants to maximise the return on their investments. They want their money spent in the best way possible. Publicity and popularity can be key factors for consideration. This is where social media can be a good start for clubs and event organisers.
Most people today are glued to their smartphones. They got more information from their smartphones than from the newspaper or television. And the definition of mainstream media is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Therefore, clubs and tournament organisers should maximise their use of social media. It is relatively free and will get your audience closer to you.
There are many social media platforms available at your fingertips. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Blogger, and Youtube are some of the most popular social media sites today. And these social media platforms can link to each other.
For a start, a club or tournament organiser should have a Facebook page. A Facebook page is a public profile specifically created for clubs, events, celebrities, and other organisations. Facebook pages can also function as your club’s or event’s official websites. All official information and announcements can be published here. Build your club’s reputation by inviting more followers to like and share your postings.
Here are a few simple steps to start building your
- Register a Facebook page today or tomorrow. Don’t wait until next week.
- Complete your club or tournament details and upload your logo and some pictures.
- Appoint administrators to manage your page.
- Invite all your Facebook friends to like and follow your page.
- Start posting on your page.
When your club’s or tournament’s Facebook page is up and running, invite as many people as possible to like and follow it. Your committee members should work together to increase the page’s audience. Start posting on the page, and start sharing the post on your personal Facebook account. Link your Facebook page to your Twitter and Instagram accounts. Whatever you post on Facebook will also appear on all your other social media platforms. Respond to your fans’ queries and be engaged with your audience.
These are just some ideas on how to make your club or tournament known to people, wherever they are. It doesn’t matter how big or small your club is, successful or not, having a good marketing plan can build the pathway to success. Start visiting some big clubs’ or tournaments’ pages to get more ideas about what to post on your page. Work as a team and be creative. Keep learning and be innovative. The more fans your page has, the more likely investors and sponsors will be interested in getting involved.
