Kishar Ahmed
Sports are no longer limited to the stadium. Whenever there is any news about a game or team, one of the first places where it is shared is on social media. Millions of fans prefer to follow their teams online and use their laptops and smartphones for the purpose.
The sports industry is best suited to take advantage of digital marketing. Whether fans are putting out their reactions in social media or checking team scores or are engaged in sports betting, they are constantly on social media while watching their favorite teams. Here are some steps to create a great sports digital marketing campaign.
- Go where your fans are – Millions of people are watching a game from all parts of the world and are subsequently interacting on social media. Brands should create engaging content that is appropriate to the channel the fans are using. For example, Twitter can offer live feed and Instagram can showcase images of the game as well as some behind-the-scene ones.
- Build momentum – To enhance engagement on social media, digital marketers need to build up momentum. Whether it is during an exciting game or the days leading to it, marketers can encourage engagement by creating contests or hashtags that engage fans. For example, betting sites can offer $20 vouchers, sporting apparel companies can offer product awards and sporting event organizers can offer free tickets.
- Set goals – Similar to any other marketing strategy, digital marketing is effective only when there are specific goals set. Are you looking to just create awareness and broaden your reach? Or do you want a specific engagement? Your strategy will depend on your goal. It will help a lot to be clear of what you want and direct your efforts accordingly.
- Create a plan – An effective marketing campaign for sports cannot just be a bunch of random posts; it must follow a real-time strategy. The excitement and energy of sports only exists in the moment, so it is crucial that brands engage in real time.
Sports fans are highly engaged in social media during sporting events. Therefore, brands that are able to connect with them during the exciting moments will be able to broaden their reach and drive engagement.
