August 25, 2020 How The Sports Industry Used The Rise Of Social Media

Business can benefit from social media in various ways.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced people to get used to the so-called “new normal”. It’s not surprising to know that many businesses are affected by the global market on lockdown. Companies and various organizations have to find ways to promote products and services to their customers and target market. The same can be said for the sports and entertainment industry.

For many businesses and industries, social media is an essential tool. Startups and established companies understand how crucial an active social media presence is for growth and success. Social sites started gaining popularity in the late 90s when netizens utilized blogs to update their connections about what’s going on with their lives. Fast forward to 2020; there’s already seven major social media sites, namely, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, and Twitter. As of January 2020, according to We Are Social, 3.8 billion people are on social media – that’s almost 60% of the global population!

Social media is an indispensable tool in creating awareness and building a loyal customer base. Businesses can benefit from social media in several ways:

• Social media allows businesses or industries to market their products or services from anywhere in the world.
• Businesses can create content and publish it across various social media channels, allowing users to share information with their connections.
• Different industries can leverage social media to interact with their clients, provide better customer service, and offer valuable insights to their target audience.

The growth in popularity of social media was fueled by the advancements in technology and the increased adeptness of society in using it. The sports industry can now rely on social media software like Greenfly to create and distribute online, encouraging collaboration and enhancing communication.

Social Media And The Sports Industry: Surviving A Pandemic

Social media, without a doubt, has changed the way sports fans watched athletic events, or engaged with their favorite sports team. The sports industry, although considered a billion-dollar industry, has also been severely impacted by COVID-19. Sports events have been cancelled as professional athletes are quarantined, and stadiums are closed.

The entire industry now has to explore other opportunities to create content and engage with sports fans—this is where social media comes in. The sports industry can make use of the popularity of social media in both good and trying times through the following:

1. Boost Loyalty Through Real-Time Engagement
   Professional athletes are celebrities in their very own right. They train and work hard to get to the status they’re in. Sports fans love interacting with their favorite team and professional players, a common sight on Twitter. Sports teams should continue to amplify the interest and passion of their fans by engaging with them real-time.

   With the pandemic keeping many people indoors, a little bit of interesting real-time interaction with your favorite sports superstars won’t hurt. Sports teams can help keep the fire burning in the heart of their sports fans by involving them in discussions or polls on social media.

2. Increasing Sales Through Influencer Marketing
   Sports fans are a very passionate and emotional bunch. They follow their favorite athletes on social media and engage with other fans on these platforms. Case in point: Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has 234.5 million followers on Instagram and almost 128 million followers on Facebook as of this writing.

   It’s no wonder he’s one of the most paid influencers on social media. Sports-related businesses, as well as those involved in health and fitness products and services, know that they can increase revenue by reaching out to a suitable athlete with an excellent social media fan base.

3. Giving Back To The Community By Supporting Various Causes
   How can organizations and companies create loyal and passionate customers on social media? Supporting charitable organizations and promoting various causes online is one way to generate passionate fans while giving back to the community. Professional athletes like Serena Williams and Michael Phelps are known for supporting and creating charities that help children in need, promote gender equality, poverty alleviation, and more.

   Sports organizations, advertisers, and brands can generate more interest and sales by working with athletes and sports teams that use their voice for the less fortunate, and speaking up for important social causes today.

Takeaway

The sports industry is not the only one affected by the pandemic and trying hard to adapt to the new environment. Fortunately, social media allows companies and organizations to continue connecting and engaging with customers and stakeholders. Dedicated sports fans can continue to watch, engage, and share their passion with like-minded individuals.

With the right social media strategy, sports leagues and sports-related businesses can capitalize on real-time engagement and quality content to satisfy the most discerning sports aficionados.

Julie Burns

Julie Burns is a full-time blogger who writes topics on health and wellness, parenting, and business. Julie regularly publishes content on her own blog, and often contributes articles to other websites, as well.

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