Five Social Media Lessons from the NFL
It’s here! It’s finally here! No, it’s not Christmas in September – although the excitement is right up there… Today is the day football (the American variety) returns to TV! Tonight, the NFL kicks off the 2012-2013 season with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the New York Giants, and already there’s pigskin passion in the air! So to channel this gridiron giddiness and football fervor into something productive, here are five social media lessons gleaned from the NFL!
Stories Sell: Tim Tebow was definitely not the best quarterback of the 2011-2012 season, and yet the Denver Broncos play-maker was one of the most talked-about players. Why – because Tim Tebow – as an underdog, and as a unique player within the NFL – had a story worth telling. Much like sports, in social media, sometimes you don’t have to be the best, you just need to have a winning story.
Play to Your Strengths: There’s a reason the New England Patriots have been one of the top teams year after year – they play to their strengths. With a coach who can continuously keep the competition on their toes, and a field general who can knock any opponent back on their heels, the Patriots have a strong framework on which to build. When it comes to planning your social media programs, identifying your company’s strengths is pivotal. Whether it’s producing great content, getting your audience involved, or bringing in new people and perspectives – whatever your company does best should be the foundation of your social strategy.
Value over Hype: This offseason, the Miami Dolphins were excited to acquire Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. In training camp, Johnson was proving to be every bit the stand-out receiver the Dolphins expected, and Miami’s offensive outlook for the season was looking promising. However, Johnson’s behavior off the field greatly diminished the value he could offer to the team and so despite the hype and expectations, the Dolphins cut Chad Johnson. In the social sphere, new tools and popular trends may hold a lot of promise as well, but if the value to your company is questionable it’s best to play it safe and keep any potential risks off the field.
Never Quit: To get to the NFC Championship last year, the San Francisco 49ers pulled off a clutch, fourth quarter rally to upset the heavily favored New Orleans Saints. With nine seconds left on the clock, quarterback Alex Smith closed out the contest with a game-winning touchdown pass to Vernon Davis. On a day to day basis, your customers may be depending on you to come through for them in key moments – no matter how much time is left in the day. As difficult as it may be, you need to always be ready for that last second drive to surprise and delight on the social media stage.
Keep Your Fans Engaged: Home field advantage doesn’t come from the stadium; it comes from the fans. The adrenaline boost alone from a cheering crowd can push a player or a team to an almost supernatural level of play. In 2011, Comcast Sports Network Philadelphia teamed up with the Philadelphia Eagles to get fans as involved and engaged online as they were on game-days. Using a SnapApp sweepstakes app, CSN Philadelphia and the Eagles drove 25% more likes in five days alone, and drummed up 64% more mailing list sign-ups. These results – which you can view in more detail here – proved to be a win for CSN, the Eagles, and Eagles fans alike!
The beauty of sport is how it translates so well to life. The battles, hardships and challenges overcome by a team on a field can serve as valuable lessons for teams playing their games elsewhere in offices, board rooms, or online. Do you have any lessons you’ve learned through sport that apply to professional life? Feel free to share your stories with us in the comments below.
from BostInno http://bostinno.com/channels/five-social-media-lessons-from-the-nfl/