5 Ways to Promote Sports on Social Media

Many consumers look for sports content on social media and sports leagues are turning to digital offerings to draw younger fans. The sports industry is broadening its horizons as the practice of watching and following sports on social media continues to grow. Here are five ways to promote sports on social media.

1. Offer exclusive Instagram stories

The off-the-cuff nature of Instagram Stories removes some of the "corporate" feel of sports content and allows athletes and teams to give followers what appear to be candid, behind-the-scenes videos.

They may show training sessions and other content fans have never seen before. It is entertaining for them to see players in a relaxed, natural environment and experience intimate moments of their lives on and off the field. Instagram

Exclusive content is particularly important to younger viewers and brands have become more conscious of the need to use the right type of content on the right platform. Using Greenfly's social media software for sports marketing makes sure fans stay connected with a favorite sports team, league or athlete.

2. Use live streaming

As audiences become used to using platforms like Netflix, long-form viewing of all types has increased on all online channels. Social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook partner with sports organizations to broadcast real-time content.

The MLB has broadcast agreements with Facebook to produce games online and Facebook has also been live streaming games in India for free due to a deal it signed with La Liga. The club has managed to expand its visibility and reach a whole new audience in a country with over a billion people.

More and more people are able to access sporting event content through live streaming, thanks to the widespread use of mobile phones. Sports live streaming offers new revenue streams to sports leagues and sponsors as well as social networks and an opportunity for viewers to watch more conveniently than ever before.

3. Practice live-tweeting

Today people turn to Twitter for any event, especially sports games. Live-tweeting is a very popular way for broadcasters and teams to keep the audience up to date. Someone who is working while a favorite team is playing can simply receive Twitter notifications to keep up with the action and follow the game. Real-time live-tweeting keeps fans highly engaged.

Tottenham Hotspurs, for example, uses Twitter to build hype before a match, provide play-by-play updates during a game and fans can vote for their favorite players after the match.

4. Promote memes and humorous content

One of the big functions of social media is to show the human side of players so fans can connect with them. Content that makes fans laugh is very popular and tends to promote many likes, shares and comments.

Major teams are using memes and humor to show off their personalities and some of their posts are going viral. There is plenty of playful content on TikTok, for example, where players perform dances and give challenges.

5. Align with social causes

Sports teams and athletes today are notably using their platforms to take a stand on social and political issues. Athletes are giving back to local communities, whether helping to clean up the environment or work with children.

Teams are humanizing themselves by covering local charity events and initiatives that impact their fans. The MBL recently focused on players protesting in support of racial justice and the response was largely positive. Taking such a stand may alienate some fans but the teams and players see speaking out as a responsibility and a way to show authenticity to followers.