By Constantinos Massonos, Contributor
The Power of Social Media for Athletes
The evolution of social media has changed the way we interact and communicate with each other.
Nowadays, social media are considered the most consumed medium of attention of fans among all other traditional outlets such as TV and radio.
That’s why athletes, teams, and sports organizations are trying to benefit as much as possible from using them.
Why Athletes Need a Social Media Presence
Building a social media presence is an important part of any athlete’s brand-building plan because it allows them to:
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Build a fan base and connect with fans from all over the globe.
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Increase their sphere of influence and sponsorship potential by reaching fans who may never see them compete live.
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Share content directly with traditional media, as journalists now rely mostly on social media for story ideas and sources.
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Tell their story the way they want to, directly to fans and without a middleman.
Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms
One of the most important parts of building a social media presence is choosing the social media recipe that best suits the audience they want to reach.
To determine which social media platforms suit the target audience, athletes have to understand the demographics of each platform.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
It makes no sense to waste time creating content for a platform their audience doesn’t use.
Instead, athletes should invest their time promoting content on platforms relevant to their audience.
Overview of Key Platforms
Facebook is currently at the top of all social media platforms. More than a quarter of the world’s population accesses Facebook at least once a month.
With 68% of all social media users having a Facebook account, it’s a safe bet for any athlete looking to build a fan community through text, photos, and videos.
Twitter has around 200 million users. It is the platform of choice for sporting events and sports governing bodies to inform their followers.
It creates a 360-degree experience of a game or race, the team, and the athletes.
Athletes can use Twitter to maximize exposure and increase social influence.
LinkedIn is a place to conduct business and build a professional network.
Many professional athletes engage with it to explore second career and business opportunities by networking with investors, sponsors, and agents.
YouTube
YouTube is almost as big as Facebook in terms of monthly users.
Video commands more attention than any other media form.
Incorporating video into any athlete’s branding strategy is a must.
The YouTube Partner program also offers an opportunity to earn money based on video views.
Instagram is currently the second most popular platform after Facebook, with over 800 million users and growing.
Sports are visual, and Instagram allows athletes to showcase their everyday life in creative ways using pictures, videos, and text.
The demographic on Instagram is diverse and easy to reach on the go.
Snapchat
Snapchat is the platform of choice for younger audiences and its user base is growing.
It allows athletes to share content in real time, exclusively with their followers.
Social Media Platforms if treated correctly can provide a great opportunity for athletes to utilize the benefits they provide. This can be done with a carefully designed strategy that is aligned to an athlete’s brand building plan. You may contact us at [email protected] for information and guidance on choosing the social media platforms that best suit your target audience.