SCC Blog

Four Twitter Tips

In our second installment of the new “guest blog” format, we are excited for the opportunity to share some excellent insight on the “art” of twittering, one of the newest strategies seemingly taking the sports marketing world by storm.  Our guest, Allison Bender, is the Director of Promotions at Boise State University Athletics and has been active in the development and implementation of a twitter campaign for the Broncos.  Today Allison shares with us several valuable tips to consider when working with twitter.  For more information about Bronco sports, please click here to visit the Boise State University Athletics webpage.

Four Twitter Tips

By Allison Bender, Director of Promotions, Boise State University Athletics

As I’m sure you know, everyone is talking about Twitter.  It’s the social media outlet that allows an organization to reach consumers almost anywhere at almost anytime.  You get to describe what you are doing in 140 characters or less.  Celebrities and pro athletes use it to keep fans up to date on their daily routines; teams use it for promotions, breaking news and score updates, and the regular Joes use it to let their friends know where they’re having coffee or to ask for a restaurant suggestion.  Collegiate Athletics is breaking into this new frontier with some skepticism.  The amount of information that can be relayed using this type of media is abundant for athletic departments.  With anywhere from 12 to 21 intercollegiate sport teams, the amount of information available can be overwhelming.  As a sports information director or marketing assistant, you get the lucky job of choosing what and when to “tweet”.  As I’m researching twittering “best practices” for my job, several important criteria have become very clear.  What I have learned so far, I will impart with you in these four tips.

Tip #1 – Have information that can’t be found anywhere else

A common use for Twitter is to just connect the RSS feed from your sports website to Twitter.  This is a huge mistake if it is the ONLY information you are sending through Twitter.  The mobility of Twitter and its messages is definitely an advantage.  The reason people follow your feed is they want information that can’t be found anywhere else or BEFORE anyone else reports it.  Just make sure you follow the rules.  Pro teams don’t have to follow NCAA regulations or worry about privacy acts. In a comments section on a Twitter blog by Mark Cuban, username JT posts …“I’m a huge Chicago Bears fan living in Dallas. I found out about the big trade for Jay Cutler through twitter. Before it was on ESPN, sports radio, or any other media outlet, I had the info from a Bears beat writer on Twitter before he got a chance to write a column or blog.” 

Tip #2 – Provide incentives to get them to your website or for following you on Twitter 

Amongst your more intriguing and one-of-a-kind tweets, push incentives for apparel, tickets and rewards for visiting your website.  You can’t always say what you need to through Twitter, but you can get them excited enough to visit your website to fill out a questionnaire or survey for a prize or reward.  Make them feel special for taking the time to visit your website from a tweet.  The Phoenix Business Journal reports that the Phoenix Suns are incorporating Twitter into their website.  Michael Murdock quotes in the comments section, “More teams should look for ways to connect with the fans. Shaq & the Suns have chosen to do it with giving tickets away (and they are AWESOME SEATS) so if you ever have the chance to win some, don’t pass it up!”

Tip #3 – Let them know what they are missing out!

During games, provide updates on scores, the halftime half court shooter won a Dodge truck, celebrities attending the game, the mascot just tripped on a lady’s purse, and so on… make them wish they purchased a ticket and were not missing any of the action!

Tip #4 - Notify them of ticket specials and new packages

In this economy, everyone is looking for a good deal.  Make sure you are getting the word out about your individual game ticket specials, mini-plans, flex plans, half season tickets, child discounts, group discounts and so much more! 

A great start can only lead to greater things. 

About today’s guest blogger, Allison Bender:

Allison Bender is the Director of Promotions at Boise State University Athletics.  Originally from Idaho, she is a graduate of the University of Montana where she received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management and a minor in communication studies.  She went on to work nearly 2 years at the University of Montana before coming home to Boise State to join the Broncos Athletics family.  In addition to her work on the twitter campaign, Allison worked on the Capital One “Mascot Challenge” campaign and is currently helping with a secondary logo campaign for the entire athletic department.

*** Questions for Classroom Discussion ***

1. What is social marketing?  Is twitter an example?  What are some other examples?

2. How are sports and entertainment organizations using social marketing?

3. What career paths may be available in the sports and entertainment industries where an understanding of social marketing may be helpful?

4. Could your class use twitter to promote your school sports, events or entertainment?  How?  Discuss as a class.

Posted in Guest Blog Entry, Social issues |

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