A while back I talked about how using social networks focused on exclusivity like Path and Facebook Groups can give less social media savvy athletes an outlet in case they want to blow off some steam or share things with their intimate family and friends. This week, I want to talk about how exclusivity can help elevate the brand of athletes who are already doing a good job with social media and want to take it to the next level.
Before I begin, I want to make something clear. I am in no way suggesting that athletes ought to focus on using exclusive networks in lieu of mainstream public social networks, but rather as a complement networks like Twitter and Facebook in order to grow their brand in more creative ways.
Now back in 2008 when I first joined Twitter, it wasn’t long before I got an interesting email. It was titled:
Barack Obama is now following you on Twitter!
At the time, I thought I was so cool. A presidential candidate (and now better known as President Obama) was following what lil ‘ol Canadian ME had to say! It made me feel valued and heard. Then, I found out that it was a well thought out marketing campaign. Mr. Obama followed everyone who followed him back. Oh.
Some time later on, I got my first @mention on there from an NBA athlete. Once again, I was pumped. He responded to one of my questions with a crisp and cool “yup“. I was totally floored.
Even today with tons of athletes responding to fans everywhere, there still isn’t much that can top being recognized by a professional athlete. It can absolutely make a fan’s day. But for athletes who want to get ahead, here’s what they can do:
Leverage Exclusivity to Recognize the ‘Superfans’
With the increase of users and more and more athletes ‘getting it’, getting an @mention may already not mean as much as it once meant anymore. Kids growing up now will find it no big deal that they can holler at their favorite football player on their cell phone because they never had to wait 2 hours in the pouring rain just in hopes to catch a glimpse of their hero and maybe a high five. But for the die hard fans? They’re going to want more than ‘yup’ (I know, spoiled, right?).
Using networks that promote exclusivity and small groups can help give them that. What if instead of an athlete simply replying to your message, they know you personally well enough to ask how your sister or your brother is doing? That would be taking engagement to another level. As an example, I’m going to use Kevin Durant, a fairly well known guy who’s already doing all sorts of great things with his brand (If you’re reading this Kevin, call me!)
- Create a private Facebook Group called KD’s Superfans, and limit it to 35 members.
- Announce a contest on his blog asking readers to provide a YouTube clip of themselves proving that they are Durant’s #1 fan.
- Pick the 35 ‘best’ entrants and give them access to the group.
- Provide them with exclusive personalized content, goodies, and pre-release versions of his shoes. Ex. if Durant enters the 3 Point Contest, the superfans will be the first to know.
- Interact with them on a name by name basis.
Athletes are busy people, I get that. Expecting them to know the names of all their fans is impossible. But in the same way that more and more athletes have found 30 minutes out of their day to interact with fans on Twitter, they can spend an hour a week giving a small group of diehard fans some extra love.
The thing is, superfans will become viral brand ambassadors of their own for Durant. They’ll feel proud to be part of the group – an exclusive group that they had to work to get in and will tell everybody they know that they’re in. Unlike President Obama who added everybody in 08, exclusivity can recognize the special fans for who they are and they’ll be happy to return the favor.
What do you think of using exclusivity to recognize the superfans? Are there other ways that exclusive networks can help elevate athletes’ brands? I’d love to hear your thoughts, please let me know in the comments below!
###
https://stromectol.reviews/# buy ivermectin uk
https://antibiotics.cheap/# antibiotics cheap
over the counter antibiotics [url=https://antibiotics.cheap/#]get antibiotics quickly[/url] online antibiotics
stomach pain semaglutide: tirzepatide versus semaglutide – online pharmacy without prescription
over the counter antibiotics: over the counter antibiotics – over the counter antibiotics
https://semaglutide.life/# side effects of rybelsus
over the counter antibiotics [url=https://antibiotics.cheap/#]buy antibiotics for sinus[/url] antibiotics cheap
https://antibiotics.cheap/# antibiotics cheap
antibiotics cheap: buy antibiotics online safely – antibiotics cheap
https://semaglutide.life/# average weight loss on semaglutide
is mounjaro a semaglutide [url=https://semaglutide.life/#]semaglutide life[/url] rybelsus low blood sugar
Mexican Pharm: online pharmacies in mexico – Mexican Pharm
http://mexicanpharm.com/# pharmacy in mexico online
https://indianmedsdelivery.xyz/# indian pharmacies safe
Canadian Tabs: legitimate canadian online pharmacies – Canadian Tabs
india online pharmacy: buy prescription drugs from india – shop medicine online
top 10 online pharmacy in india [url=http://indianmedsdelivery.com/#]best online pharmacy india[/url] legit online pharmacy
canadian pharmacy phone number: Canadian Tabs – canadapharmacyonline legit
Canadian Tabs [url=https://canadiantabs.xyz/#]canadian pharmacy in canada[/url] Canadian Tabs
Online medicine home delivery: top 10 pharmacies in india – best rx pharmacy online
buy prescription drugs from canada cheap: Canadian Tabs – buy drugs from canada
indian pharmacy: reputable indian pharmacies – reputable overseas online pharmacies
Canadian Tabs [url=https://canadiantabs.xyz/#]canadian drug stores[/url] canadian medications
п»їdog medication online: best pet rx – pet pharmacy online
https://vetpharmfirst.com/# Vet Pharm First
Vet Pharm First: dog prescriptions online – pet meds for dogs
https://vetpharmfirst.shop/# Vet Pharm First
Vet Pharm First: Vet Pharm First – vet pharmacy
https://onlinepharmfirst.com/# pharmacy websites
top online pharmacy: Online Pharm First – medicine online order
Vet Pharm First: Vet Pharm First – Vet Pharm First
Vet Pharm First [url=https://vetpharmfirst.shop/#]pet meds official website[/url] pet meds online
https://vetpharmfirst.com/# Vet Pharm First
ivermectin pills human: ivermectin 10 ml – ivermectin 2%
best mail order pharmacy [url=https://onlinepharmfirst.com/#]Online Pharm First[/url] pharmacy no prescription required
https://ivermectinfirst.shop/# Ivermectin First
Vet Pharm First [url=https://vetpharmfirst.com/#]online vet pharmacy[/url] Vet Pharm First