BBC journalist Naga Munchetty has plenty of experience engaging with audiences. She talks to us about the potential power of social media and how golf can harness it.
BBC journalist Naga Munchetty has plenty of experience engaging with audiences. She talked to us about the potential power of social media and how golf can harness it.
One of the many things I learned between the Cha Cha and the Charleston was that social media is more powerful than you realise. I’ve used Twitter and Facebook for many years now, I’m pretty comfortable about using them and am lucky enough to have been trained to understand what grabs people and how to generate interest and reaction.
Social media was also an invaluable tool to keep up with the fans of the show and supporters of my “dancing”. However, when I look at what many golf clubs and golf companies are doing with social media, I am often finding myself with my head in my hands.
Often the emails which land in my inbox (read: clutter), or the Tweets which appear on my timeline are just plain boring. In an age where most of us use the block delete option to clear out unwanted promotions and general spam, it really takes some clever marketing to grab our attention and make us want to read an email or Tweet.
That isn’t enough by the way, as you also need to make your audience ENGAGE with you. Most of the golf clubs I see using social media are not quite getting it. Good on them for trying but perhaps think about the following:
What is the purpose of the communication? We know you exist so if you’re invading our technological space, make it worth my while. Who are you pitching to? Think about who is using Facebook and Twitter as they are not the same demographic.
Don’t just sell to me all the time. If someone is following your account on Twitter it is because they are interested in what you may have to say, but constant “adverts” for entertainment nights isn’t what they signed up for - there is an email list for that. Show me instead that you are on top of what’s trending in the world of golf and persuade me that you are a source which offers me something different.
This is an extract from the latest Women & Golf magazine, out Friday. Never miss an issue, SUBSCRIBE HERE to Women & Golf or treat a friend this Christmas with a subscription.
