Social Media's Role in Shaping the Future of Sports Marketing
If you're anything like me, you've probably noticed how social media has become a critical part of the sports marketing world. From live-tweeting games to viral campaigning, it is clear that sports marketing is constantly changing. With social media at the forefront, we will dive into some insights and predictions about the future of social media in sports.
The most important thing to focus on is engagement. Social media has had the amazing ability to bring fans closer than ever to the live action. From stories to live feed, there are so many possibilities to bring fans closer. One trend we have seen dramatically increase is live feed “Mic’d Up” videos. These videos take athletes live in game and essentially have an interview while they are playing. This is a cool experience that has allowed fans to feel like they are watching from within the brain of these athletes. Athletes share what they are seeing within the game and will predict what happens during a play. This new method on social has brought fans as close as they can to being live within the game and not only does it entertain but athletes get educated by some of the best in their sport.
While engagement is very critical in shaping the future if sports marketing, the future of social media is also being shaped by influencer marketing. Influencer marketing involves partnering with athletes/social media influencers where brands can reach new audiences and build true connections with their consumers. Using influencers reputation of trust and loyalty to their following allows brands to build more trust around theirs. Brands have found that influencer marketing will not only help businesses in the short term but will create overall trust and loyalty in the long term, allowing businesses to expand markets on international levels.
So, what does the future hold for social media in sports marketing? If these two trends continue to prove success, there are endless amounts of possibilities. Technology is constantly evolving and with new features like AI and VR, there are so many possibilities. One example that is beginning to emerge is VR live events. Using VR headsets like the Apple Vison Pro have allowed for fans to feel like they are sitting courtside at a basketball game, all while sitting in the comfort of their home. Technology like this could never have been imagined 10 years ago and the future is very promising. Social media isn't just changing the game, it's shaping the future of sports marketing.
Works Cited:
Pistechs. (2023, June 20). Future of social media marketing and AI in the world. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-social-media-marketing-ai-world-pistechs
Rolling Stone Culture Council. (2023a, July 14). How social media in sports marketing is changing the game. How Social Media in Sports Marketing is Changing the Game. https://council.rollingstone.com/blog/how-social-media-in-sports-marketing-is-changing-the-game
Tours, I. D. (2023, December 10). The Future of Sports Marketing: 13 trends to watch in 2024 and Beyond. Indoor Drone Tours for Real Estate. https://indoordronetours.com/sports-marketing-trends/
