Pro Tips for Engaging Sports Fans in 2021

All sports teams, from local names to global brands, share one continuous goal: Increase fan engagement. 

Sports fans are the glue that keeps everything together. From the fans who watch games religiously on their phones to those who go to stadiums, every fan plays a part. Without fans, teams would have no revenue and no purpose – quite simply, they wouldn’t be able to exist.

Because of this, there is a heavy focus on increasing fan engagement. In a highly competitive world of different sports franchises, teams need to keep existing fans engaged while also finding ways to engage new fans, too – otherwise, they’ll risk potential losses and other negative outcomes.

Right now, the marketing departments of sports teams – from Major League Baseball to the NBA – work tirelessly around the clock to keep fans loyal, happy, and engaged. It’s a tough job for any marketer, even the biggest names like the LA Lakers who, despite having a huge global reach and gigantic fanbase, must stay creative and keep pushing for bigger fan numbers.

With all that said, let’s look at some pro tips for engaging sports fans in 2021. These are a sure-fire way to help you succeed.

Use a fan engagement platform

Fan engagement platforms are an excellent marketing method for increasing fan engagement, and you should consider using a fan engagement platform during the off-season.

Engagement platforms provide your brand the opportunity to share exciting content with fans efficiently and effectively, while posting news and other important brand content – basically, all that good stuff. Through using a fan engagement platform, your social media marketing channels – from Instagram to Twitter – will flow together perfectly and work in harmony; helping you to reach fans in fresh and creative ways.

Remember, loyalty is a big factor in sport, but fans now have an abundance of different sports and teams to follow. These teams are reaching users through social media – and are often successful in getting them to join their fanbase. Don’t hesitate to use a fan engagement platform to give yourself an advantage in this competitive market.

Maintain a high level of focus on your website

In an era when sports fans use social media to state their opinions and communicate with each other, it can be easy to neglect your website. However, your sports team website should still maintain a priority – as it a good source for engagement. The key is to give fans good reason to visit your website, rather than just your social media pages. Remember, fans hold the power – so you need to provide them what they want.

Here are some of the ways you can get fans engaged with your website:

• Post fan content
• Upload behind-the-scenes videos of your team training, as well as exclusive interviews
• Provide match and team updates
• Share match-day content from your stadium
• Break important news and updates
• Have an excellent e-commerce platform, where fans can buy all the merchandise they want
• Make everything mobile-friendly

Communicate with your fans through different channels

One of the best ways to engage sports fans is by engaging with them, first. This should be done through your various marketing channels, from social media to email subscriptions. Make sure to regularly create surveys, polls, and questionnaires for your fans that will make them feel part of the team. For example, if you are creating a new jersey for your team, ask fans what colors and design they want it to be.