digital and social media sports podcast, episode 1 with bryan srabian

Digital and Social Media Sports Podcast, Episode 1 with Bryan Srabian of the San Francisco Giants

What follows are some insights, snippets, and quotes from episode 1 of the Digital and Social Media Sports Podcast...

Listen to the full episode on DSMSports.Net or check out the podcast on iTunes!

@njh287DSMSports.Net


“Social media can be an ear and voice for the brand and communicate fan sentiment across all departments.”



Having a hugely engaged fan base helped spur further growth when the team won. The growing, engaged audience fueled more growth.



“In San Francisco, we KNEW our fans involved in social media and we knew we need to be involved; just needed to figure out how.”



Early steps taken included:- create a strategy for listening to, and

connecting with fans- tactics like behind-the-scene photos, answering

questions, having fun- being an early brand in to really engage fans

was different and led to more growth



Having conversations in real-time allowed for a new kind of connection with the fan base; other departments gradually saw how social media could help them achieve their goals



“Our social media is simply a channel and tools that reflect the team's message points. It is part of marketing – TV, radio, and social media. Everything has to be in sync with the brand.”



“We want to be able to provide information to fans and to be able to listen to our fans and understand what fans think of the team, players, promotions, ticket pricing....We're able to use social media for market research.”



“Everything we do is social media is a credit to our fans. We follow their lead.”



Part of social media is communicating general fan sentiment on important topics for the rest of the organization. Also, directly replying to fans is important.



“There are so many decisions and pivotal moments in the game, that it is so fascinating to see the real-time reactions of fans. The fan engagement and the social chatter is becoming a part of our pastime.”



Because fans are so engaged, sponsors are interested in getting involved in social media.



All of the insights we get by connecting from fans about promotions, ticket pricing, and more are part of social media ROI, along with the direct revenue channels.



Each team, each market is different in how they approach social media. One can say, do we measure all the marketing assets individually? It's not black and white.



The @Cafe is a spot where you can see your tweets, your pictures, what's going on around the ballpark, and all the chatter outside. Selling the idea to management wasn't difficult. This was a trend continuing to grow and they wanted to be in front of it.



“The number one goal of the Cafe was to enhance the fan experience at the ballpark. A lot of it is observing and talking to fans. We take pride that every night AT&T is sold-out and our fans are so passionate and bring excitement all around the park. We're capturing all of that in the Cafe.”



On goal for the future:

We receive a huge number of check-ins and we want to continue to grow that. More MLB At-Bat App customizations at our ballpark. We also plan to look more at Facebook, Vine, and Instagram video and exploring more opportunities with more sponsors and vendors. You have to focus on a few things and optimize.



We're always thinking of new ways to utilize our social media, whether a component of ROI or the latest trend. It's about where are the fans, what do the fans want, and how can we provide it?



Bryan's advice for those seeking a career in sports:

Learn how to understand data, use Photoshop, understand the marketplace. Learn to create real solutions for problems we have and issues in the industry. We're looking for really bright, smart, clever, skilled people.



Video has such potential in the sports space.



On some confusing him with Giants GM Brian Sabean:

“Fans didn't know the same guy doing the club's social media was also making trades...”



Bryan's recommended Twitter follow: Internet writer (Mashable, NY Times, others) Sam Laird, FOLLOW HIM @samcmlaird



Thanks to Bryan for joining the Digital and Social Media Sports Podcast!

FOLLOW BRYAN on Twitter @srabe



For more info on the podcast and to see additional content, check out DSMSports.Net

Follow the host, Neil Horowitz, on Twitter @njh287


digital and social media sports podcast, episode 1 with bryan srabian

Sports

social media sports

social media roi

bryan srabian

njh287 dsmsportsnet

social chatter

fans tactics

realtime reactions of

engaged fan base