Social Media Strategy with the San Diego Chargers

December 12, 2013

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Curious how your social media strategy stacks up against an NFL team?

Would you like to learn social media marketing tactics and strategies that are used by an NFL team?

This week on the Social Media Social Hour, I’m joined by Joel Price of the San Diego Chargers and we talk all about how the Chargers have been using social media to connect with their fan base, drive traffic to their website and build revenue around the content they are creating for social media. I also share with you a new tool I’m using to help schedule meetings and appointments.

About the show:

The Social Media Social Hour is a podcast for marketers and entrepreneurs looking to get on the social media fast track. The podcast is an interview format, where each week I get up close and personal with top brands and influencers to talk social media, tech and online marketing. Each week I also share tools that I personally use to help me with social media management, sales, marketing, account management and productivity.

In this episode, here’s what we’ll cover:

Tech Tool of the week: ScheduleOnce.com – an easy to use meeting and appointment scheduler
Joel Price started out in the industry doing web development and working at NTN Communications, which is now Buzztime.
That position created connections within the NFL that led him to apply for a position with the Chargers.
The Chargers’ website was one of the first of the NFL.
The League now hosts the Chargers’ website and Price’s team creates the content.
Price and his team utilize their content calendars to find ways to give fans the inside view of the team.
They also use their staff Twitter handles in addition to the Chargers’ Twitter account to be able to communicate with fans as much as possible.
Price says they started using social media with Twitter in 2007.
The Chargers were the first NFL team to be on Twitter.
Social media has given them a great way to be direct in communication with fans.
In terms of social media, Price says they are always open to trying new channels.
The NFL really started to embrace Twitter in 2009 during draft season.
With the use of social media during the drafts, the fans get to know the players and their coaches a bit more personally before the season starts.
The League does not allow the use of YouTube or embedding videos.
Price says they post videos to their website, Instagram, and Facebook.
During games they post graphics to the Chargers’ Instagram to keep fans entertained and up to date.
Price uses Adobe Social to post photos to Facebook and Twitter.
With every unique post they consider which social media channels to post the content on.
Price uses Pixlee to look at Instagram photos and geo-target the stadium to see what photos have been posted.
They have been testing out Geofeedia for location-based social, especially for Chargers events.
The players are using social media more and more.
Having a player engage with a fan in real time is almost seen as the new autograph.
Price says that in responding to negative interactions after losses, they have come to pick and choose what they do and don’t respond to based on the validity of the comments versus venting about game outcomes.

Joel Price’s Social Media Six Pack:

After Facebook, what is the social network you prefer most? Twitter
What is the last Facebook page you personally liked? The Patio
What smartphone are you using? iPhone 5
What was the last app you downloaded? LoryStripes
Excluding the Chargers, who is your favorite athlete or team to follow on Twitter? Rory Sutherland (Cyclist)
Who is the most entertaining Charger to follow on Twitter? @DjFluker76