The Social Media Explosion
Jan 21st, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jan 21st, 2011 at 12:00 AM
National Professional Anglers Association members heard more about social networking than any other topic at their Jan. 7-9 annual conference. Steve Worrall, co-owner of OutdoorsFIRST Media, a comprehensive website and marketing company said, “You will be left behind if you don’t get into social networking.”
With a series of websites for many specific topics from whitetails to walleyes, the Rhinelander, Wisconsin based company owner also claimed, “We ARE social networking.” Their video upload site, upload.outdoorsfirst.com, is the ‘YouTube’ of the walleye, whitetail, ice fishing, and musky world. People can upload videos to these highly targeted audiences. “Face time on the internet is the way to win,” Worrall said, and he reminded the audience, “Content is king.”
OutdoorsFIRST employee Thomas Allen, a social network expert said, “If you’re not doing this as pros, you should be. This is a very important part of marketing.” He added, “Unique content is the lifeblood of social networking when using it for business and marketing.”
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| Thomas Allen’s Social Media presentation set the tone of the 2011 NPAA Conference. |
Allen cited recent statistics about social networking, which he said is the least expensive media. Facebook has 500,000,000 active users, which has doubled in the past two years, with an average age of 38. They spend 700 billion minutes on Facebook each month. Twitter and YouTube each have 100,000,000 active users. YouTube receives two billion hits per day.
“Social media is an interaction between people that share common interests,” Allen said. He does podcasts (radio shows) on OutdoorsFIRST sites, with the unique content being interviews with the pro anglers. “Let the public know you,” he said. Outdoors First handles Facebook for eight companies. One client, Frabill, jumped from 520 users to 3,700 per month, and 200 to 240,000 Facebook views per month.
He advocated that to optimize efforts, pro anglers publish in as many venues as possible to benefit sponsors and fans. “People need your content. They live vicariously through your information. They want to follow you,” he said. To drive traffic to your site, give stuff away, offer cutting-edge tips or controversial topics, add pictures and video.
“Get started, get involved, even if on a small scale,” he said. Allen, Worrall and TJ DeVoe at OutdoorsFIRST assist anglers and companies. Once familiar with social networking, he insisted anglers keep quality and content updated often. “Share what you do,” he urged, “This is an extremely effective marketing tool.”
Pat Neu, NPAA executive director said, “Social networking is the future. It will help the world to understand that we love the sport, and bring new people into fishing.” Gary Parsons, a founding NPAA board member said, “Social media is the greatest new way to promote.” The website he co-owns, The Next Bite, also has been involved with social media. “Not every angler can appear on TV, but they can teach the “hard-core” anglers that visit The Next Bite every day what they know and have learned on the tournament trail. Build friends and relationships on the web, and use your own name,” he said. New products that got a big boost from social media on his site include Fin-Tech tackle, the Mustad Slow-Death hook and Berkley Flicker Shads.
Scott Glorvigen, also a NPAA founder and co-owner of G2 Gemini, said, “Social media works big time.” The majority of their performance wear is sold via the internet. Bruce DeShano, owner of Off Shore Tackle said, “I want video tips and clips for our site. They really get noticed.” Ryan Chuckle, AIM chairman of the board said a new section of their website will soon allow anglers to upload photos, videos, stories and content to promote themselves and their sponsors.
The theme of the conference was, “It’s all about the sport.” After hearing so many industry leaders discuss social media, it could have been, “It’s all about the sport you showcase on Facebook, Twitter and the internet.” More conference stories and news are posted at npaa.net.
The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Supporting partners include Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Yamaha Marine, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, The Next Bite, Oahe Wings and Walleyes Guide Service, Outdoor First Media, Advanced Tex Screen Printing, Worldwide Marine Underwriters, ProStaffGear.com, FLW Outdoors, AIM, North American Media Group, Frabill, John Butts Outdoors, Prairie Pillow Sportsman’s Lodge, J.J. Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, U.S. Forest Service, Great Lakes Sea Grant, Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Berkley, Liddle Marketing, FPS Financial Planning Services, Do-it Corp., Optima Batteries, Pasha Lake Cabins, National Fleet Graphics, G2 Gemini and Fish On Kids Books. More NPAA member and association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net. Call Pat Neu, executive director, 920-856-6151 with questions.