_Aug/increasingengagement.jpg "Increasing Engagement")
It’s hard to ignore the fact that there are 645 million Twitter users sharing millions of 140-character (or less) messages daily. Instagram recently topped 150 million users, and the image-driven platform is a great tool to showcase the beauty of your course.
How do you, as a golf course operator, increase engagement through Twitter and Instagram? First, it should be mandatory for all courses to have accounts, using the same handles for both to eliminate confusion (i.e., @wearegolf). Make your handle and any specific facility or event hashtags (i.e., #NGD14 for National Golf Day) visible online, on site and in print materials. Once you’ve done this, you’re ready to engage.
To pique someone’s interest in three seconds is difficult. Ask questions to let their voice be heard. Encourage “raving fans” to share updates while at your course. The message is more valuable and genuine when it comes from your guests and members.
Next, get your team involved in the social strategy. Create social media internships or empower millennial employees, with the proper oversight, to manage accounts daily. Set mandatory posts per week to ensure your audience receives consistent messages.
Finally, golf is #fun! Review scheduled posts with your team, but allow them to stretch their imagination and post unique videos and images.
—Glenn Gray