Hashtags in Sports

Courtesy Athelon Sports

Sports franchises are like businesses in that they benefit from engaging with their customers – or fans. This engagement can come in many different forms and serve many different purposes. One emerging tool for generating engagement from sports fans is the hashtag. I really like this move as I see more and more teams putting it into play (no pun intended).

Before we go any further, let’s define a hashtag.

From Dictionary.com:  A word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#), used within a message to identify a keyword or topic of interest and facilitate a search for it.

HASHTAG TRENDS  Many people associate hashtags with Twitter but other social media outlets are adopting them, including Google+ and Facebook. We've seen hashtags used in visual ads (billboards, print, TV, etc.) for a few years. Now we’re seeing franchises and schools feature hashtags all over their stadiums to tap into the realm of fandom.

WHY DO TEAMS USE HASHTAGS? I admire the way the Washington Nationals have embraced hashtags and used #Natitude to connect with their fans. As a Chicago Cubs fan, I don’t know much...er... anything about on-field success. However, I like to think that a team begins trending towards success when fans become more engaged. And in today’s world, engaging with fans – or customers – requires the use of social media.

Courtesy GeoffLivingston.com

WHAT’S NEXT FOR HASHTAGS IN SPORTS? I look for teams and schools to continue the use of hashtags and even incorporate them more into the beginning of their annual campaigns. It could be that teams adopt a new hashtag each season to reflect a theme, goal or persona. I’m no guru but as long as social media stays relevant, I feel that the use of hashtags in sports will only grow.

If you like to check out stats associated with hashtags, be sure to visit hashtags.org.

Which professional or collegiate teams are doing a great job with hashtags? Let me know your opinion by leaving a comment below.  Thanks!