Social Media, friend or? (semi boating related)

[C-2]

Understood. But without the venue, the organizers, the fans, there isn't much left.

The truth is, boat races and poker runs are not spectator friendly. I've always thought sponsors need a reality check and realize their events will never be like the Wide World of Sports. Sponsors, vendors, they need to stop dreaming about conquering the world, and instead focus on those people who actually buy their products.

[HB Vic]

The truth is, boat races and poker runs are not spectator friendly. I've always thought sponsors need a reality check and realize their events will never be like the Wide World of Sports. Sponsors, vendors, they need to stop dreaming about conquering the world, and instead focus on those people who actually buy their products.

Actually events like the one last weekend in Chandler and a few weeks prior in Havasu are very spectator friendly.

My initial post had to do with those who are primarily behind the scenes or are involved with these races. They actually provide a tremendous amount of content. However, I believe to the wrong audience. Or at least not primarily to the right audience.

[C-2]

Actually events like the one last weekend in Chandler and a few weeks prior in Havasu are very spectator friendly.

My initial post had to do with those who are primarily behind the scenes or are involved with these races. They actually provide a tremendous amount of content. However, I believe to the wrong audience. Or at least not primarily to the right audience.

I used to promote Desert Storm, I was one of the original staff members promoting it at a time when everybody on the original HotBoat thumbed their noses at it, back when the city didn't want anything to do with it, and the USCG and every other law enforcement agency on the water was trying to shut it down. I left the run because of that reason, it was an event for participants, not spectators.

That said, I still think sponsors and even event organizers are reaching for the stars, not every motorsport can rise to the level of auto racing. Don't fret too much, they'll figure it out some day. Until then, let them continue to drink the social media kool aid. MySpace nearly evaporated overnight, FB and Twitter could do the same.

[HB Vic]

I used to promote Desert Storm, I was one of the original staff members promoting it at a time when everybody on the original HotBoat thumbed their noses at it, back when the city didn't want anything to do with it, and the USCG and every other law enforcement agency on the water was trying to shut it down. I left the run because of that reason, it was an event for participants, not spectators.

That said, I still think sponsors and even event organizers are reaching for the stars, not every motorsport can rise to the level of auto racing. Don't fret too much, they'll figure it out some day. Until then, let them continue to drink the social media kool aid. MySpace nearly evaporated overnight, FB and Twitter could do the same.

Huge undertaking. Kudos to you or anyone who takes on a project like that.

We're reporters, not promoters

Just trying to figure out a way to draw more attention to these events so everyone wins.

[Sharp shooter]

I feel as though I am a promoter. I promote things and events that I choose to promote. Social media is the best free promotional tool out there IMO. Here's a few examples of the reach I get from Facebook.



My picture thread on PB covering the Pirates Cove show has 50,000 views. In the days before social media, we had to mail out news letters or hope for magazine coverage aside from that the only way to promote was paid advertising or word of mouth.

I keep 2 face book pages. One for V-Drive Video Productions and the other for regular use. I don't get carried away with boating content on my personal facebook page because the average friend isn't interested in that stuff.

[HB Vic]

Nothing wrong with using social media, I don't think I said that. What I'm saying is:

Does your sport or activity relies on a venue?
Does your sport of activity rely on gate revenue to fund the event? (insurance, safety, etc)
Does your sport or activity rely on sponsorship or promotion dollars?
Would your sport or activity be meaningless without spectators or viewers?

Then I would think hard about strictly using social media.

I embellish, but imagine the NFL or NBA going underground and cutting out all of the media outlets completely. Broadcasting strictly on the web for free. It would suck.

Its apparent companies like Lucas Oil believe the sport of boat racing can be something big. Otherwise they wouldn't be involved.

Its a trickle down effect. If there isn't anything at the top to trickle down, then you're trickleless.

[C-2]

My unqualified thoughts and observations...

You can't convince people to enjoy something they don't necessarily like.

Big dollar sponsors can throw all the money want at creating outstanding coverage, but who is watching it? I'm not and could care less because watching boat drags and boat racing is boring. And, I'm a performance boater.

Not to keep on DS, but years ago it was a blast. Why? Because - you ran in the event, you participated in the shotgun starts, the thrill was there. Now, it's watching a couple of really fast boats go by and 30 seconds later, it's over. Woo hoo!

Watching, or reading about a couple guys getting together and coming up with a plan, then building a motor to race a boat and racing that boat - that's bitchen. I know that's why racers do it and most could give two shiats less about winning, or losing, for those same reasons. Deliver that intimate, close-up experience and you'll have a winner. In that regard, social media is a great platform.

How many people are demanding streaming coverage? A couple of hundred, or tens of thousands?

The big dollar guys are riding on theory and ideologies, not reality. Perhaps the market is already capped. Maybe it's as simpla as everybody needs a job and part of that job is creating an illusion there is this giant, untapped market for boat racing? I mean, hasn't this been a rinse and repeat pattern in offshore racing, for years?

Don't let it bother you.

[rioracr]

good example of like NASCAR has a following in each of their pro series bit the Truck races only has those who follow that racing and the Cup racing is more social but they have been around alot longer than boating sites so on this media there are three basic sites and it seems like two that don't really flow together on the surface, there is no reason not to get along as we are all boaters with ideas and like SS said he has two sites cause there are folks that have no clue of boat ownership and we have no clue of doll house building...