Social Media Influencers

[peanut]

I’m not up to speed on social media, but my understanding is that the kids are really into it—wrestlers and non-wrestlers alike.

So that leads me to wonder whether there are any NCAA wrestling social-media outreach efforts? I’d imagine free seats to big events and invitations to influencers who know about wrestling would pay dividends.

Jake Paul I think wrestled? Lots of MMA dudes wrestled. Even MMA journalists might attend a big college event. The upcoming dual between PSU and tOSU sees like a perfect event for social media.

So my question is, is anything happening in that space? I suspect that social media outreach would attract attention to the sport, to the teams involved in an event, and to potential recruits. 

[Rassling]

What you’re referring to is promoting the sport and that’s been discussed here a number of times over the years. Minimal input from those who have all the answers. You know the out of shape has-beens sipping tea from one of these mugs. 

 

 

[MPhillips]

17 minutes ago, Rassling said:

all the answers

We know you're just a child. Do your parents know how much time you're spending on the internet?

[Rassling]

8 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

We know you're just a child. Do your parents know how much time you're spending on the internet?

Lol, who are you kidding. You’re the epitome of that mug - you and that other buffoon. Two ankle biting clowns who probably go their ass kicked on and off the mat often.

[JWC]

1 hour ago, peanut said:

I’m not up to speed on social media, but my understanding is that the kids are really into it—wrestlers and non-wrestlers alike.

So that leads me to wonder whether there are any NCAA wrestling social-media outreach efforts? I’d imagine free seats to big events and invitations to influencers who know about wrestling would pay dividends.

Jake Paul I think wrestled? Lots of MMA dudes wrestled. Even MMA journalists might attend a big college event. The upcoming dual between PSU and tOSU sees like a perfect event for social media.

So my question is, is anything happening in that space? I suspect that social media outreach would attract attention to the sport, to the teams involved in an event, and to potential recruits. 

Flo does a good job of multi channel marketing. If you get on the socials and look for the Flo people, watch them during events you will see their use of influencers

[MPhillips]

11 minutes ago, Rassling said:

Lol, who are you kidding. You’re the epitome of that mug - you and that other buffoon. Two ankle biting clowns who probably go their ass kicked on and off the mat often.

Bless your heart...

[Konquest]

It is incredibly, incredibly hard to do the work (editing, filming, promotional appearances, etc.) while simultaneously being a student-athlete.  Cayden Henschel is kind of the blueprint, and we all know he probably didn't have the career on the mats that he would have hoped for as a D2 athlete who was top-ranked at several points in his career.  Now he's kind of the man as far as "wrestling influencers" go, and he 100% deserves whatever success he's getting.  Kelly Dunnigan from Penn is dipping his toes into vlogging, and it seems as though David Carr is trying to make a splash as well after developing a relationship/social media "training" with Henschel.  Bottom line is that a lot of wrestlers don't have the personality, the looks (insert joke here), or the desire to not only make weight, do school, and compete at the highest levels while having someone follow them around filming 24-7 and have to edit 5 hours a day...

[peanut]

7 minutes ago, Konquest said:

It is incredibly, incredibly hard to do the work (editing, filming, promotional appearances, etc.) while simultaneously being a student-athlete.  Cayden Henschel is kind of the blueprint, and we all know he probably didn't have the career on the mats that he would have hoped for as a D2 athlete who was top-ranked at several points in his career.  Now he's kind of the man as far as "wrestling influencers" go, and he 100% deserves whatever success he's getting.  Kelly Dunnigan from Penn is dipping his toes into vlogging, and it seems as though David Carr is trying to make a splash as well after developing a relationship/social media "training" with Henschel.  Bottom line is that a lot of wrestlers don't have the personality, the looks (insert joke here), or the desire to not only make weight, do school, and compete at the highest levels while having someone follow them around filming 24-7 and have to edit 5 hours a day...

What I have in mind is specifically inviting professional influencers or podcasters or whatever. People who are not currently competing. Maybe a former MMA guy with a wrestling background—give him a ticket, fly him out, get him a hotel—on the condition that he creates content surrounding the event. 

[jackwebster]

3 hours ago, peanut said:

So my question is, is anything happening in that space? I suspect that social media outreach would attract attention to the sport, to the teams involved in an event, and to potential recruits. 

Non-wrestlers in my classes know Bo Bassett from Instagram or whatever.

Edited January 29 by jackwebster

[gromit]

12 minutes ago, jackwebster said:

Non-wrestlers in my classes know Bo Bassett from Instagram or whatever.

he was the first one I thought of trying to do something similar. The Larkin brothers have some skills in this area as well

[jackwebster]

37 minutes ago, gromit said:

he was the first one I thought of trying to do something similar. 

I have a wrestler in my first block who placed at Beast, and before class we were chatting about his quarters match. Two girls overheard our conversation and chimed in about Bassett.

[CHROMEBIRD]

Social media influencers exist to promote and make money for themselves first, and everything else second. A lot of wrestlers have been trying to grow their online clout for years now. Remember that group JO, Dake, Taylor, and some others were affiliated with years ago? It was all about growing and developing their social presence, but didn't seem to go anywhere. Some programs and brands have been training wrestlers on social media, beyond "don't post stupid things". 

Imo, social media atm seems better at deepening fan engagement rather than broadening it. If the goal is to grow the sport, idk if wrestlers have the content or personalities right now to reach much father than current fanbase.

[jackwebster]

7 minutes ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

Social media influencers exist to promote and make money for themselves first, and everything else second. A lot of wrestlers have been trying to grow their online clout for years now. Remember ...

What about the "Riot" marketing dude?

[Jason Bryant]

21 hours ago, jackwebster said:

What about the "Riot" marketing dude?

Jim has gone in different directions with his entrepreneurial endeavors. Riot Sports Marketing was very much helpful to a number of programs and organizations before the video platforms like snapchat, IG and TikTok became more prevalent. I believe Riot's been essentially inactive for well over a decade. 

[RandolphTJones]

Although not an "influencer" I think Cormier does a great job on social media. Still a huge name in the MMA world and loves the sport.

I also really like him on the call for ESPN during NCAAs.