Bob Weiner of the Masters T&F Media Subcommittee has posted his annual report. It looks great — tons of traditional media (print, broadcast outlets and media websites) showcasing our sport and stars (especially our centenarian and M90 relayists). But like a 4×100 without a baton — something major is missing: social media. Not once in the report do “Facebook” or “Twitter” appear. Every mom-and-pop store knows the importance of these platforms. They boost reach exponentially. I suggest we leverage USATF’s own social media for the benefit of masters track. USATF has a Twitter feed that can retweet our messages. USATF’s Facebook page has an amazing 212,000 Likes. Even WMA has a FB presence. In the same way that American records shouldn’t be held until the end of the year for official dissemination, links to great masters track coverage should be shared immediately and widely via social media. Of course, that means someone’s finger has to be on the button. Bob and his committee should discuss this in Anaheim. USATF masters rankings are on Facebook. Why not masters media?
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I have been involved in developing social media in local government and in small charity organizations here in the UK for some while now. Also worked with a few sports orgs. Same issues often common to all three: older managers are in charge, they don’t “get” social media, and fear it for several typical reasons, eg:
* they can’t control it.
* they are unconvinced “their people” use it or would want to use it.
* they are (they say) aware of how destructive it can be at times – but usually totally unaware of how beneficial!
* the organisations all tend to have “control freak” or very, very top-down chains of command, and place a high price on message management.
Recognise your own Masters organization in that? I know I do.
well said Tom
Maybe our message may need to be more about who we are as individuals, not athletes. Most of us are college graduates who have been successful in the business world. My feeling is that people who read about us think we are professional athletes and nothing is farther from the truth. There are thousands of people out there who can do what we do but won’t put forth the effort or believe that we are some kind of elite persons and don’t want to run the risk of “looking bad” at a meet. One of the things I stress to people I try to recruit is that “trash talk” is not heard at masters events and that everyone is willing to help you get better. Not much is ever said about who we are as individuals, only about our athletic achievements.
Personally, I wouldn’t know what a “tweet” was if I stepped on one. And anyone wanting my “relationship status” need only check my wife’s ring finger.
Hear, Hear, Mr. Stone! I couldn’t agree more. If we want to attract more money, attention, etc. to masters track and field we need to get into the 21st century with our avenues of communication. I’d be willing to help with this!
Indeed Tom. I quote the following stupid, self-defeating rant from my chum the BMAF Track & Field Manager in his 16 Nov 2014 email ‘BMAF Matters et al.’addressed to his British masters athletes:
‘So stop your Facebook fantasising, your Twitter tweats and other inconsequential musings for a day, and do something REALLY meaningful, and for your/our long term benefit.’
Hello Masters Track Friends!!
I want to report that usatfmasterstrack can now be found on Twitter – usamasterstrack, instagram – usatfmasterstrack and Facebook usatfmasterstrack
best
sandylee
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