Fan Appreciation

Fan appreciation is important, and often overlooked.

There are several things you could do to show your fans that you appreciate them. This can be just a little thing that shows your fans that they are important to you, or it can be something that is on a much larger scale.

One of my favorite things is when sports organizations do fan appreciation nights. These are always great, for not only showing your already loyal fans that you appreciate their continuing support, but a way to drawn in new fans as well.

On fan appreciation nights there are several different things that can be used as give aways. It could be anything from a free piece of promotional merchandise (such as a key chain or a hand towel), to a free item from the concessions stand. Keep in mind if you don’t have the concessions because it is run by someone else, a free item from the concessions stand might not work.

If you have season ticket holders, they should get treated a little differently from you regular run of the mill fans. Of course, when they buy their season tickets there is normally a free gift that goes with them, such as a tee shirt or a prize pack.

They are some of your most loyal fans, so you should always do something special just for them, such as have a party with the athletes. That way, they have chance to meet their favorite athletes, and have photo opportunities.

Another thing you can do for season tickets holders if you don’t want to do the parties. or even in addition to them, you can let them either enter the venue earlier; or stay late for meet and greet opportunities.

Remember, all of your fans love to be in contact with the athletes. It makes them feel like they are more a part of what is going on with your organization; plus they get to brag to all there friends. In return you will get some good word of mouth promotions and viral marketing. Your fans will do some powerful marketing for you.

Newsletters are also something that you should have for your fans, to help keep them in the know. You can run contests that they can only be entered by joining your newsletter. Once you have them signed up for you newsletter, not only can you send them specials in the newsletter, but also if you have their home address with their sign up information you can send them Seasons Greetings cards.

If they include a birthday as well you can send them birthday cards with or with out a promotional photo or a coupon for something the next time they attend your event. The coupon could be the better of the two ,because if they haven’t been back in a while, it will entice them into coming back. No one likes to let a coupon for something free go to waste, even if they have to spend money to get it.

I hope that you find that some of these are new ideas for you to help build your business.

Tags: Fan appreciation, promotions, newsletters, marketing.