Glory glory to Ole Georgia's marketing team. Although marketing isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of UGA football, the team running their Instagram page thinks otherwise. From the first snap of the season to off season workouts to summer training camp, UGA football's Instagram page keeps fans updated year round about the happenings of their favorite football team.
The week leading up to the first game of the season against Appalachian State, UGA football's Instagram page posted hype videos of the football players to get fans excited for Saturday's big game. These videos featured footage from practice, as well as clips from previous seasons to give fans a glimpse of what to expect this season. The Instagram page also featured a countdown to kickoff, where every day they posted a clip of the player (past or present) whose number corresponded with the number of days until the first game in order to both showcase their players and to remind fans that the first game of the season was coming up. The day before game day, the times for the Dawg Walk, gates opening, and kickoff were posted to remind fans and encourage them to get to the game early to cheer on their team.
Throughout the game, UGA football posted a halftime score update and the final score of the game to keep fans who were not able to make it to the game informed. This makes followers and fans feel informed and a part of the game experience, even if they were not able to make it. At the same time, the posts do not bombard followers, since the Instagram page keeps it to two score updates per game. Also featured on game day were pictures and video highlights from the game, creating a shared bond of excitement and bulldawg pride among followers, even if they were not physically watching the game together.
On every day of the week besides Saturday, including the off season, UGA football posts videos of their practices, players lifting weights, and coach press conferences to keep followers updated on the team's progress. Also highlighted on the Instagram page are the captains for the week's game and other player accomplishments, such as student athlete of the week recipients and winners of coaches awards. By posting player accomplishments both on and off the football field, UGA football is reinforcing the idea that UGA student athletes are well rounded and very accomplished, which embodies the spirit of the University of Georgia.
UGA football's Instagram also posts updates on former players to both show pride in their alumni and to keep fans informed about some of their favorite players. For example, UGA football posted about Matthew Stafford, former UGA quarterback, last week to share that he had signed a contract for $135,000,000, making him the highest paid player in NFL history. They caption all posts of former UGA players that have gone pro with the hashtag "#DawgsInTheNFL" to further market the fact that by coming to UGA as a football player, you too can share in the success of fellow bulldawgs and play in the NFL.
With over 300,000 Instagram followers, the UGA football page reaches a large number of fans, students, alumni, and prospects. By keeping these followers informed, UGA football has the power to increase its fan base, and perhaps even draw more applicants to the University, by making its followers feel like they are a part of the UGA experience, even if they do not attend UGA. The posts also build a sense of pride and community among UGA fans, creating a stronger bond and fan base with every post.
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