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Gill's golf blog on technology

We believe in technology! Do you agree that the golf industry should capitalize more on the latest communication technologies?

Click here  to read more about Gill Wilson

I am so excited to be writing my first blog – and trust it won’t be my last.

There is a myriad of techie gobblydegook out there – so as a starter I thought it worth explaining what a blog is.

Simple - it comes from the words Web Log – a Web log is a web page, Drop the W and E and you get blog – and a blog is nothing more than a web page.

The advantage of a blog is that it offers you freedom to write as much as you like.

But if you feel you don’t have enough time to keep up with a blog, then Twittering could be for you.  A Tweet is a short sharp statement – a bit like a headline in a newspaper – if it grabs your attention you can read on – if not, you turn the page.  This is  how a tweet works – if your ‘headline’ strikes a cord with your reader, if it intrigues them, they can go to the blog for more…….but it’s their decision.

The key is to get people interested at the same time as giving them choice.
 A Tweet can be a flag waver to get people’s attention before funnelling them over to where we want them to be . It also establishes a link with people in a very non-threatening way. We are  effectively saying, “Hey look, I wrote a new blog post today. See what you think . . .” and then handing the reins over to them.

It is not intended that a twitter replace the standard blog. It should go hand in hand with it – a opening of the door – people decide whether to enter or shut it.

So, what I really want to establish is who in our great Golf Business Community is already Blogging and Tweeting – and what success they have had.  Can you share with us what is working?  What is easy, what is difficult?  Has it worked as a business tool for you – can you give examples?

Do you agree that the golf industry should capitalize more on the latest communication technologies?

Details

  • Type: Article
  • Date: 07/12/2010

Comments

  • Steven Berger (Jonas)
    May 11, 2011 12:49:12
    Hi Gill - Representing a software company that supplies tech to golf clubs, I certainly do believe that the golf industry should capitalize on better communication tech. It is needed/wanted by members of clubs - we see the proof in the fact that there are approximately 110M tweets per day, 500M facebook users, and so on. Members essentially want similar communication at their club to what they use in other parts of their lives. We saw this a couple years ago in clubs when members were requesting similar payment and banking practices at the club to that of the high street. "I am able to view my bank statement online, why can't I view my club account online"? , was a theme that was visibly shared by a large majority of club members around the world. At Jonas Software we have reacted promptly to these needs and I therefore feel strongly that clubs should do the same or they are missing out on engaging with their most valuable asset - their members. I belong to a club that sends me a club e-mail from their Jonas system that is specific to my likes/interests and invites me to club events. I am only at the club once every few months therefore without the auto ClubBroad Cast e-mail I wouldn't be aware of the event. I am sure this has grown there attendance and therefore their overall profit as the Friday night happy hour is packed! Thanks - Steve Berger jonasclub.co.uk
  • Eoin Banahan ()
    December 21, 2010 00:45:00
    Hi Gill, I believe the golf industry is behind in its technology usage. So much more can be done to streamline course operations. However the sports industry in general takes a while to adapt to new technologies and are not the early adapts that perhaps other sports are. Thank you for starting the blog and I look forward to following it. I recently started my own blog which you can find at http://tiny.cc/j3j5s. EB
  • JEROME BARD (VIAGOLF - Golf & Business Marketing)
    October 18, 2010 00:28:39
    Sure, the Golf industry should capitalize more on interactives technologies, always connected on internet close to targeted communities. In fact, the golf industry only has to duplicate what is efficient in others business segments in term of new technologies solutions. For example, tourism is a leading market on internet. People compare the packages for their next holidays online with dedicated and powerfull tools. They find quality comments in social networks communities, book and pay their next holidays online. Communication, new customer acquisition, loyalty programmes, data collection strategies, sales... every part of the business should be thought closer to the final target, through the most existing profitable solution... and the solution is often provided by new internet technologies (website, portal ,blog, forum, social network, online prize draw, e-newsletter, e-mag, display, online data access...). For our young niche market company, Viagolf.fr, this is exactlty our vision of how the high potential of the golf industry can be operated.
  • Jemma Farley (Golf Course Architecture)
    October 04, 2010 15:34:29
    Firstly, thank you Gill, for starting this interesting discussion. I have to say that I am writing this with butterflies in my tummy. Why? The answer is that I don't really know other than perhaps it is because this is the first time in my life that I have done such a thing. I say 'thing' because I'm not even sure what to call this... a blog, a tweet, a post, a comment?? I've been conscious for some time that I really ought to begin using these modern forms of communication but have never really been sure how. The first stumbling block was the fact that I couldn't just quickly post my comment and then continue with whatever it was I was doing prior to being directed to your blog. I had to create an account and set up a username and password. By the time I had done that I had ran out of time to actually say my bit (other business cropped up) and so put it off for another day. Before I knew it, several weeks had gone by until I made time to give it another go. The next problem I had was remembering my username and password. I have four email addresses, which one did I sign up with and what password did I create? I had no clue, simply because I now have hundreds of usernames and passwords for everything from email accounts to banking, and most of them are different because security advice suggests they should be. By the time I managed to find the information I needed to log it was time for me to be in a meeting so I had to put the information to one side (again) with the intention of coming back later. Alas, the meeting is now over and as you can see, I've finally managed to say my bit. I'm not sure if this helps or even if I have commented on the right topic but for what it's worth, although I believe it important to keep up with the times I'm not sure if becoming a regular blogger (??) is a good use of my time though I am open to be convinced otherwise. Maybe there are pointers I should follow to make it quick, easy and effective. For example is there an easy way to remember which username and which password is relevant for which thing? Advice is welcome.
  • John Beckley (Sorted Sites)
    August 31, 2010 14:14:37
    I run a small media company in Spain and have found that up to 80% that contribute to a Facebook Business page are Woman! I totally agree the market for Woman and Families coming into golf is huge! Social Media is the best way to tap into this market.
  • Gill Wilson (Firstgolf)
    August 11, 2010 12:58:12
    Don, I thought it was Women you ignored at your peril!!!! but thats another point. Women and kids are still a market segment for golf that is under exploited - and unless we communicate and market to them that we have understood and appreciated them, we will miss the opportunity to build loyal customer bases and referral engines for the future. I see Gill's Golf Blog (GGB) as and on line extension of the Golf Business Forum (GBF) where we can debate issues and learn from each other. So should we be on Facebook and Twitter?
  • Don Riddell (CNN)
    August 11, 2010 10:24:35
    I have found social media to be invaluable in my business and I can't imagine that it would be anything but positive for the golf industry. Facebook and Twitter have proved to be excellent tools in identifying consumers and building relationships with them. I have also found that they are extremely useful for creating on-line 'communities' and they foster a sense of 'belonging' - ideal for brand-building and promotion. it's worth remembering that this is how the youth, the major customers of tomorow, are communicating today - ignore them at your peril!
  • Gill Wilson (Firstgolf)
    August 10, 2010 11:09:55
    Heard about Facebook Questions? It allows people to ask any question of Facebook’s entire 500m strong community – another example of crowd sourcing. A recent study from research firm Gartner found that the majority of consumers rely heavily on their social network of friends and acquaintances to help make their purchasing decision. This is why Facebook’s Questions tool is a timely addition to the site. Gartner is advising companies with products to sell to engage actively with these people on social networks as social networks have become a critical but underutilised aspect of the marketing process. All businesses need to be aware of how their brand is being received online and then respond appropriately with cleverly composed messages. Any questions?!
  • Miklós Breitner (Golf Business Monitor)
    August 05, 2010 15:36:34
    @Richard - what kind of "latest communication technologies" do you use to find ideal candidate for an open position? Do you use social media? If yes, how and for what purposes? How would you characterize golf professionals' online media usage? Thanks, Miklós / www.golfbusinessmonitor.typepad.com
  • Richard Wood (Colt Mackenzie McNair)
    August 05, 2010 14:20:31
    We embrace the latest communication technologies in order to stay relevant to both our clients and candidates. In its simplest form we can use technology to advertise vacancies to a global audience and enhance employer brands. Technology is used throughout the selection process and it allows us to build a talent pool quicker and more efficiently. Communication with candidates is now more personalized and we can target generation y through business orientated social networking sites and deliver information to them through an app on their mobile phone. SIMPLES.