As a content creator, how do you figure out what audiences will look for before their attention shifts, and how will you capitalize with content strategy? These questions loom large.
While the process of capitalizing on a trend is complex, independent creators and brands have more tools at their disposal now than they ever have to confront and combat the issue. Each evolution of the sports media industry informs us about trends, and Awful Announcing CEO Ben Koo has been present for all of them.
Koo will discuss trends, tactics, and the business of sports content in his panel at the Sports Media Digital Summit, a completely virtual event on March 24-25 focused on the future of sports media.
Strategy has always been a strength of Koo’s, who began his career in the sports media space at YardBarker, after graduating from Ohio State’s School of Business and accruing experience with startups. He’s now used his tactical approach to built his 2010 acquisition Awful Announcing into a titan of the sports media industry.
Spotting and Capitalizing on Trends Drives Success in Sports Media
Trends have always been important, but in the age of social media, they’re becoming paramount in content strategy. Creators can cultivate audiences around their content, but secondary audiences can be unpredictable, and can flock to certain keywords and topics according to events.
The bottom line is that the sports media industry moves fast. The speed at which trends materialize, develop, and dematerialize can leave brands clawing and scratching to stay in focus and keep the views coming. It makes it difficult to identify opportunities and take action all in sequence, as Koo has identified.
“I think the issue that sites and brands are facing is that things are moving extremely quickly. Things are moving so quickly that you want to identify what you need to be competitive in and ramp up a strategy, and if you don’t, you’re going to miss it.”
It almost goes without saying that timeliness, preemptive trend recognition, and informed analysis go a long way in the world of trends and tactics. Whatever tool you use — data analytics, social media presence, or query statistics — Koo says the key is to be ahead of everyone else.
“The key for brands is: You have to see a trend early, figure out if you’re going to take advantage of it, and come up with a really competent strategy that’s organic to your brand. If you’re late, other people are going to pass you in terms of brand relevance.”
Learn More at the Sports Media Digital Summit
As trends become central to sports content, understanding how to capitalize on them is crucial for aspiring sports media professionals. At the Sports Media Digital Summit, Koo will discuss how to identify, differentiate, and qualify trends, and how to construct tactics to effectively take advantage and spur growth.
The virtual summit takes place March 24-25 and features sessions on the biggest trends shaping sports media, from content strategy to audience growth and monetization. Whether you’re a writer, analyst, or content creator, this session will provide actionable strategies to elevate your work using data.
Register now to gain the insights and make the valuable connections needed to help elevate your career.
