Flyers Social Networking

Amanda R

Happy June, Flyers! Now that the weather’s getting toasty, Flyers are getting ready for exciting new programs, such as the Fall Marathon Training Program. To kick off the summer season, we have a few other developments in store.
Social Networking

Some of you may have noticed that other clubs, such as the Asphalt Green Tri Club, recently have switched from a Facebook “group” to a Facebook “page.”  Other organizations, such as Central Park Track Club, New York Road Runners, JackRabbit Sports, Fred’s Team, and ING NYC Marathon have used the “page” format for quite a while. Using a “page” format, as opposed to a “group” format, allows for greater flexibility when it comes to marketing, branding, and of course, socializing. So now it’s our turn. Look out for our new Facebook page, to be launched this month!

How will I know when and how to join?

If you’re already a member of the Flyers Facebook group, you will receive a notification to “like” the page when it launches. If you are not a member, search for The New York Flyers and join the fun! The current Facebook group will be discontinued 6-8 weeks after the launch of our new page to give Flyers time to transition over. Remember, all you have to do is click “like” to become a fan of the new page. It’s that easy. When new Flyers join the club, they will immediately be invited to “like” us, too.

Why are we switching?

As a running club, some of our key objectives when it comes to a social networking platform are to:

• Facilitate interactivity – build community and give recognition; allow for photo tagging and publishing

• Enable push marketing – market events and volunteer needs

• Provide an early engagement tool – get new Flyers involved

• Create an acquisition tool – attract new members

• Drive viral marketing by reaching all of our individual networks

A “page” can better accomplish many of these things. It enables stronger engagement with “fans,” greater scale, and more visibility. A group is joined by search or direct invite, whereas a page allows for a more viral effect… When a user “likes” a page, it notifies all of their friends through publication to their news feed, thereby driving referral traffic. We can reach people who weren’t directly looking for us. The New York Flyers will also show up in your “activities and interests” on your profile page. People will be able to see that you’re a “Flyer” when they look at your profile. With “likes,” we also can potentially provide incentives to non-Flyers to become a “fan” of a page and "like" us, too. On the social side, you will be able to post photos and tag your friends so that more of our events are publicized to our non-Flyer networks.

Finally, content can be delivered from the page itself so that a Facebook post doesn’t have to be linked to an individual. A post can come from “New York Flyers,” which will help foster a brand identity.

What content can we expect?

Most content will drive to the web site for sign up or ticket purchase, so that our channels can be integrated. Feel free to contribute to this content where applicable!

• Better club description, with a drive to the web site to join

• Race/club updates

• Club event notifications/sign up

• Volunteer needs

• Special performances after races

• Club points/wins

• Awards notifications

• Photos posted by event

• News of interest (feel free to add links to articles!)

So, look out for our big announcement in June, and show all of your friends on Facebook that you “like” the Flyers!!

And when it comes to our running programs…

Look for some new developments to be announced soon… we’re currently working on publishing an updated schedule of weekly club runs. We’re also investigating possibilities for starting a Flyers-sponsored race. Let us know if you’re interested in joining this team. It’s also almost time for the Flyers to pace-lead the NYRR Long Training Runs.  And of course, don’t forget to check out the MTP… it’s not too late to sign up for our inaugural Fall Marathon Training Program!

Happy Running!!

Amanda R
NY Flyers Vice President