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Fans Threw a Twitter Party and the Rays Didn’t Show

Podcast: Why the Tampa Bay Rays should use Twitter!

During the last two games of the ALCS (American League Championship Series) there were hundreds of Rays fans watching the game and Tweeting with other Rays fans. I used the Rays hash tag #rays during this time.

This concept is known as a Twitter feed under a specific name, also known as a Twebinar. Here’s how it works. Someone makes up a name for a feed and precedes the name with the “#” (the hash mark). In this case the Twitter feed name is #rays. This allows you to create Twitter posts and see anyone who is posting Twitter comments in the #rays feed.

You have to use the Twitter search function to find a feed. Just go here: http://search.twitter.com/. Then search for a feed by entering the feed name such as #rays or #redsox or #worldseries.

This allows you to see anyone, anywhere in the world who is following the same Twitter feed. I was actively posting Twits in the #rays feed and the #redsox feed. These Twitter feeds acts as a mashup of Twitter accounts under a single feed name.

The pace of comments during the event was astonishing. I refreshed my browser every few seconds and found dozens of new posts every few seconds.

Marketers should consider setting up a Twitter feed for events or private customer conversations. Events are very common allowing people to post Twitter comment on activities during an event. The social networking potential during events of common interest is very powerful.

The Tampa Bay Rays have a Twitter profile @raysbaseball. But, they were noticeably absent in game 7 of the ALCS. They missed an opportunity to engage with a vibrant social media community of Rays on Twitter.

The reach through social media marketing is too important for the Rays to have missed this window of opportunity to help promote the Rays brand. I hope to see them on Twitter in the future.

This podcast was recorded before the World Series ended. The Rays lost to the Phillies in the World Series but they gave us Rays fans a thrilling 2008 season. Way to go Rays!