19th Hole Media’s Top 10 of 2016

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Lacey Welborn

At our end of year meeting each year we go over a lot of material, make a lot of plans, and do a lot of business stuff. But, we also make a point to look back over the previous year and celebrate our victories.

We have come a long way since we started. Here is our Top 10 of 2016.

Top 10 of 2016

10. Speaking Gigs

This year Zeb spoke with the California Golf Course Owners’s Association and the National Golf Course Owner’s Association Arizona on digital marketing for golf courses.

9. Visiting New Client Courses in Chicago and San Jose

One of the coolest things we did this year was add new client courses in Chicago (Village Greens of Woodridge) and San Jose (Cinnabar Hills Golf Club) . . . and, as a result, visiting those courses during the year to take social media pictures, videos and discussing how to best implement our plans for 2017.In September, Zeb brought the family for an amazing trip to Chicago and played Cog Hill, Cantigny, Village Links of Glen Ellyn and, of course, Village Greens of Woodridge. Thank you Brandon Evans for a memorable trip.In November, Zeb headed up to San Jose for the California Golf Course Owner’s Association Annual Meeting and to play/shoot social photos and videos at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Cinnabar Hills is a beautiful 27-hole golf course and includes the impressive Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum.

8. #GolfChat Authors

Zeb started #GolfChat in 2015 and since then it has taken on a life of its own.The Twitter chat (which takes place every Tuesday at 5PM PST) now has it’s own Author’s Group.Each month a topic is explored by golf bloggers and their articles are shared on the #GolfChat website.

We have to thank #GolfChat legends Jeremy White for orchestrating the authors group and Cassie Norris for hosting #GolfChat. As well as Pete Flanigan, Tiffany Chiasson, Todd Marsh, Tony Dear, Anne Foley-Smith, Dave Hill and Jim Burton for being #GolfChat Authors. And everyone else who has participated in #GolfChat.

Congratulations to the 2016 #GolfChat Award Winners – @Front9Back9, @golfbandwagoner, @ShawnBell, @h2cgolf, @GolfUnfiltered, @1beardedgolfer, @bowdo83, @tiffchaisson and @JDres15.

Follow #GolfChat in 2017 with the new #GolfChat Twitter account – @realGolfchat

7. GolfBoard

We first saw the GolfBoard in action early this year at the Golf Industry Show.Since then we’ve played it at Maderas Golf Club, Los Serranos Country Club and Candlewood Country Club.Maderas is one of the most popular GolfBoard destinations in the country and new partner, Corey Ross is solely using social media to promote it. General Manager, Michael Flickinger said their original GolfBoard fleet of four has already paid for itself.

This year we created marketing packages specifically for the GolfBoard. The GolfBoard is a great social opportunity to help attract followers and online conversations about your golf course. Our marketing packages help to leverage social media to drive new golfers to your golf course.

6. Social Media Golf Course Marketing Column and Sponsorship for California Golf Course Owner’s Association

Zeb has starting writing a column for the California Golf Course Owners Association regular newsletter. The column will share the benefits and best practices of online marketing with golf course owners.Check out his first contributions here:

19th Hole Media became a sponsor of the CGCOA this year and will be helping them recruit new members in 2017.

5. Game 7 – A Night to Remember

Game 7 of the World Series was one of the best baseball games I’ve ever seen. The game ended up being even more memorable for Zeb.Zeb watched the Cubbies break their curse with Steve Plummer, Ron Zraick, Michael Lautenbach – the past, current and future California Golf Course Owner’s Association Presidents – and Executive Director Marc Connerly while eating the best steak he’s ever had.

4. REALiTEE Golf

At the beginning of 2017, we were introduced to Dave Shultz and REALiTEE Golf.REALiTEE Golf is a majestic real golf experience that takes place indoors with a fun social atmosphere. It’s a big idea with a big personality launching it.In February we went with REALiTEE Golf to the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. There we saw founder Dave Shultz in action. He’s incredibly passionate and enthusiastic. We’re looking forward to being a part of REALiTEE Golf in 2017.

Learn more about REALiTEE Golf.

3. New Golf Clients

This year has been amazing for 19th Hole Media.We’ve added several new clients including Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, Desert Island Golf Club, Indian Wells Golf Resort, REALiTEE Golf, Riverwalk Golf Club, and Village Greens of Woodridge.We’ve also taken on bigger roles at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, and Los Serranos Country Club and continue to work for Anaheim Hills, Dad Miller, Greenskeeper.org, Robinson Ranch, San Dimas Canyon, and Strawberry Farms.

2. Southern California Charity Golf Classic

We hosted the 2nd Annual Southern California Charity Golf Classic at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills, CA on July 29.With help from many in our community, the tournament met it’s goal and raised over $12,000 for Boys Republic, the Chino Rotary Club, the Chino Valley Fire District, the Love Them All Foundation, Priceless Pets and The Let It Be Foundation.The event was a ton of fun and we have already begun planning the 2017 SCCGC.

1. Corey Ross Joins 19th Hole Media

This year we added Corey Ross to the 19th Hole Media Team. Corey is the owner of Southern California Golf and Travel Blog, contributor to Southland Golf Magazine and Director of Digital Marketing and Social Media at Maderas Golf Club.

He obviously has great experience and our shared mission make Corey the perfect addition to 19th Hole Media.

Read more about our partnership with Corey Ross – Corey Ross Joins 19th Hole Media.

Thank you all for everything! We hope you all have an amazing 2017.

As we plan for 2017, we’re preparing to send out marketing tactics and tips for golf courses coinciding with the CGCOA newsletter. If you’d like to learn how to better market your golf course in 2017 sign up to get our emails – 19th Hole Media Newsletter

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How to Run a Facebook Contest for Golf Courses: A Case Study

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Zeb Welborn

Contests for free stuff are cool.

Not only are they cool, but they are a great way to create word-of-mouth marketing at your golf course.

Earlier this month we ran a Facebook contest for our client and here’s how we did it.

The Contest:

This particular client was in the process of renovating their putting green. The course invested a lot of money to improve the experience for their golfers and wanted to let as many golfers as possible know about it.

Our Facebook contest announced the upgraded putting green and the copy for the contest went something like this (picture below):

“Contest for Free Golf: If you could name our NEW putting green . . . What would you name it?

The comment with the Most “Likes” will win a Free twosome of Golf, Monday – Thursday, AND our Favorite Comment will also win a Free twosome Monday – Thursday.

Contest ends at 5pm PST on Friday, November 21.

Good Luck!”

The Anatomy of a Great Facebook Contest for Golf Courses:

Contest is Easy to Enter – The contest needs to be easy to enter. This contest is super easy to enter. All they need to do is name the putting green.
Rules are Simple – The simpler the contest is, the more likely people are going to enter it.
Compelling Picture – There needs to be a unique, authentic and compelling picture to make a great Facebook contest for your golf course.
Valuable Prize – The prize needs to be something your golfers want, but doesn’t need to be anything over the top. I’ve seen golf courses give away 10 free rounds of golf to a contest winner or more. A free twosome is all you need to get massive engagement on your Facebook page.
Clear End Date – Make sure you identify the end date of your contest.
Promote – Be sure to promote your contest in as many ways as you possibly can. For this particular contest the golf course announced it via their email newsletter. Other ideas could be to inform golfers at the point of sale, on the phone, and on your website.
Boost It – We knew this Facebook post would be popular so we boosted it. Boosting a post on Facebook means Facebook will show it to more people. For this contest we boosted the post by spending $5. A minor investment for a significant increase in exposure.

In the first comment to any contest post you should include the following disclaimer:

“By entering this contest, you agree to a complete release of Facebook from any or all liability in connection with this contest. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.”

Now that you know how to create a killer contest, let’s take a look at the type of results you can expect from running one.

The Results:

At the start of this contest this particular Facebook page had 883 “Likes.” Just 4 days later, their Facebook grew by 47 Likes to 930.

The contest itself reached 2,976 people, was liked 33 times, commented on 111 times, and shared 15 times. From all posts, including shares, the post had more than 339 likes, comments, and shares – 78 total likes, 241 total comments, and 20 shares. The post was also clicked on 409 times.

For a Facebook page with less than a 1,000 followers, those numbers are pretty darn good. Nearly 3,000 people saw this and better yet, more than 400 people engaged with this one post.

By the Numbers:

47 New Likes – 47 new golfers exposed to golf course content for life.
2,976 People Reached – 2,976 people physically saw this post
1,741 Organic Reach – Post reached 1,741 people for free
1,235 Paid Reach – Paid $5 to boost the post which went to 1,235 more people
33 Likes on the post itself
111 Comments on the post itself
15 Shares on the post itself
339 Total Likes, Comments and Shares after considering shared content
78 Total Likes
241 Total Comments
20 Total Shares
409 Clicks on the post itself

Follow Up:

The benefits of running a Facebook contest for your golf course don’t end there. A great contest leverages the experience of the golfers who entered and won the contest.

Be sure to announce and recognize the contest winners as soon as you can with a comment on the contest post. Be sure to ask them to send you a direct message with their contact information. Don’t forget to get their email address so you can add them to your email list.

Then, use their profile pictures and announce them on your main Facebook page giving them some recognition but also reminding your Facebook following that if they check your posts they can win free golf at your golf course. This will give you an opportunity to advertise and market to your audience moving forward for free.

Now your contest post gets even more visibility. In this post we reached an additional 495 people with 143 post clicks, 15 likes, 8 comments and 1 share.

The final thing you want to do is send an email to the winners. This is the email we sent to the winners of this contest:
Congratulations on Winning A Free Twosome at (Golf Course)!

“(Name),

Congratulations on winning a free twosome of golf at (Golf Course). Hope you enjoy your experience here.

If you’re interested, please take photos of your round and share them with me so I can post them on our Facebook page.

Thank you for participating!

Zeb”

If you’re open to it. An even better email to send out would be something like this:

Subject: Congratulations on Winning A Free Twosome at (Golf Course)!

“(Name),

Congratulations on winning a free twosome of golf at (Golf Course). Hope you enjoy your experience here.

If you’re up for it, we’d love to play golf with you and use some of the photos from our round on our Facebook page. May we join you?

Totally understand if you’d like to play golf without us. Either way, just let us know.

Thank you for participating!

Zeb”

If they do invite you to join them for a free round, it’s a great opportunity to take lots of pictures you can then use to post on your Facebook page for months to come. It also gives these golfers a chance to become loyal to your golf course.

If you can’t make it to play golf with them, send the first email and hopefully they will send you a picture of them at the golf course and you can use that to promote your free golf giveaway (and your golf course) even more.

Interested in learning more about running a Facebook contest for your golf course? Contact Zeb at (909) 973-9089 or email at Zeb@WelbornMedia.com

Bonus Content – Learn How to Run a Facebook PHOTO Contest!

Exclusively for members of our email list we’re sharing how to run a Facebook Photo Contest, the results we achieved, and teach you how to run your own photo contest.

Sign up now to learn how we ran a Facebook photo contest for another client of ours where we reached 2,972 people, collected multiple golfer-generated photos, and how we used those photos to promote our clients golf course even more!

Click Here to Learn How to Run a Facebook Photo Contest!

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My Top 82 Golf Twitter Accounts to Follow in 2015

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Zeb Welborn

In preparing for our very first #GolfChat hosted tonight on Twitter, Tuesday, January 6 at 5pm PST. I decided to create a list of my favorite Golf Twitter accounts to follow.

I jokingly say that these are the best of the best golf Twitter accounts to follow in 2015.

My list is not meant to be comprehensive. This is just a list of people who I’ve talked golf with on Twitter over the years. Give them a follow and let them know you found them through this list if you get a chance.

#GolfChat

Check back as I will be updating this list through February, 2015 to include lists like Top 20 Golf Twitter Accounts to Follow, Top 20 PGA Tour Golfers to Follow, Top 20 LPGA Tour Golfers to Follow, Top 20 GK Twitter Accounts to Follow, and much, much more.

(I’ll include links as they become available on the world wide web)

But for now, here are my favorite Twitter accounts to follow:

Bunkers Paradise

@AdamJFonseca – Freelance golf writer. GWAA member. @BunkersParadise contributor. Owner of http://ChicagoDuffer.com .
@BunkersParadise – A Golf Community Who Live, Love & Learn Everything Golf | Golf Club Reviews, Videos, Tips, Giveaways & Lots of Fun!
@BPGolfingGirls – The Official Twitter account for the women of @BunkersPGolf (Bunkers Paradise). Follow for @lpgagolf news, women’s reviews and thoughts. Run by @hugapar
@GolfingWithLee – Community Manager, Partner & Head of Social Media for http://bunkersparadise.com @bunkersparadise | Family, Lakers, Golf & Surf | creator of @lakerfacts
@hugapar – Former LPGA Player helping golfers reach Peak Performance thru Mental Training.#golf Proud 2b on Team @BunkersPGolf as writer/reviewer http://bunkersparadise.com

Defining Success Podcast Interviewees – Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing some amazing people on The Defining Success Podcast. Here are the golfers I’ve interviewed who have Twitter accounts.

Listen to their interviews at the Defining Success Podcast.

@Hugapar – Former LPGA Player helping golfers reach Peak Performance thru Mental Training.#golf Proud 2b on Team @BunkersPGolf as writer/reviewer http://bunkersparadise.com
@GolfingwithLee – Community Manager, Partner & Head of Social Media for http://bunkersparadise.com @bunkersparadise | Family, Lakers, Golf & Surf | creator of @lakerfacts
@JohnnyGK – Owner/Founder – Golf’s Social Network – GreensKeeper – Mobile App Launching Soon – Company Expansion Planned
@rickyleepotts – Digital Communications Manager for Troon, owner of the Google+ GOLF Community, blogger, beer snob, music fanatic, avid golfer and runner!
@SWINGPlay – Christian, Mother, Wife, LPGA Member, USKG Master & Top Kids Teacher, Founder SWINGplay® Golf Education & Interactive FUNdamental Golf Designs
@theGolfClub – The Golf Club host/producer on 4 radio stations in Hawaii. Streaming live or podcast at http://radiogolfclub.com , @iTunes, @TuneIn or @Stitcher. Member GWAA.
@USGLL1 – Growing the Game
@virgiltourspin – PGA teaching professional/tv/raidio host of Golf Talk America & Talking Golf, Callaway Elite Staff, Public Speaker, Best-Selling Author

Golf Course Industry

@AllenWronowski – Folds of Honor Director of Golf Development and Relations; PGA of America Honorary President and Hall of Fame Member
@AndrewKramer47 – Professional Golfer tryin to birdie my back nine #BeyondTheLinks
@aspittle – Senior Director of Sales & Marketing for @KemperSports Golf Course & Hospitality Management (Pinkberry, Music & Caffeine addict)
@CowanBrew – VP of Sales & Consulting for Box Ventures, GM of Greens CC, Love the Thunder, Sooners & MSM Rockets. These thoughts are mine
@crittendenconf – #Golf, #Insurance and #CRE Conference Experts #CrittREF14, #GolfCon14, #realestate, #Multifamily, #MultiCon15, #MultiWESTCon15, #MedCon15, #CRECon14 #CRECon15
@KemperSports – Golf course management company in Northbrook, Ill. Properties include @BandonDunesGolf, No. 1 Golf Resort, @ChambersBayGolf, @HarborShores and The Prairie Club.
@KevKnutsen – Director of Golf at @elpradogc.
@krisstrauss – VP of Sales & Marketing for Troon. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. Resides in AZ. Golf fanatic & ASU Sun Devil. (Views are my own).
@NGCOAConference – Registration opens September 29th for the 2015 NGCOA Annual Conference on Feb. 23-26 in San Antonio, TX.
@ntudornelson – Business Development Associate for @KemperSports Golf Course and Hospitality Management
@pgaofamerica – Official tweets of the PGA of America – The world’s largest sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals.
@scpga – Welcome to the official home of the Southern California PGA. Stay tuned for important information, event recaps, photos, & more! Thanks for stopping by!
@TheNGCOA – The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. Get our attention — #NGCOA
@TroonGolf – @rickyleepotts & @krisstrauss tweeting for Troon Golf – The world’s largest golf management company overseeing operations in 34 states and 28 countries.
@TylerPringle – Digital marketing and 3-putt specialist.
@WBOBrien – AZ native living the dream in San Diego. Enjoys man’s best friend, surf, sand and Mexican food.

Golf Courses (Most of these are clients of mine. And if they’re not clients, then they’re good friends.) I personally manage the @ArroyoTrabuco and @sbmunigolf Twitter accounts. Be sure to follow them!

@AnaheimGolf – For a true Southern California golf experience, there’s no better choice than Anaheim with our two beautiful courses and complete range of clubhouse facilities.
@ArroyoTrabuco – High-end golf without the high-end price. Right in your backyard.
@DadMiller_Golf – Come enjoy Anaheim’s most well maintained and price friendly course! With 18 beautiful holes, you’re sure to enjoy the walk :)
@DadMillerGolf – Dad Miller Golf Course 430 N. Gilbert Street Anaheim, CA. 92801
@GolfDWGR – Official page of Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, CA. 36 Holes of Award-Winning Golf, Palm Desert Golf Academy. Scenic Dining, Wedding and Event Venue.
@LosSerranosCC – Los Serranos Country ClubOffers an Unparalleled Golfing Experience. Our Two 18 Hole Championship Golf Courses Appeal to Golfers of all Levels & Ages #LSCC
@MaderasGolf – One of San Diego’s only Golf Digest Top 100 courses for 2013-14, Maderas Golf club is just minutes from downtown San Diego.
@riverviewgolf18 – A family owned and operated 18 hole golf course located in the heart of Orange County California
@RobinsonGolf – LA County’s Upscaled Golf Course. Two Award Winning 18 Hole Courses with A 25,000 Square Foot Club House.
@SanDimasGolf – Official Twitter Site for updates, news and specials from San Dimas Canyon Golf Course in San Dimas, CA
@sbmunigolf – Santa Barbara’s beautiful, walkable, full service, 18-hole community golf course and practice facility.
@sf_golf – Strawberry Farms Golf Club offers Championship Golf in an unmatched natural setting, The OC’s best kept secret for breakfast, lunch & dinner!
@Stevinson_Ranch – Stevinson Ranch Golf Club, located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, is a reasonable driving distance from anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area
@StevinsonRanch – #1 Golf Course & Golf Experience in California!!!

Golf Fanatics

@ADePallo – Philadelphia Born & Raised. U of A Grad #BearDown. Social Media aficionado for @ClevelandGolf & @SrixonGolf. Thoughts are my own.@Petedrotar – USGTF Master Pro/.Fromer Tour Pro/,Owner of Squire Golf/, First Tee Coach /1+Putting/Retired Gunny Sargent /USMC/ VNVet/ U of M /Bama fan!
@golfblogspotUK – Golfblogspot.co.uk is spot on for all the latest golf news, golf scores, results, videos & blogs
@GOLFFOODADDICT – Host of @golfshowirishtv on @irishtv, founder #irishgolfdebate, weekly golf columnist at @thecontel and @airbnbhost. Views my own. Proud Waterfordian.
@HalleeGolfMan – Media Consultant-Maine Today Media, House Of Hallee paintings, Love everything golf, Patriots, Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics…
@HOGGOLFBLOG – One of the world’s leading golf blogs since 2004
@mgtruth – Allum (nee Colville) I’m a 57yr old wife to Paul, and mother of 2 adult children. I play golf (poorly but obsessively) and I’m a volounteer counsellor.
@mikejtucker00 – Passionate about Scotland and memorable experiences that fully engage all of the senses. Personal account entirely my opinions not representative of my employer
@RuMacDonald – Golf Tourism Scotland Young Person of the Year 2013. Host of a weekly podcast that talks Scottish golf travel – @scotgolfpodcast.
@ScotGolfPodcast – A golf travel podcast & website helping you plan your golf trip to Scotland, The Home of Golf. Listen to the weekly podcast on iTunes: http://ow.ly/28pu3z
@seanogle – Currently doing the stuff most people just talk about doing…
@spin_47 – I am The Editor of @ProGolfNow a division of The @Fansided Network.and Sounds of the Mountains, an Appalachia Music Blog
@TheGolfSpace – One of the first golf bloggers! http://HookedOnGolfBlog.com and http://TheGolfSpace.com – @HOGGOLFBLOGand @thegolfspace Golf expert at http://golf.answers.com

Golf Industry

@2ndGuyGolf – Golf gear with a purpose | 100% of net profits go to charities | Founded by former MLB pitcher Russ Ortiz | #YouBuyWeGive
@3MeninaBunker – Funky, Modern Website designed and run by a group of Golf Mad Lads – Providing Deals & Offers, Course and Equipment reviews, Tips, Industry news & More
@3upgolf – We help you enjoy the game of golf. Family owned and operated.
@AceofClubsGolf – http://www.TheAceofClubs.com – Custom Built Golf Clubs since 1997 http://facebook.com/TheAceofClubsCustomGolf …
@BillConwell – VP – Special Projects @Back9Network – Business Developer with Passion & FUN!
@chandler_colin – I AM A INSPIRATIONAL BLIND GOLFER I HAVE CHOROIDEREMIA http://colinchandler.weebly. com I LIKE GREYHOUNDS HORSES MUSIC FOOTBALL ATHLETICS I INSPIRE
@golfgal – I love playing golf, watching golf, writing about golf, reading about golf, reviewing golf products & courses and helping golf companies market themselves.
@Golflife – Tune In Each Week For Updates from Golf, Golf News, Golf Tips, Equipment, Travel, PGA Tour. Like us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/golflife
@sherylgolf – Business, Marketing Consultant Author of the Pros Guide to Marketing & FUNdamentals of the Party Business
@SouthlandGolf – SoCal’s No. 1 source for golf news, events and entertainment. Tweets from Editor John Dunphy
@TheGolfChick – Obsessing & writing about golf since 2005. (The Golf Chick™) Tweeting about anything.Also @TheGunChick
@wcuebas – Reviewer for http://Golfballed.com / Black Widow Ambassador/#BlessedMan

Golf Instructors

@mentalgolfkeys – Michael Anthony is author of The Mental Keys – Lower Your Score While Driving Your Car – Results Guaranteed.
@SeanLanyiGolf – PGA Playing & Teaching PGA Professional based in Southern California. Partnered with Black Gold GC, TaylorMade Adidas Golf, Matrix Shafts, Sub70USA.

Golfers

@AdamKingsley72 – Sports, sports, sports..Niner Nation.
@EstebanEtoledo – This is Esteban Toledo’s Official twitter account. God bless and look forward to what the future holds for me and my family in 2014.#family#god#ETFF-Foundation
@gmolinarogolf – Born in Italy. Raised in Kenya. ASU Graduate 2012. 2014 @LPGA Rookie #golf #SunDevils #AnimalLover

Greenskeeper.org – I manage the Facebook presence for Greenskeeper.org

@GKCourseReviews – http://Greenskeeper.org is a FREE online golf community providing recent golf course reviews, photos, maintenance alerts – mobile launching July
@GKSoCalGolf – http://Greenskeeper.org is a FREE online golf community providing aeration alerts, golf course reviews, photos, free handicap tracker, and much more!
@GolfNomadBAA – Follow me as I pursue my ultimate goal of playing golf in all 50 states, as well as review courses throughout California.
@Greenskeeperorg – Free online community of over 65,000 golfers. Golf course reviews, aeration alerts, golf specials and more. Mobile coming in September.
@keith6pez – Just another dude.
@ringworld_ace – By day I am a mild mannered Packaging Guru for the Optical Disc (CD and DVD) packaging markets; by night I am just your basic frustrated golfer.
@ringworldGK – Chasing a little white ball, one hole at a time.
@Rob1563GK – Golf Hacker, member, http://Greenskeeper.org , fan of UNLV, Knicks, Braves, Chargers #vegasbaby

Superintendents:

@StephenTucker7 – Works in the Turf Equipment Management business.

My Golf Twitter Accounts

@19thHoleMedia – We help golf courses reach more golfers, build stronger relationships with current ones, all while promoting the game of golf.
@socialgolfcours – The Social Golf Course. 21st Century Golf Course Marketing with Social Media. By Zeb Welborn of 19th Hole Media and John Hakim of http://Greenskeeper.org .
@ZebWelborn – Owner – Welborn Media. Host – Defining Success Podcast. Owner – 19th Hole Media. Author – The Social Golf Course. Entrepreneur, Golfer and Educator. #SocialGolf

If you’ve never participated in a Twitter chat before, learn how to participate in #GolfChat here.

In golf chat we hope to share, discuss and improve the game we all love so dearly, so be ready to bring on your attitude, your insight and your passion for the greatest game every Tuesday night from 5pm to 6pm PST.

Look forward to chatting with you.

This post will be updated regularly to include more Golf Twitter accounts to follow in 2015.

If I missed anyone, please include them in the comments below.

And if I missed you, I’m sorry.

Include your Twitter name in the comments below too!

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Social Media in Scottish Golf Travel on The Scottish Golf Podcast

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Zeb Welborn

Ruairidh Macdonald, the host of The Scottish Golf Podcast interviewed me about my book, The Social Golf Course. Listen to the episode titled, Social Media in Scottish Golf Travel, by clicking on the link.

During the interview we talk about my Scottish heritage and how I’ve been able to help golf courses reach more customers and get golfers to play more often using social media.

Scottish Golf Podcast

The Scottish Golf Podcast launched to enhance the travelling golfers understanding of the Scottish golf scene. For too long, the traveling golfer been puzzled by what awaits them on this golf course infested isle. The podcast hopes to unearth the gems of Scotland while showcasing the great variation of golf courses, hotels and activities this great country has to offer. Make the trip to Scotland the most fulfilling you can at any budget and experience all that Scotland has to offer.

The Scottish Golf Podcast aims to:

Showcase Scotland as truly the best golf destination by covering a wide spectrum of activities that the country has to offer golfers

We want to distribute revenue generated through golf tourism throughout Scotland and away from the statistic ’75% of revenue, created by 25% of courses’

Create a better experience for you the inbound travelling golfer and create a platform where golfers can share great Scottish Golf experiences

I had a fantastic time chatting with Ruairidh and hope one day to get the chance to play at the home of golf. If I do, I’ll definitely be hitting up my good friend, Ruairidh.

Listen to my interview with Ruiaridh Macdonald on the Scottish Golf Podcast.

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New Marketing Methods for Golf Courses

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Zeb Welborn

The Golf Course industry as a whole is way behind the curve when it comes to promoting the game and encouraging others to play it. As a community, we need to work together to help grow the sport and encourage others to take up the game. We have developed new marketing methods designed to help grow golf by implementing social media policies at local golf courses across the country.

Social media, in particular, Facebook can have a substantial impact on the growth of the game at the local level. Local golf courses need to create a buzz and excitement around the events that are happening at their golf course.

If more golf courses can encourage more golfers in their local areas to take up golf, the golf industry will thrive for decades to come. If we continue to market and promote the game like we have in the past, we will be killing the game we all love so much.

Other recreational sports are using Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms much more effectively than other sports and the golf industry is missing out on opportunities left and right.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help your golf course reach more customers and reach more customers more effectively than other traditional forms of advertising – email me at Zeb@WelbornMedia.com.

I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the video we created for 19th Hole Media – New Marketing Methods for Golf Courses. Please visit our Facebook page to leave your comments for us to see how we can improve our presentation for future videos.

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Social Media Golf Marketing Outperforms Newspapers and Golf Magazines

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Zeb Welborn

As the golf industry has declined so have the budgets of golf courses trying to reach new customers. It’s an endless downward cycle resulting in fewer rounds being played at golf courses and fewer people taking up the game. Social media golf marketing outperforms newspapers and golf magazines in reaching more golfers, in targeting golfers and in engaging golfers more often.

Golf has been slow to react to the wave of new technology that other industries have been jumping on. Social media is one area in particular where golf courses at the local level are lacking which is failing to encourage new golfers to take up and play the game because they can get more added value from other, more socially active activities.

To grow golf, it is essential to continue to promote the game at the local level. Golf courses in every community should be working hard to encourage the members of their community to take up golf. As people who love the game it should be our duty to share the love we have with the game with so many others.

But, it needs to be affordable, it needs to be easy, and it needs to have an impact. Social media outperforms magazine and newspaper marketing in every imaginable category and the more time invested into a social media golf marketing campaign, the more impact your golf course will have on golfers.

Lets compare:

A local daily newspaper has a circulation of 119,000 people. The cost for a 3 x 5 ad is $340. To have your ad show up every day you would be $2,380 per week. The cost per thousand impressions is $2.86.

It does not target your market
There is no opportunity for follow up
Circulations are declining

A local golf magazine has a circulation of 50,000 people. The cost for an ad is $1,700. The magazine goes out once a month. The cost per thousand impressions is $13.60.

Targets golfers, some within your geographical region and some outside of your geographical region
There is no opportunity for follow up
Circulations are declining

19th Hole Media (Welborn Media) worked with a local golf course in Southern California for 18 months. At the end of our tenure we were reaching 77,136 people every week. We were being paid less than $250 per week. We were posting daily to their Facebook and Twitter pages and created blog posts and videos at sporadic intervals. The cost per thousand impressions was $0.88.

Targeted golfers within 50 miles of the golf course
Connections can last a lifetime
Number of impressions increases at a constant rate

Social Media Golf Marketing is better than golf magazine ads or newspaper ads. Welborn Social Media 19th Hole Media

Golf Magazine vs. Newspaper vs. Welborn Social Media (19th Hole Media)

In a side by side comparison of the advantages of social media marketing versus any other form of marketing, 19th Hole Media blows them out of the water. We reach more golfers, we cost less and we reach your golfers more often.

Let us show you what a social media golf marketing campaign can do for your golf course. Contact Zeb Welborn today at Zeb@WelbornMedia.com to schedule a free consultation for your golf course.

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