The state of the NFL on Facebook and Instagram for influencers
The NFL on Facebook and Instagram expansion agenda is scrolling fast. In June of 2018, I shared with you why the Dallas Cowboys were not the most followed NFL team on social media. Since then things have changed. Here is your opportunity now as an influencer to take advantage. Our goal here is to connect NFL fans at LIVE events off social media. It’s important we know where business is always booming as a result.
Over the last four years, the NFL has gone from 10 to 26 teams with at least 1 million or more followers on Instagram. When it comes to Facebook however there are a total of 24 teams with at least a million followers. The fact that 16 teams in 5 years have amassed over 1 million followers each proves the Dallas Cowboys have provided the “BluePrint” for early adopter social media influencers.
When you combine the NFL on Instagram and Facebook totals there are just over 42 million followers. Did you know that Facebook actually owns Instagram? The NFL knows this and is both equally important to reach their agenda’s objective. According to Statista Instagram is projected to net a total of 1.6 million new users by the year 2025. In ’21 Instagram had a total of 1.21 Billion users. That projection would put their total at 1.44 Billion users by ’25.
The NFL on Facebook and Instagram strategy for influencers
For both social media micro and macro-influencers this data is very important to us both. Why? Paying attention to numbers is something I enjoy when it comes to research to share with my audience. Just 4 years ago the Dallas Cowboys were not the most followed, and still are with a twist according to ODYSCI. Just last year.
The Patriots are at 4.6 million Instagram followers. Roughly 600K more Instagram followers than the Cowboys currently at 4 million. The Cowboys have a whopping 8.3M followers on Facebook. Whereas the Patriots are at about 6.7M followers there. Both teams lead on both platforms. Here are the Twitter and YouTube followers included thanks to ODYSCI.
The NFL recently struck a deal with Amazon to exclusively stream Thursday Night Football on their platform. Instagram was a platform built for stars. Which the NFL and NBA both capitalize on with their athletes as a result. The Cowboys have become the first NFL team to tap into the cryptocurrency space, landing a historic deal that was announced at The Star.
First to market is very important in the name of a business. Jerry Jones knows this. Why do you think they’ve enlisted assistance from Dez Bryant and his 2.3M Instagram followers with their cryptocurrency agenda? Reach. This should also flip the switch for influencers from off to on. The NFL is an annual social media marketing empire oozing with opportunity for both you and me.
AP/MICHAEL AINSWORTH. The Fanatics’ social media Impact on NFL micro-influencers
Conclusion
Facebook and Instagram are only 2 platforms. The Dallas Cowboys may not be the most followed on both however their combined REACH is where the difference lies. The State of the NFL on Instagram and Facebook will be an annual report published each May. Be sure to subscribe to my blog today for next year’s. Especially for my influencers.
After 6 years of creating content here in the trenches, it is important that we both see the BiG picture. Numbers don’t lie. It’s very clear that the NFL is growing at a rapid rate on Instagram. Especially for West Coast Cowboys fans who like to get out Boots on Ground each NFL season.
What will you do with this information now? My advice would be that if you’re on either platform creating content for your followers that you get started today. Have you ever heard of a Fan Base Creator? Anybody can essentially become one, but committing to growth through discipline consistently in the gym is a challenge. Join me in the GYM each day LIVE on Facebook and let’s develop some muscle together.
In the next 3 years, Instagram can potentially reach 1.44B total users. That’s with a B, not an M. Smells like a ripe opportunity for Fan Base Creators within all 32 NFL fan bases. Especially the Dallas Cowboys. After all, we have been setting the trends and leading the way since the 90s. Just check the numbers they don’t lie. No expiration dates.
I tip my hat to Derek Eagleton and the crew at The Star for the job they have done on both platforms over the last 4 years. Where will they be in the next 4 years? Only time will tell so be sure to subscribe to my blog today and check out how you can impact my content creation through Patreon below today.
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