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How WRC can better use social media
- Thread starter 27Stan
- Start date
Maybe as case study (anecdote). How did I get interested into WRC? -> Social media.
2015 the first Dirt Rally was released and through youtube I got recommended a let's play of it. Since I found it very interesting I started playing and started to scour youtube for rally videos, which got me even more interested. Then finally 2017(?) WRC+ started, which was so cheap at the time that it was basically youtube anyway and that sealed the deal.
That leads me to the first thing that absolutely must be done. Nearly everything on WRC+ must be available on Youtube & Twitch. Make WRC+ instead a place for the super hardcore fans with some other kind of goodies.
That's the first and most important task, since you cannot promote what no one can see
2015 the first Dirt Rally was released and through youtube I got recommended a let's play of it. Since I found it very interesting I started playing and started to scour youtube for rally videos, which got me even more interested. Then finally 2017(?) WRC+ started, which was so cheap at the time that it was basically youtube anyway and that sealed the deal.
That leads me to the first thing that absolutely must be done. Nearly everything on WRC+ must be available on Youtube & Twitch. Make WRC+ instead a place for the super hardcore fans with some other kind of goodies.
That's the first and most important task, since you cannot promote what no one can see
Every stage?
Everything what is currently there + live onboards from every car, live cameras from the service park, maybe even some live cameras from the stage.
Costly, but this is the time to invest
Initial investment is too high to download a (let's be honest), not very good app / create an account on a website. We need to be where the people currently are and that's Tiktok, Youtube, Twitch
If you did that you now start to involve the already existing WRC video creators and officially endorse them and supply them with more information / oppurtunities to create more and better videos (and don't copyright strike your creators! ...)
Once that is done you buy some time from the big influencers (but don't rely on them, the conversion rate is not that high, but it needs to be done to get word out)
If you are lucky the seeds in social media now grows
Once that is done you buy some time from the big influencers (but don't rely on them, the conversion rate is not that high, but it needs to be done to get word out)
If you are lucky the seeds in social media now grows
deephouse
Senior member
Shorts from interviews, funny things, drama, interesting things, making service on road, overshooting, spinning, crashes and put it on every popular social media. Engourage crews to co-operate or caught them by surprise. Making articles from things they say or have opinions. Insight into teams, their work, behind the scenes, people who nobody know about, but are important... Putting some interesting fans perspective into the picture, their videos, marshalls, athmospehere, animals, nature, type of roads up close... Before running the stage maybe technical insight and points to watch for, tactics, tyres...
Something already out of that is already done, but I think on a too little scale.
Something already out of that is already done, but I think on a too little scale.
saco0o
Senior member
i hate this modern world where nobody can just "be".
my mate is a tattoo artist... but he cant be just that, he needs to follow stupid modern trends on social media.. because.... because....??... if he doesnt, he dont find new costumers. so he does all the silly bits and.... get nothing. but he 'needs to keep doing'... and paying publications on IG to "do better."
and its the same for another mates that are musician, psychologist, business owners in several different sectors. one of them is a really cute girl, she hates to 'post her pictures' online, especially on her business (jewerly stuff). now she started to appear on the pictures and realized she started to get tons of likes and followers, but shes not selling more. its just guys liking her pictures because shes cute. its so dumb.
its sooo weird. and now its almost like f1's sudden success with netflix and childish social media stunts are living renting free in everyone's head. like if every racing series could achieve the same with 'a netflix type of show and loads of retard videos on social media with drivers guessing the color of each other *PANTIES....
its so annoying, f1 is f1. period.
nitrocross tried really hard to use social media with constant bombardment of 'content', with flying cars, travis pastrana, huge jumps, huge crashes, lia block, drivers shit talking each other, 'drama', hot girls.... and the series failed. nothing is certain.
and its not like wrc, motocross, drift, rallycross, v8sc, nascar, superbike, dtm, wec, w2rc, truck racing, sprintcars etc etc... arent all trying to win the social media game. they all are, but its an unwinnable game.
sorry for the rant, i just dont understand stuff anymore
my mate is a tattoo artist... but he cant be just that, he needs to follow stupid modern trends on social media.. because.... because....??... if he doesnt, he dont find new costumers. so he does all the silly bits and.... get nothing. but he 'needs to keep doing'... and paying publications on IG to "do better."
and its the same for another mates that are musician, psychologist, business owners in several different sectors. one of them is a really cute girl, she hates to 'post her pictures' online, especially on her business (jewerly stuff). now she started to appear on the pictures and realized she started to get tons of likes and followers, but shes not selling more. its just guys liking her pictures because shes cute. its so dumb.
its sooo weird. and now its almost like f1's sudden success with netflix and childish social media stunts are living renting free in everyone's head. like if every racing series could achieve the same with 'a netflix type of show and loads of retard videos on social media with drivers guessing the color of each other *PANTIES....
its so annoying, f1 is f1. period.
nitrocross tried really hard to use social media with constant bombardment of 'content', with flying cars, travis pastrana, huge jumps, huge crashes, lia block, drivers shit talking each other, 'drama', hot girls.... and the series failed. nothing is certain.
and its not like wrc, motocross, drift, rallycross, v8sc, nascar, superbike, dtm, wec, w2rc, truck racing, sprintcars etc etc... arent all trying to win the social media game. they all are, but its an unwinnable game.
sorry for the rant, i just dont understand stuff anymore
Ivlian
Active member
Your points are correct, but Every racing series is doing that and nobody is "growing". Its like we are stuck in this loop of "Post that funny thing on Instagram", then it gets 87k likes.... And then nothing changes.
Fast-Eddie
Senior member
I see plenty of rally content on social media and especially fan videos on You Tube. It should wow plenty of people and theres still lots of youngsters who are petrol-heads.
I dont know that more official content will bring fans to the sport as it's not actually as good / exciting. And even if someone really likes a clip, becoming a real rally fan from that is still a long way off.
The new Promoter has its work cut out.
I dont know that more official content will bring fans to the sport as it's not actually as good / exciting. And even if someone really likes a clip, becoming a real rally fan from that is still a long way off.
The new Promoter has its work cut out.
GigiGalliNo1
Senior member
See what Hyundai do on their social media? That.
Hyundai is doing a brilliant job on their socials, Oliver Solberg also doing great with his channel. WRC sometimes does good viral coverage as well, but we need more of it from a proper Promoter, let's see what they are cooking.
I would add more stuff, like:
- POV around the fans in the service park, giving a VIP pass to go on the other side of the fences (like Mercedes is doing in F1, inviting random fans behind-the-scenes).
- atmosphere moments
- Fan-POV vlogs and funny situations from around the stages
- Funny content from drivers
www.facebook.com
I would add more stuff, like:
- POV around the fans in the service park, giving a VIP pass to go on the other side of the fences (like Mercedes is doing in F1, inviting random fans behind-the-scenes).
- atmosphere moments
- Fan-POV vlogs and funny situations from around the stages
- Funny content from drivers
46K views · 342 reactions | During the 2004 Rally of Turkey, Marcus Grönholm and co-driver Timo Rautiainen suffered one of the WRC’s strangest incidents when their Peugeot 307 WRC struck the remains of a roadside marker. A metal rod pierced the floor
During the 2004 Rally of Turkey, Marcus Grönholm and co-driver Timo Rautiainen suffered one of the WRC’s strangest incidents when their Peugeot 307 WRC struck the remains of a roadside marker. A...
www.facebook.com
saco0o
Senior member
yep! and theres nascar, formulae, v8sc, f2, indycar, etc etc they are all creating 'content' and trying to get new fans. its too much. its so much that its almost pointless.
im a racing fan (well, we are - here) and eventually i see one thing or another (mostly when someone repost on reddit) but look, they are not 'catching me' as a new fan.
its a weird math. the WOW factor is also weird. theres that 'king of the road' thing over there in ireland. superbikes racing in normal roads on the country side. thats the most impressive thing ever EVER... and still im not watching.... because its behind a pay wall and i dont even understand the class structures. never found a proper expalantion. but i know its one of the most impressive things in motorsport. maybe rally has the potential but theres these things that make it hard for new fans to come?
im getting interested in watching motogp again. they are getting new bikes next year, i have been watching highlights these last 2 seasons, it looks good and dangerous. (random thoughts, sorry)
Fast-Eddie
Senior member
Could I ask any younger people on the forum how they came to be rally fans ?
I think it's pretty difficult for those of us who became fans in the 20th century to comment on how it happens now. Although some things must be similar, like a love of cars being driven spectacularly.
I agree about the limit of social media clips though. Many people must think, yeah thats awesome... but then look at the next thing, not wow I must follow this new sport. It takes something much deeper than that to get them properly hooked.
Oh another thing.. video gaming. I've heard loads of people say that rally games got them into the sport. Is this still happening?
I think it's pretty difficult for those of us who became fans in the 20th century to comment on how it happens now. Although some things must be similar, like a love of cars being driven spectacularly.
I agree about the limit of social media clips though. Many people must think, yeah thats awesome... but then look at the next thing, not wow I must follow this new sport. It takes something much deeper than that to get them properly hooked.
Oh another thing.. video gaming. I've heard loads of people say that rally games got them into the sport. Is this still happening?
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deephouse
Senior member
Yes, it is. I was into rallying from diapers as I remember that my parents always tell me, I was looking at some encyclopedia about vehicles and there was motorsport section and rally cars in it, Audi quattro and Lancia Delta from group A era. That I already showed some interest back then. When I grew up this love for this sport just grew more. I guess I was born with this. And nobody else out of my family, friends, and people around me are not into it, as they barely know that this even exist.
Then when we got first computer (around 5th grade), we didn't have internet, but my brother install Colin McRae Rally 04 on PC. Then I became a real hard core fan. I pretty much play video games a lot back then, but this thing was absolutely the best. Then around few years ago, during corona, I discovered Rallysimfans (RBR heavily modded version), since then I didn't touch any other game, because no game, not even new ones are not a match to this (I must admit, that I tried this RBR several times, and everytime I ended up cursing and deleting it from computer, until I actually learn how to drive).
So yes, the games do play a big role in it. And kids are even more into it than I was back then. And esports and whatosever.
I also noticed on Croatia events, that there was many kids who shouted names of drivers, while parents seems not interested and was just there with beer in phones in their hands.
Then when we got first computer (around 5th grade), we didn't have internet, but my brother install Colin McRae Rally 04 on PC. Then I became a real hard core fan. I pretty much play video games a lot back then, but this thing was absolutely the best. Then around few years ago, during corona, I discovered Rallysimfans (RBR heavily modded version), since then I didn't touch any other game, because no game, not even new ones are not a match to this (I must admit, that I tried this RBR several times, and everytime I ended up cursing and deleting it from computer, until I actually learn how to drive).
So yes, the games do play a big role in it. And kids are even more into it than I was back then. And esports and whatosever.
I also noticed on Croatia events, that there was many kids who shouted names of drivers, while parents seems not interested and was just there with beer in phones in their hands.
I'm not Gen Z, but more Millennial let's say.
Anyway, I became passionate about rallying when the start of the Italian gravel championship was held in the central square of my city back in 2004. There were sponsors coming to giveaway goodies, good party atmosphere with music and these very roaring cars on the starting ramp. I got hooked immediately by the whole atmosphere and I was so happy to get back home with loads of stuff.
One year later, I bought WRC Rally Evolved, which was the 2nd official WRC game ever done for PS2 and in the same year I went to my first Rally Sardinia.
Afterwards, I got so involved into it that I decided to start doing it as a profession, becoming a journo and going to many WRC and ERC events for the news outlet that hired me. Now I'm 10+ years away from journalism and rallying, even though I'm still keeping an eye, hoping that a Promoter can extract the full potential.
Long story short, n my case Marketing played a pivotal role into getting me to rallying. Italy back then until today was - and it is - football, Valentino Rossi (not anymore) and Ferrari (not even F1, just Ferrari). To break this habit, you need to work on making the experience memorable with other tools than the rally cars themselves.
Anyway, I became passionate about rallying when the start of the Italian gravel championship was held in the central square of my city back in 2004. There were sponsors coming to giveaway goodies, good party atmosphere with music and these very roaring cars on the starting ramp. I got hooked immediately by the whole atmosphere and I was so happy to get back home with loads of stuff.
One year later, I bought WRC Rally Evolved, which was the 2nd official WRC game ever done for PS2 and in the same year I went to my first Rally Sardinia.
Afterwards, I got so involved into it that I decided to start doing it as a profession, becoming a journo and going to many WRC and ERC events for the news outlet that hired me. Now I'm 10+ years away from journalism and rallying, even though I'm still keeping an eye, hoping that a Promoter can extract the full potential.
Long story short, n my case Marketing played a pivotal role into getting me to rallying. Italy back then until today was - and it is - football, Valentino Rossi (not anymore) and Ferrari (not even F1, just Ferrari). To break this habit, you need to work on making the experience memorable with other tools than the rally cars themselves.
deephouse
Senior member
I just watch some AMERICANS reacting to rally for the first time. I know that some are fake and surely some of them probably already heard about this sport, as Pastrana, Block and Semenuk are huge names there, but America being completely blank on this sport, no wonder that there is no popularity on numbers. It's about time, WRC should be coming there.
WRC Rally Evolved (2005 season) wasn't the 2nd official PS2 game, it was the 5th. The 2nd one would be WRC II Extreme (2002 season), which is 100% what made me interested in rallying, although I always liked cars since I was little.
I had 0 relatives interested in cars, some friends interested in cars but not rallying, no rally event nearby. I already knew what rallying was through common knowledge, but playing WRC II Extreme I thought it was the greatest motorsport ever. Ran on all surfaces, all weathers, at night, cars with different shapes and not copy-pasted single seaters or prototypes, based on actual road cars (yes, loosely, who cares). And back then, you had road cars like Lancer Evo, Impreza WRX, Focus RS and the much more common Saxo VTS, Punto Abarth, 206 GTI etc.
Nowadays, way more people know what rallying is, way more YT videos and social media posts, many videogames. And there are better ways to follow it. In my opinion, the requirement for a potential fan is that he's interested in cars, I don't believe in many average Netflix Joes not caring for cars but getting somehow interested in rallying. Exception is VERY young kids seeing racing/rally cars for the first time.
Someone who likes car can get hooked up in a rally video game for sure and decide to follow the real thing. But there's the need to stop hiding everything behind a paywall, no matter how cheap it is. YouTube lives give visibility, and they need to show at least some stages on there for free for interest to grow, shakedown is nowhere near enough. Nobody is going to pay anything or start following the championship because they see the opening ceremony on YT or a funny TikTok on Fourmaux's favourite hobby.
Of course, all of this becomes academic in the case of 2027 only bringing abominations.