Steak Or Sizzle?

       Recently the GCSAA had started the "Thank a Superintendent" marketing campaign. I think this is a excellent way to attempt to grow the understanding of who is providing these great playing surfaces. But I will tell you, there are many Turf Managers who do not like to talk about themselves or their accomplishment. However, there are definitely more and more Superintendents who are using what is available to communicate to their members  about what projects and day to day maintenance is being completed. The guys who made comments about ,"you and your Twitter" , a few years ago are now realizing it is not going away.
       As the social media world continues to grow, I think it will become harder and harder for a Superintendent not to become a part of it. I have had the discussion,over the past few years, with many turf managers, who want nothing to do with any of it and that is their right. If it is not who you are, it is tough to change. The problem is the way people communicate and get their information is evolving.
       What is interesting is how is it all perceived. Absolutely, it is an easy way to get information out quickly, but there another part of it that people struggle with....self promotion. Self promotion is not something that many of us are comfortable with, but often it is something that is an unwanted necessity. The discussion of is it the steak or the sizzle, I have had many times with people. The guy down the street has pretty much the same conditions as you and for some reason they are getting seen as more than they are. Why? Well they have a weekly blog explaining the past week's projects, they tweet great pictures that make the course look good constantly, they have been posting You Tube videos of projects and equipment in use. What are you doing to communicate with your members?
Your blog was set up two years ago and you posted something last November. You think Twitter, Instagram and You Tube are for teenage girls , but you are frustrated when you keep getting comments about what they are doing at your neighbor's club!
       The truth is the current expectations of people is to have instant information and it is not going to get any less. The days of the article in the club's monthly newsletter with your recap of the past few weeks, is probably not going to cut it. While finding your "voice" in social media is not easy, it is something I would urge you to consider starting.




WJC