Golf Instructors: Gotta Have a Community Managers If You Are Going To Be Social

It is no surprised to see more and more Golf Instructors using the social spaces. What is exciting is to see them using Google+.  That shows that some of them are finally Getting It and have come to realize that Social Search is where things happen for them.

However, it is disheartening to hear how many golf instructors neglect the the people in their online communities by not responding to them or not responding to them in a timely manor.  In a recent conversation I had with one of the golf instructors I know here locally the remark…

“I had to take my G+ App off my phone and turn off my notified options on Google+ because I was getting too many emails from people asking me questions.  I could not focus on my work which is teaching golf.  I could really use the new business G+ was generating for me but I don’t have time to manage all those emails and teach at the same time.”

Gotta Manage the Community

So, what is the solution?  For many golf instructors it boils down to them needing a Community Manager..someone to manager their social spaces.  This would keep them out on the range doing what they do best..teaching golf.    Some tips on being a better Community Manager

The issue is many golf instructors who do not understand how the business world has changed don’t see the value of having anyone manage their image online.  Nor will they invest into what they need to invest in which is their business promotions…or into their business to put it simply.

Why Not?  Most of the golf instructors I know carry their Smartphone’s and accept credit card payment on their phone..or..gasp..on their Tablets or iPads. Yes there are a few tech savvy golf professionals out there..especially the ones I have trained.  So why not have a Community Manager on staff?

Invest Being Social

The truth be know, it really does not cost that much to hire or contract someone to monitor a golf instructor’s spaces.  Especially if the results generate more business.  A community manager who understands golf might be rare or hard to find, but over all, the CM’s who do understand golf and the social spaces really could produce more revenue for the golf instructor.

That is, if the golf instructor let’s them do their jobs.  A few I have talked to want to cheap skate out on their needs by putting some sort of performance measurements on a CM.  That is not going to work..never did and never will.  A business owner would not put a performance measurement on their receptionist or secretary would they?  The answer is No, in case you need to know.

No Change Will Lead To No Business

Golf instructors need to get with the change in the business world.  It is now very clear the internet is the Yellow Pages and Newspaper Ads of yesterday.  Social Media is rapidly changing to Social Search..where the consumer..or in this case the golfer..searches the social spaces to find who they can trust in business.  Now that Google has entered the room to take what is being talked about on G+ and place it immediately into the Search Engines for the consumers to find quickly, there really is no other social space needed.

Community Mangers in the golf industry can make a difference not only for golf instructors but for private clubs, golf courses, resorts, golf retail stores and the list goes on.  The challenge is..the Community Manager has to be a golfer.  If they don’t know golf they will find themselves up against the wall when someone pings them on G+ telling them they are a Hooker and need it fixed.  That could get a little embarrassing for a CM who has no idea what that person just told them..or if they took it the wrong way.

It is time to Get After It if you are a golf instructor…take a positive step and get someone to what what people are saying about you online.  Let me know how I can help.