The majority of the functionality for Golf Tradr is now in place. A few odds & ends remain but the bulk of the game is there. The next step is to grow the player base. This week, 30 players are participating in the market – a far cry from where it will be in a month’s time. My goal is to have at least 250 players actively participating in the market over the next month. How many of those players will convert to a paid account? Time will tell.
What’s the plan to grow the player base over that time?
Social Media
As with 3 Up Golf, a key driver to growing awareness for a brand is via social media channels. Facebook’s new algorithms have frustrated me over the last year. Unless you pay to get your content in front of an audience, it isn’t seen. No thanks.
For Golf Tradr, I’ll focus primarily on Twitter. By providing PGA TOUR news updates, expert fantasy picks, market updates, and winning strategies, the Golf Tradr Twitter account should grow organically very nicely. In addition to organic growth, a budget will be allocated to provide direct users to GolfTradr.com as well as growing account follower base.
In addition, the Golf Tradr system will be auto-tweeting market details and special events to the @GolfTradr account.
Email Marketing
My monthly newsletter The Shag Bag (subscribe here) will also be used to help promote Golf Tradr. The latest issue had some great stats:
- 33% open rate
- 4.63% click rate
- 1% conversion rate (new account signups as compared to list size)
Given that Golf Tradr was a byline in the issue, I expect future issues to see a higher conversion rate. The next issue will feature it as the first article.
Invite System
There’s no better customer than a direct referral. Golf Tradr will be getting a built-in invite system soon which will allow players to invite their friends. Golf Tradr will remain invite-only for the remainder of the summer. The goal for this first stage is certainly to grow the player base, but to build a high-quality player base who will continue to play the game for a long time to come.