As a boxer how do you build a fanbase?

[lefthook82]

Bumped this because I'm seeing how well Brook is doing with proper promotion behind him. Not that hard is it?

[Deserter]

At first I was amazed no-one in this thread had stressed the importance of using social media properly in building a fan-base - Facebook and twitter can be incredibly effective (and low cost) if used correctly. However, I then realised most posted three years ago - shows how much has changed even in that time as digital accelerates change in communication strategies.
However, more conventional PR is also shamelessly neglected - everything from media relations with the local paper through to getting involved in CSR initiatives pays dividends.
Boxing promoters in the UK are by and large light years behind other sports in their adherence to PR and marketing best practice.

[chiggsy]

no probs@ bigmark

@cobra I agree with you

Defo the football thing is good, but if you are not affilaited to a club before you turn pro I think its difficult to then try to beg support after you've turn pro. It would feel a bit plastic

it would feel a bit plastic but i imagine it has been done as it proves it works. David Haye, Jeffries, Hatton, Mitchell all have following based on the teams they support and it does sell tickets. If a fighter is from a football city it does no harm making an appearence on the pitch before a game or mentioning the club and city in interviews as it does sell tickets.

jefferies is huge in sunderland anyway,haye is not a ticketseller,and neither is mitchell

The two times he sold the m.e.n out must of been
Because there was a popular salford prostitute ourside then?

[philipgill]

Just fight to the best of your ability and be as exciting as possible!! Have a personality and don't be afraid to speak your mind.. I ain't got the biggest fanbase BUT if your true to yourself and keep putting in 100% everytime you climb into the ring then it can only grow.

Well there's my 2 bob's worth for what it's worth, Which ain't worth much.

I agree mine isn't massive but its grown off the back of putting it all on the line and being prepared to take a few shots make the fights exciting so ppl go home remembering them! I always said this I'm no world better but my fights are always good entertainment! So the ppl have had value for there money fans love a throw back!!

Also I try to do as much in my community as I can and be seen to be doing the right things Iv Always been this way so its no hardship. Im in a position as many other pros to give kids someone to look up to and respect so the parents always get a few tickets off me!

[mickey1975]

it would feel a bit plastic but i imagine it has been done as it proves it works. David Haye, Jeffries, Hatton, Mitchell all have following based on the teams they support and it does sell tickets. If a fighter is from a football city it does no harm making an appearence on the pitch before a game or mentioning the club and city in interviews as it does sell tickets.

jefferies is huge in sunderland anyway,haye is not a ticketseller,and neither is mitchell

The two times he sold the m.e.n out must of been
Because there was a popular salford prostitute ourside then?

I posted that there years ago when Haye was giving away tickets for The O2.

[Quixall]

I think that PR will only get you so far. If your not very good, boring to watch etc etc, then what is the use of PR ? I think ultimately it's about how good you are, your fighting style, image, certainly your personality. Essentially, if you are winning your fights in style, knocking guys over and have something to say, with a little bit of cockiness mixed in, people will begin to notice you. I certainly think that be affiliated to a football club etc helps as others have said, but you need to aim to get on the channel 5 shows like Kid Galahad has achieved. If your a fighter who is above and beyone the avergae and you have the attributes i mentioned earlier, you will definately get noticed mate.

One piece of advice !!! Do not start slapping opponents at weigh ins

[chiggsy]

jefferies is huge in sunderland anyway,haye is not a ticketseller,and neither is mitchell

The two times he sold the m.e.n out must of been





Yea just seen the date of the post!!!
Sorry.
Because there was a popular salford prostitute ourside then?

I posted that there years ago when Haye was giving away tickets for The O2.

[chiggsy]

Just seen the date of the post,my apologies.

[m1kee50]

I see a lot of people out running who could be fighters, but you can't know... why not run in a t-shirt with your name on and saying when the next fight is.

Or go somewhere like Dagenham Market with a sandwich board. People go to bootsales and buy hundred-pound furniture or dearer things... they might well buy a ticket to a fight.

[m1kee50]

Also, approach local news media offering to write a monthly or weekly diary piece - training and gossip etc... local radio

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Also, approach local news media offering to write a monthly or weekly diary piece - training and gossip etc... local radio

Gossip?


Like Mandy Clazaghe taking it up the arse?

[m1kee50]

Also, approach local news media offering to write a monthly or weekly diary piece - training and gossip etc... local radio

Gossip?


Like Mandy Clazaghe taking it up the arse?

Your words not mine, mush!

[deadpan]

A great nickname
Cool ringwalk music
A sense of humour

[m1kee50]

A great nickname
Cool ringwalk music
A sense of humour

I reckon theres a massive difference between gaining fans from the boxing community, and drawing people in from the wider community to support you as a local boy/fellow football fan etc

[iamasadlittleboy]

Embrace the fans and media. I know this might be annoying for a fighter who needs to do training and stuff but try and do as many interviews as possible then you get sites like boxrec, eastside, ringsnews24, maxboxing and BS all talking about you and the interviews hitting around twitter and facebook all mushroom. If you can get on national TV somehow (Question of Sport, BBC News, Loose Women anything mainstream) then take it, get your face out there.

Use youtube, make sure someone (be it family, a manager or even yourself) puts fight footage of yourself on youtube for the fans to find, especially if you're an exciting fighter or score a nice looking KO. Arfan Iqbal's first bout got something like 5,000 views on youtube, sure it's not a lot but thats 5,000 views that wouldn't have seen it otherwise and people share that link which then again mushrooms.

Whilst you're allowed to have a personality don't be abusive to fans. Tony Bellew is a fantastic example of this, he puts his point forward, gets some stick on here but never gets abusive with folks unlike other fighters who seem to take any criticism as a reason to get personal. If you think that abusing fans will make you popular then you're massively mistaken.

Also don't come across as massively abusive to other fighters (the James DeGale issue) or pull out just before major fights as this will again hurt your popularity (George Groves). Yes you can repair things but it still hurts.

For what it's worth Iqbal's debut can be seen here btw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lctc7Fhjxo

[black panther]

Charisma I guess. I was just watching an old Hamed fight (vs Sergio Liendo) and he had the Scots chanting "Naseem, Naseem, Naseem" despite being from Sheffield and of Yemeni stock. Mind you he captured the imagination of fans around the world: he was a very special talent. Don't think we'll ever see anyone like him again.

I remember years back I was watching some obscure bill from Belgium(I think) on Eurosport. One boxer pulled a Hamed-esque defensive lean and a member of the crowd shouted in a foreign language something that ended in "Naseem Hamed" and the entire crowd in attendence simultaneously started laughing and clapping. In an obscure place like that, Hamed still had a massive influence; everyone knew who he was. Madness that he isn't in the IBHOF.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Also, approach local news media offering to write a monthly or weekly diary piece - training and gossip etc... local radio

Gossip?


Like Mandy Clazaghe taking it up the arse?

Your words not mine, mush!

Mandy Calzaghe is my perfect woman, ill have you know.

[Bard of Boxrec]

blah

Froch is about to sell out a 9,000-capacity arena in a few days.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

blah

Froch is about to sell out a 9,000-capacity arena in a few days.

Yeah?


Cool