16.1. Social Media & Facebook

Many surf clubs are increasingly using social media to provide information to their members or promote the surf club services and membership opportunities to the local community. A key advantage of social media is that it allows virtual real-time communication with people and is particularly helpful in engaging with generations who have demonstrated a preference for this communication style.

Social Media and Facebook Tips

• Create a realistic social media schedule to improve your engagement and audience retention, e.g., commit to two or three posts per week.
• Follow other surf clubs, branches and state centre social media accounts for inspiration and guidance. It is a great way to find content relevant for your members or community that you can easily share.
• Take advantage of free apps that allow you to create free image or video templates, e.g., Mojo for Instagram.
• Share, Share, Share! Share your posts, and videos across all platforms and encourage other members to do the same. If you are on Instagram, add the link to your bio description. If you are on LinkedIn, this can also be a good platform to promote your calls for recruitment.
• Engage & Interact: Respond promptly to comments, messages, and mentions. Engage with your audience by asking questions, running polls, or encouraging discussions. Show appreciation for user-generated content by reposting or featuring tagged content on your page.
• Use relevant hashtags. Use hashtags that align with your content and audience. A mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags expand your reach and connect with broader communities.
• Analyse & Adapt! Regularly analyse your social media platforms and pay attention to metrics like engagement rate, reach and link clicks. It is extremely beneficial as you can see what content is performing best and resonating most with your audience, as well as best posting times.
• Utilise Stories & Live Videos! Stories and live videos offer real-time engagement and a more personal connect with your audience. Use them to showcase behind-the-scenes content for example: a bronze course training, events, workshops or do a Q&A!

Social Media and Facebook Do’s and Don’ts

If your club has decided to put together a Facebook page, here are a few hints and tips:

1. Keep it light hearted and simple Social media is meant to be fun – add in updates of what the club is up to, fun photos of members and remember to praise any successes. Don’t use social media to explain internal practices because everyone can see your page. Try not to add photos of drinking as this can be setting a bad example.
2. Do double-check your grammar This is a public profile page, so please make sure the content you are planning on putting up for relevance and grammar!
3. Do participate! It‘s very important to maintain your page, don’t set it up and leave it. It has to grow, and if anyone contacts you via the page make sure you reply (even if it is a complaint) at least that way people know that you care.
4. Share content It’s fine to share content, in face, tune into the SLSQ Facebook page or other clubs for ideas. Or if you have stories you would like SLSQ to share on the official Facebook page, get in touch.
5. Don’t use offensive images/words Avoid offensive jokes or images as users can take this the wrong way, light hearted is fine, but poking fun is not. Avoid politics/religion and current issues.
6. Deal with abusive behaviour If you have any users that post derogatory comments make sure these are deleted immediately and report the user via Facebook. If there is a work issue talk to the member offline. If you need further support on this contact to SLSQ directly.

Facebook is growing by the day so having a page is an excellent way to increase participation, especially for younger members. If you would like any assistance in social media contact the SLSQ Media and Communications team for advice and handy hints and tips.

Maintaining appropriate behaviour online and effectively managing feedback and criticism is essential for a positive and professional online presence. Please read the MPA1 – Member Social Media & Online Communications Policy.

SLSQ would also like to share your videos and images from events, stories from volunteers etc.
Upload your content here. However, please ensure images and videos are high quality.

For more information about social media use for surf clubs, how to manage your SLSCs social media accounts and more guidance please refer to SLSA Policy 6.20 – Social Media.