Happy New Year to Members Old & New
As I look back on 2008, and forward to 2009, I am excited at how iStadia has developed as a community and how it could, if we all put a little into it. These are some personal thoughts about iStadia.A Year of Progress
We've grown considerably this year - almost hitting the 900 members mark. Unfortunately I can't remember how many we had at the start of the year but I'm confident that next year we will multiply the membership in 2009 rather than just grow it.
We are now bringing in over 7000 unique visitors a month, with over 25, 000 page views. Compared to last year, we are bringing in more than triple the number of visitors, and more than double the page views.
Of course, the economic environment is hard for everyone in business just now, and I can speak for both Keith and myself when I say that we are grateful for the support of our premium members. I know that they can gain a great deal of benefit from their membership, but as we are a niche site and not a Facebook or a Linked In, subscriptions are important to our survival and growth. Funding is hard to come by, as it is for everyone, and this means that we can't always develop things and make improvements, or market the site to grow the membership, as quickly as we might like.
The Year Ahead
Looking forward, however, I do think that we've found the 'magic formula' that will take us to another level entirely, by bringing more people to the site and providing more specific focal points for people with common interests to interact - both of which are good news for our professional and business members. These 'communities' should be ready in Q1 of this year, but in the meantime we have set up some pages to start bridging the gap - 'centers'. These pull together related content and should start to bring in more visitors, but are a 'quick and dirty' solution and don't have the sophistication or interaction that we are planning to build.
Why do I think that this will work for everyone? Well, iStadia is currently very much a 'long tail' site. The long tail refers to the markket that is created by the sum total of lots of, say, web pages, that are individually get quite small numbers of visitors but in total get a lot. Visitors are attracted by the content that our members create. The more you create, the more will come, and that's working well.
On the other hand, our homepage is also 'niche'. Although the online networking phenomenon is growing, there are not yet many thousands of people each day searching for 'networking for sport and exercise professionals'!
So we have to fill in the middle. That's where the communities come in. We are confident that we can get high google placements for search terms such as 'sports science' (technically incorrect but more popular than 'sport science', sports business, sports coaching - or even Soccer Performance, Tennis Performance and so on.
Why is that important? Well, we believe that it will bring more people who are interested in these things - potential customers and business contacts - to you, the sport and exercise professionals.
So I'm excited about that.
A Request for 2009
But looking at the site we have, and the community we have, there is one wish that I have for 2009, and that is to unite those who were with us and were active at the start, with those that are currently active.
Looking back to 2007, we got some people interested in iStadia and they came on and started interacting. But we didn't have the numbers and there wasn't much of a response. Some of them have been dormant since. So, if you get to read this, the one thing I ask is that everyone invest a little time to explore iStadia now and again, and to engage with those that are posting good stuff, as well as perhaps posting something yourself.
If everyone takes just a few moments from time to time, then they really will be rewarded with new contacts, new ideas, and possibly new business or even friendship.
Happy New Year!
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
Internet Marketing & SEO for Sports Business - iStadia Works
For any sports business looking to use the internet as a marketing tool, iStadia works.Here is a relatively trivial example, yet one that demonstrates what can be achieved by posting on iStadia - whether that be through blogs, articles, news, jobs or events.
Some time ago, I reposted a video of former England football manager, Steve McLaren, and his rather strange and newly acquired Dutch accent. I noticed that it had received a lot of hits. Of course, the subject has been a popular one in the United Kingdom, so I didn't hink too much of it. Tonight, however, I Googled "Steve McLaren Dutch" out of curiosity.
Here are the results:
Posting iStadia put us ahead of the Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail newspaper sites, which are all major National papers. All have the keywords in the title. It even puts us ahead of Wikipedia (though their entry doesn't have 'Dutch' in the title) and the original Youtube post itself - which was further down the page than my image.
Of course, it isn't just in this case that we can punch above our weight. During the summer we were on Page 1 for 'Olympic News' above many of the leading news agencies, as as a result our visits multiplied by around 300%.
How do you make your content work for you?
1) Choose the keywords that you want people to find your content for
2) Embed your keywords in the TITLE, TEXT and TAGS of the post
3) Include a signature with a link to your own website or iStadia profile, using your keywords as 'anchor text' (of which this is an example). This is easy to do with our editor (highlight the text and choose the chain icon).
Find out how to get even more SEO, marketing and networking benefits from iStadia.
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
Could Jordan compete in the Olympics?
I've just watched a video in which glamour model Jordan (Katie Price) states her ambition to ride (horses) in the Olympics. I know that she's pretty serious about her horse riding, and that she rode at the Horse of the year show, but is she really anywhere near being able to qualify for the Olympics in her chosen event, the dressage?
I've really no idea whether she has any talent for the sport at all. I've only heard the odd report, and she appears to have had some decent results. But that doesn't make her an Olympic hopeful.
It must be quite hard to take for some of the equestrian establishment. Imagine, a Playboy centerfold riding on the same team as the Queen's grandaughter (Zara Phillips).
Whatever you think of Jordan, she doesn't do things in half measures, so this could be an interesting story to follow.
Good luck to her.
Here's the interview with Clare Balding of the BBC
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
BBC Sports Personality of the Year - Celebrating British Sporting Success (for a change)
This Sunday, we have the quaint tradition of the 'Sports Review of the Year', hosted by the BBC, during which the British public votes for their Sports Personality of the Year.For those of you that are not British and are new to this, 'personality' has little to do with it. For a long time, neither did success, one could argue. Who can forget Greg Rusedski winning the title?
But this year has been a wonderful year for British sport. OK, so we'll never be the US, China and we might not catch Russia in 2012, but our sporting culture has been transformed - at least in part due to the lottery funding and UK Sport.
Our Olympians came home from Beijing a remarkable 4th, and our cyclists absolutely dominated. That's why we have 7 Olympians in the 10 final nominees (below, links to the BBC site) and four cyclists - including Chris Hoy with 3 Golds, but not Victoria Pendleton who would have had the same if women had the same events as the men (nor Mark Cavendish who won 4 Tour de France stages). Indeed, tthe only nominee that is not either an Olympic or World Champion is Andy Murray, but he had a great year nonetheless, winning his first masters series events and reaching the final of the US Open.
Of course, Lewis Hamilton will probably win it, but I can't get excited about racing cars I'm afraid.
Here are the famous 10.
Being a swimmer and a Scot, I'm torn between Rebecca Adlington and Hoy, but I'm going to root for Adlington. What about you?
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
Were Arsenal Fans Right to Boo Eboue?
The booing that Emmanuel Eboue received from the his own (Arsenal) fans as he was taken off this weekend has sparked a great deal of media debate. I think there are a number of reasons why Arsenal fans felt that it was OK to boo him on Saturday, although few appear to be justifying it in retrospect.Reason 1: Fans think that they can 'see' a player's lack of motivation, but they can't
This is absolutely fallacious. As human beings we are all relatively well trained at observing people and making judgements, for they are often required without further evidence, but we often get it wrong. Michael Apter's observations of truant children in the 1970's, that led to the formation of Reversal Theory led him to realise that
you cannot reliably infer motivation from observing behaviour. Take the behaviour of truancy. When talking to truants, Apter realised that there were polar motivations at play. While some children were driven by a need for safety, because school was frightening, others were driven by a need for fun and excitement (school was boring).In Eboue's case, Arensal fans have cited his lack of effort, that he appeared not to care, as justification for booing him off. Apparently he was rotten on Saturday, but I'll not be the judge of that. What we have is a player that made his name at right back, struggled with injury, lost his place on the team, was moved to the right wing to less effect, and then was asked to play on the left wing on Saturday. Fans talked about his lack of movement, and apparent disinterest in the game. As much as anything, this could equally point to a player, bereft of confidence, that doesn't know what to do; and an anxious player frightened to make mistakes. You wouldn't blame him for that, would you, but they main point is that an anxious player, lacking confidence, i an unfamiiar role probably doesn't look all that different from a player that doesn't care.
Reason 2: Fans are customers and believe that they reserve the right to show their displeasure
This, I think, the football industry has cultivated. Crazy ticket prices, players on astronomical salaries. It isn't that there aren't arguments to justify player salaries, but football has turned into big business, and fans can no longer be expect to stick with the team through thick and thin. Football has lost its connection to the community. Going to the football is no longer an expression of affiliation to that community. Fans are customers now. Given the prices that they pay, whether to watch on TV or to get to the game, they expect to be treated like customers. That means that they expect the product to be up to scratch, including the performance of the players. They
expect, perhaps rightly but not rationally, players to live up to their salaries week in, week out.The sport of football and football clubs have courted a wider fan base. They promote their brand globally. Their consumers are not fans - not in the way that they used to be - and cannot be expected to be as loyal as they used to be. If the brand doesn't live up to expectation they will express their dissatisfaction - as Eboue discovered on Saturday (and Birmingham City directors discovered in May - pictured right).
Reason 3: Crowds of people don't behave like they do as individuals
Of course this is nothing new. Social Psychologists have long studied crowd behaviour and it is apparent that the psychology of the crowd is different from that of the individuals within it. What's important here is that given the possible combinations of Reason 1 and Reason 2, the Arsenal fans that did boo Eboue from the pitch last weekend might not have done so individually.
I don't think that many would, in retrospect, justify the behaviour of the Arsenal fans towards their own player, but we can understand it. If I am right in my assessment, the players can only expect more, not less, of the same.
Check out my article for more on Reversal Theory, or connect with Michael Apter direct.
Recommended reading on RT:
Apter, M.J. (Ed.) (2001). Motivational Styles in Everyday Life: A Guide to Reversal Theory.
Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Kerr, J.H. (1997). Motivation and Emotion in Sport: Reversal Theory. Hove (U.K.): The
Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis).
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
Prospective 2016 Olympic Hosts Present to the IOC
The four cities, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago, bidding to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, presented their bids to the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Istanbul Turkey on Friday (source: Gamesbids.com).The language used by the prospective hosts is certainly a sign of the times, with a strong focus on safety, financial responsibility and sustainability key themes:
"Carlos Nuzman, President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) spoke on behalf of Rio. He said, "Rio is a passionate city. Its natural beauty, diversity and energy will provide an incredible stage for the Games. The venues will be full and the celebration will flow into the streets. The excitement will be contagious - whether you are at an event or watching on television. And the world will unite to celebrate a shared humanity"."
"Madrid's Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon highlighted the security behind Madrid's bid. He said, "in these times of financial instability throughout the world Madrid offers reliability. He said this economic and institutional reliability has already seen the Madrid bid working with "the support of government, political parties, unions, firms and especially our Royal Family. And above all, the Spanish public of whom 93 per cent have expressed their backing for the Games to be in their capital". "
"Tokyo 2016 outlined its vision to stage the "most compact and sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games ever", with the benefit of "completely robust finances, regardless of the global economic situation"."
"Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan said during Chicago's presentation, "the EOC presentation is critical to our bid in terms of communicating our vision for the Games and gaining feedback on our bid plan. As we move into the final months before the Candidature File is due, the insight we capture from leaders of sport is of utmost importance". "
Chicago, understandably, also wheeled out President-elect Barack Obama (on video) who said "the United States would be honoured to have the opportunity to host the Games and serve the Olympic movement. As president elect I see the Olympics and Paralympic Games as an opportunity for our nation to reach out, welcome the world to our shores, and strengthen our friendships across the globe".
The host will be decided in October 2009.
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
What next as Roy Keane leaves Sunderland?
This week Roy Keane left Sunderland, after just over 2 years in charge of the Black Cats. What's behind this? Is it a good decision for Keane? What lies in store for the former Manchester United man?
Of course I can't answer all of these questions, but as a sport psychologist, football fan and talent manager I can't help but have my views. There's also no shortage of opinion in the media to draw upon.
Roy Keane - Player to Manager
The first thing to note is that Keane's entry into football management was at least as unexpected as his departure from Sunderland. As a player, he had little patience for other players, and indeed coaches or officials, that didn't have his passion and drive for performance. But he was also a very contradictory character, capable of being very self-destructive (notably his feud and possibly career-ending tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland).
At the time of his appointment, I thought that he would be spectacularly successful as a manager or a complete train wreck. I have to admit I was leaning to the latter, but his strength of character and refusal to accept the status quo meant that he was, in retrospect, the perfect catalyst for a revival at the Stadium of light.
Problems mount
Having created change at the club, Roy Keane then took Sunderland to the Premier League. Although the squad was limited in ability, its spirit and determination helped Sunderland to survive its first season without relegation. At this point we had seen very little, if any, of Keane's more volatile nature, as he remained the model of calm and focus on the touchline.
In the close season, however, it became apparent that even with Keane in charge, Sunderland was not the most attractive destination for the best players. In the end, Keane spent over £70 million on 33 players, as he had to compromise on quality and found himself with a bloated squad. He had some genuine quality in specific positions, but Keane's Sunderland was not a team of superstars.
In order to take the club on a level, not just to fight relegation but to climb the league, Sunderland would need to sell before buying any more players. That could prove to be difficult (for the next manager).
There has been talk of Keane losing the confidence of the players of late. His team has lost six from the last seven games. It certainly seems that Roy Keane questioned his ability to take the club any further.Looking ahead
It is probably safe to assume that Roy Keane is as ambitious as a manager as he was as a player. When it looked like he had taken Sunderland as far as he was likely to, this may have created a problem for Keane.
People have talked about Roy Keane as a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Whether that's his goal or not, the Sunderland job was not going to be a platform from which Keane could demonstrate that he has the qualities to be manager of an elite club on a European level. His chances of European football were slim, so he wasn't going to demonstrate that he could guide a team to the European Cup or Premier League title. He wasn't going to be able to demonstrate that he could manage the most talented players.
So Roy Keane, Sunderland manager, was always going to be a risk for a top European team to recruit.
If he was to become a top team's manager, he wasn't going to do that from the Stadium of Light. But the Sunderland job could be a stepping stone to a stepping stone to a top job. Maybe he could be the next Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham or, dare I say it, Newcastle manager (not assuming that any of these jobs will be available any time soon). Should he take a team like this to regular European football, with some sort of trophy along the way, then perhaps the top job would be realistic. At least it would take him one step closer.
The alternative for Keane might have been relegation, and he might not have been able to contemplate having relegation - or failure - on his CV.
As a talent manager, I think that while the timing and nature of his resignation from Sunderland could have been better, he was going to have to leave some time soon. Sunderland was Keane's "development role" in talent management language. If it wasn't going to give him more opportunity to develop in the ways that he wants to, he was right to go.I can't predict Keane's next move, let alone his next again, but I will say that the manner of his resignation this week, in an unmanaged and abrupt manner (how has he helped his successor?) probably hasn't helped his cause. It suggests that he's still not quite thinking about the bigger picture - something he'll have to do at a top club - and it also serves as a reminder of his volatile past.
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
