Normal CornBelters Using Social Media to Their Advantage

Last week I wrote about former Atlanta Braves prospect Robert Brooks joining the Independent Normal CornBelters to try and prolong a once promising career.

This week the CornBelters are jumping on the Facebook train at full speed.

Every person from now until the end of January who joins up as a new Facebook fan (www.facebook.com/CornBelters) will be entered into a draw to win a “20-person luxury suite for one game during the CornBelters' regular season in 2012.”

Winning the prize is usually the best part, but in this case second place is a very commendable result.

According to a press release on Our Sports Central,

“One winner will be chosen and notified on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10am. For those new Facebook fans who do not win, the "suite" deal won't be over! All new CornBelters Facebook fans will have the option to purchase a 20-person suite for the unbeatable price of just $250!”

In today’s Internet age, this is the type of promotion that any franchise should be using to promote themselves, especially Indy teams. And now that the CornBelters are making some headlines with the signing of Brooks, the response should be phenomenal.

Along with the Facebook promotion, the team has made it well-known that they have affordable ticket prices, and marketing opportunities are also available. With the majority of the Independent teams working with the same budget constraints and working in small towns, it looks like the CornBelters are taking a proactive approach to their 2012 campaign; Come see us, win prizes, and see great family friendly entertainment at the same time.

Many times it’s just about asking why? Why wouldn’t you want to attend our games, why wouldn’t you want to partner up? This team, based in Normal, Illinois, is asking the right questions. And after ranking fifth out of 12 teams in attendance, the fourth-ranked Lake Erie Crushers have some competition.

For more information, please visit the Normal CornBelters website here and follow them on Twitter.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals& Gateway Grizzlies, and is now an independent scout.