LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 16, 2013 –Fishhound, the outdoor industry's largest word- of-mouth marketing platform, announced today that their highly popular Facebook page now has more than 600,000 fans. This number reflects an increase of more than 100,000 fans since the ICAST show this summer. Social media platforms, including Facebook, are an essential part of the Fishhound program and are leveraged daily to update followers and drive them to desired calls to action.
As the web’s fastest-growing community of outdoor enthusiasts, Fishhound attributes its continued growth to word-of-mouth and content sharing between current Fishhound users and their friends. “The word-of-mouth component is multiplied greatly by the viral nature of social media,” notes Rick Patri, Fishhound’s Vice President, Operations. “Industry research shows that the average person on Facebook has 234 friends, so whenever someone “likes” or “shares” content about a brand or product, they are essentially validating and marketing that brand or product to 234 friends.”
Patri is also quick to point out the impact Fishhound’s huge Facebook fan base has when it comes to driving outdoor enthusiasts to the Fishhound.com website. “Honestly, I don’t want our Facebook fans to simply “like” or share” our posts on Facebook. I want to drive our 600,000 Facebook fans to Fishhound.com, educate them about the brands and products we work with, and then have them “like” or “share” that information on our site. If we can get 600,000 people on the site to tell their 234 Facebook friends to read content at Fishhound.com, that 600,000 times 234 can influence 140 million potential customers.”
Social media is instrumental in bringing anglers to Fishhound.com, where they can then take advantage of everything the website has to offer, including real-time fishing reports, the site’s Product Showcase and Field-Testing Program, useful fishing connections and resources, Fishhound TV, and much more.
The constant flow of angling enthusiasts to the site also allows Fishhound to link a large numbers of avid fishermen to the brands of tackle manufacturers and other companies seeking to reach this exact demographic. “We make it easy for our promotional partners to reach those likely to buy their products or use their services. They also have the opportunity to participate in our field-testing program, where our members field-test, report on and recommend their products to a huge angling audience through the Fishhound site and Facebook page.”