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Scott @ The Online Rule

@theonlinerule.com
124 followers 180 following 83 posts

Analysing how football teams use marketing to engage with fans. Read in-depth pieces and sign up for the newsletter at onlrl.co/bluesky.

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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 24/09/2025
I’ve just published a new piece on what fans really value – and it’s not just trophies. A study highlights 6 factors: history, community, handling criticism, professionalism, passion & loyalty. Any club can deliver on these 👉 onlrl.co/tqvshn
onlrl.co
What fans value - and how you can deliver it
It's not just about trophies. A strong club brand is built on fan passion and loyalty. A recent study has highlighted six simple ways clubs can strengthen their identities and keep fans coming back.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 09/09/2025
Great example of how to showcase players’ personalities. Barnsley have stayed away from the typical headshots for something a bit more dynamic. It makes things feel more human and engaging. And it’s a nice little Easter egg for fans who visit the team pages. Personality beats polish.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 21/08/2025
428 posts. 31.8 million likes. 280k comments. The Premier League’s opening weekend wasn’t just on the pitch, it was on Instagram too. Liverpool might have led the way with 12.7m likes, but Bournemouth and Sunderland stole the spotlight on engagement. Read more 👇 onlrl.co/ceylw6
onlrl.co
How Premier League clubs kicked off the season on Instagram
Including the weekend's most popular posts, a post-match interview format you're going to want to steal, and a sprinkling of social media updates.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 19/07/2025
Did a dive into which clubs grew their Instagram followings the most last season. The main stand-out is Oxford United. They grew by over 300%, with the main growth happening after the signing of Marselino Ferdinand in the summer window.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 01/04/2025
With the news that Italy’s Serie A now has an official Reddit account, I had a look at what that means and how sports teams have used the platform in the past (spoiler: not very well). #SportsMarketing | #DigiSport onlrl.co/qi4yut
theonlinerule.com
Serie A get ahead of the curve with new Reddit partnership
Who will be next?
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 26/03/2025
This from @milkkarten.bsky.social’s Link In Bio (fantastic all around) is a really insightful look at what goes on for marketing teams behind the scenes. It’s around the Super Bowl, so a bit atypical, but fascinating to see the process. #SportsMarketing open.substack.com/pub/milkkart...
open.substack.com
Day in the Life of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Director of Social Media
Super Bowl LIX, slow elevators, and a Gatorade shower: Julie Bacanskas gives us an hour-by-hour account of the team's big win.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 03/02/2025
I really like this pre-match email from MK Dons. I think there's a template here that more clubs should follow to ensure their emails are useful. Firstly, a link through to a written match preview and interviews about this game. #SportsMarketing | #DigiSport
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 31/01/2025
A lot of pros are turning to LinkedIn in anticipation of their post-football careers, as well as what’s covered here. We’ve seen managers like Jesse Marsch start posting, and the likes of Jordan Henderson and Raphael Varane too. Clubs could be better at it. There’s a lot of untapped potential.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 21/01/2025
Really like it when clubs use photography like this. They show what the match day experience is really like from the perspective of fans. It's a great and unique angle to use in your build-up content. Helps when they look great as well. Solid work from @newcastleunited.com. #SportsMarketing
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 21/01/2025
This is a great example of how teams can use content produced by supporters' groups and travelling fans. In this case, West Ham spotted a fan was heading over from America for a game and met up with him to document his day. This was pushed by the club's US account as well as the league's.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 05/12/2024
This week marks 11 years of The Online Rule. Don’t think I had any idea when I set up the initial site back then that I’d still be posting and following sports marketing all this time later. Thanks to everyone who’s engaged, followed, and subscribed.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 03/12/2024
More evidence that teams should be trying to tap into the pre-engaged worldwide communities on Reddit. Some of this growth is down to search engine changes, but it’s always been a popular site.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 03/12/2024
If I ever get invited onto @footballcliches.bsky.social’s MHDs I’ll use all 3 of my irritations to explain why clubs referring to their social media manager as “admin” should be punishable by relegation.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 03/12/2024
Brentford’s Gen10 is a perfect example of how to ensure there’s a future generation who get to experience live football; they’re capping junior tickets for home and away fans at £10. Actions speak a lot louder than words. www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/arti...
brentfordfc.com
Brentford launches Gen10 - another commitment to affordable football
For the rest of this season, travelling junior fans* will pay no more than £10 to watch Brentford in the Premier League; Thomas Frank:
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 03/12/2024
I’ve taken a look at what teams are doing to make match days memorable for fans. Take a look at examples including game-specific info on websites, and social posts from SLOs. A lot of clubs focus on bringing people in, not making them want to return. theonlinerule.com/making-the-m...
theonlinerule.com
Making the match day experience memorable
This week's newsletter looks at how clubs are keeping fans informed about what happens on match days, as well as how they focus on first time fans.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 30/11/2024
If we’re talking about audience size as a reason for adopting platforms, I’ve never understood why sports teams aren’t all over Reddit. It’s now more popular than Twitter in the UK. #SportsMarketing amp.theguardian.com/technology/2...
amp.theguardian.com
Reddit overtakes X in popularity of social media platforms in UK | Reddit | The Guardian
Discussion platform takes fifth place in rankings and is the fastest growing large social media platform in the UK
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 29/11/2024
Must be Black Friday!
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 28/11/2024
Continuing to update my list of official English team accounts. I’ve tried to verify these by either speaking to staff, through their domain, or from their posts on other sites. Let me know if I’ve missed any. Will do lists for Scotland and lower English leagues next. bsky.app/profile/did:...
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 27/11/2024
Missed Everton joining, but look at this! If you want a case study in how to set up your Bluesky presence this ticks all the boxes. They have a verified domain and they’ve extended this to subdomains for other languages and teams. And grouped them all together in a starter pack. 10/10, no notes.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 27/11/2024
Everton have introduced an interactive tool so fans can see what the view is like from different seats in their new stadium. It’s really useful, but also something all clubs should have anyway. via @paddyboyland.bsky.social #SportsMarketing evertonstadium.io-media.com/web/index.html
evertonstadium.io-media.com
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 23/11/2024
Another team that’s seemingly chosen matchday to become active. Not 100% if this one is official or not (something something verification) but it certainly looks legit enough.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 23/11/2024
Good to see Brighton being pro-active with their replies (they’ve always been one of the better clubs for this). They’ve got this profile linked from Instagram to prove it’s authentic. And the official Bluesky handle will be coming soon.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 23/11/2024
Brighton are one of the newest teams to launch their Bluesky account, and have decided to use a match day to do so.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 23/11/2024
Chelsea have been fairly active on here for a while, but they’re not covering the game itself. Not even any squad news or a half-time update. This is the only mention of the match today.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 23/11/2024
Leeds are now on Bluesky. And we know it’s them because they’ve verified their domain name and made it their handle - exactly what all clubs should be doing. #SportsMarketing
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 21/11/2024
Note to football clubs on all platforms: You can update your bio regularly. It’s not a bad thing. Like what @aberdeenfc.bsky.social have done here to promote their next fixture. #SportsMarketing
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Reposted by Scott @ The Online Rule
Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 20/11/2024
Here’s a really great example of some personal branding, and using club comms to tell individual stories. Firstly, Southampton Women identified fans who’ve followed the club the longest and paid them a visit with a gift. That’s nice enough on its own, but there’s a bit more. #SportsMarketing
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 21/11/2024
Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot has joined LinkedIn. It’s quite a savvy move for footballers thinking about a career after their playing days are over. Especially if that’s going to involve some form of business involvement. #SportsMarketing uk.linkedin.com/in/diogo-dal...
uk.linkedin.com
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 21/11/2024
Managing multiple accounts? Like a personal account and a team one? 👀 You can add new profiles under settings. And then quickly change between them by long-pressing your avatar in the bottom right. That gives you this pop-up. (Make sure you’ve got the latest version of the app) #SportsMarketing
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 20/11/2024
Here’s a really great example of some personal branding, and using club comms to tell individual stories. Firstly, Southampton Women identified fans who’ve followed the club the longest and paid them a visit with a gift. That’s nice enough on its own, but there’s a bit more. #SportsMarketing
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 20/11/2024
It seems incredibly inconvenient that @footballcollective.bsky.social visits Newcastle for the 2 days I’m out of the city. Some great digital topics up for discussion. Looking forward to following along on here where possible.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 20/11/2024
Newcastle United are now active on Bluesky.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 20/11/2024
This piece on F1, from @michaelbochel.bsky.social’s brilliant Marketing Assist newsletter, is a great insight into the rise of ‘admin culture’ in the sport. Some thoughts in the 🧵 that follows. #SportsMarketing www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-...
motorsport.com
The Secret Society of F1’s Social Media Admins
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 20/11/2024
@aberdeenfc.bsky.social are a fantastic example of how investing in an experience - and families - can pay dividends with attendances. From debating whether to open a stand on match days to seeing it packed out in under three years. #SportsMarketing www.linkedin.com/posts/gormal...
linkedin.com
Scott Gormal on LinkedIn: Bringing “Family Tradition” back to Pittodrie
“Aberdeen have what money can't buy – a soul; a team spirit built in a family tradition.” Over the past couple of seasons a lot of work has been done to bring…
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 19/11/2024
Looking to move over and want a replacement for TweetDesk? @deck.blue has you covered. #SportsMarketing
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 19/11/2024
A good starter pack if you’re interested in football research. Missing one good account though 👀
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 19/11/2024
One of the most popular things I’ve written about #SportsMarketing is this look at email marketing among English football teams. I signed up to as many of the top 92 clubs’ mailing lists as I could and looked at what they sent out. It’s an underutilised channel. theonlinerule.com/efl-premier-...
theonlinerule.com
Why aren't more teams making the most of email marketing?
I visited the websites of the top 92 English clubs and tried to sign up to their mailing lists so that you don't have to.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 18/11/2024
Realised too late that I probably should have put a 🧵 icon in this post, given it’s not immediately obvious it’s a thread. One to keep in mind here!
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 18/11/2024
Another German team leaving X and moving over here. This time it’s @werderbremen.bsky.social, saying that they’re “taking a clear stance against hatred, hate speech, discrimination and exclusion”. #SportsMarketing www.werder.de/en/latest/ne...
werder.de
Werder Bremen to leave X | SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen's executive board have decided that the club will leave the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter). The announcement was made by Klaus Fi...
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Reposted by Scott @ The Online Rule
Bluesky @bsky.app · 15/11/2024
💡 Tip: You can set your website as your username on Bluesky! This is one form of self-verification, and we especially encourage official organizations and brands to do this! Examples include @npr.org @react.dev @duolingobrasil.com.br. Here's our guide for how to do this:
bsky.social
How to set your domain as your handle - Bluesky
Using a domain as your handle helps with account identity, verification, and portability. Here's how to set your domain as your handle.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 15/11/2024
Where’s the #SportsMarketing and #Digisport people then? Always after the community.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 15/11/2024
Interesting to see cricket clubs moving over too.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 15/11/2024
Here’s a starter pack of official U.K. team accounts. I’ve been able to verify some from speaking to staff, others because they’ve posted to other platforms signposting here. However they might not all be official (I’ll update as I learn more). go.bsky.app/2zhDQBz
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 15/11/2024
Here’s a starter pack of North American teams that have joined BlueSky in case you’re looking to see how teams are using it. go.bsky.app/HgJuQra
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 15/11/2024
Juventus are fairly active on here now too.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 15/11/2024
A few native uses for Bluesky that I can see being useful for sports teams.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 14/11/2024
Northampton are here now too.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 14/11/2024
If your account says your handle is invalid, here’s how to sort it.
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Scott @ The Online Rule @theonlinerule.com · 14/11/2024
Lincoln are over here now too. Showing ‘handle.invalid’ for me at the moment, but it’s them!
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