How can sports heritage institutions leverage digital platforms to engage and educate diverse audiences?

1 Use social media creatively

Social media is a powerful tool to reach and interact with your target audience, but you need to use it creatively and strategically. You can use social media to share snippets of your collection, such as photos, videos, or trivia, and to invite feedback, questions, or stories from your followers. You can also use social media to promote your events, exhibits, or educational programs, and to create online campaigns or challenges that encourage participation and engagement. For example, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum launched the #HOFerAtHome campaign, inviting fans to share their favorite baseball memories from home during the pandemic.

2 Develop online exhibits and tours

Online exhibits and tours can enhance your physical offerings and extend your reach to global audiences. You can use digital platforms to showcase your collection, themes, and narratives in interactive and immersive ways, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, or gamification. You can also use online exhibits and tours to provide more information, context, and perspectives on your topics, and to link to other relevant resources or partners. For example, the International Tennis Hall of Fame developed a digital exhibit on the history of tennis fashion, featuring 3D models, videos, and interviews.

3 Offer online learning opportunities

Online learning opportunities can help you educate and inspire your audience, especially students, teachers, and lifelong learners. You can use digital platforms to offer online courses, webinars, podcasts, or workshops on various aspects of sports heritage, such as history, culture, science, or ethics. You can also use online learning opportunities to collaborate with other institutions, experts, or educators, and to provide access to primary sources, archives, or databases. For example, the FIFA World Football Museum offers online courses on the history and culture of football, featuring lectures, quizzes, and assignments.

4 Create online communities and networks

Online communities and networks can help you connect and communicate with your audience, especially fans, enthusiasts, and researchers. You can use digital platforms to create online forums, groups, or clubs, where you can invite your audience to share their opinions, experiences, or interests related to sports heritage. You can also use online communities and networks to facilitate dialogue, debate, or collaboration among your audience, and to provide support, feedback, or recognition. For example, the Australian Sports Museum created an online community for sports heritage professionals, where they can exchange ideas, best practices, and opportunities.

5 Solicit online contributions and feedback

Online contributions and feedback can help you enrich and improve your collection, content, and services. You can use digital platforms to solicit online donations, memberships, or sponsorships from your audience, and to provide them with benefits, rewards, or recognition. You can also use digital platforms to solicit online submissions, suggestions, or reviews from your audience, and to incorporate them into your collection, exhibits, or programs. For example, the Hockey Hall of Fame solicited online submissions for its Fan Memories Project, where fans can share their personal stories and photos related to hockey.

6 Monitor and evaluate online impact

Online impact is the measure of how well you achieve your goals and objectives through digital platforms. You can use digital platforms to monitor and evaluate your online impact, such as by using analytics, surveys, or testimonials. You can also use digital platforms to report and communicate your online impact to your stakeholders, partners, or funders, and to demonstrate your value, relevance, and sustainability. For example, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture used Google Analytics to track and analyze its online visitors' behavior, preferences, and satisfaction.