For us spectators, sports aren’t just about wins or losses. From the tailgates to the superstitious rituals (admit it, we all have them) and the sense of belonging with a whole fanbase, it’s an entire experience. Fantasy sports are evolving to offer fans more camaraderie than ever.
This week on Catalyst, Clinton is joined by VP of Innovation at PrizePicks, Brian Huss, to talk about how his team is creating excellent fantasy sports products that provide an engaging digital experience for users while also building rich communities. Check out the highlights below, then dive into the full episode to learn more about the intersection of fantasy sports, community, and technology.
Community engagement
PricePicks has a large Discord community where users discuss their picks and engage with each other, which creates a shared rooting interest and enhances the overall fan experience. In fact, the community-driven nature of PricePicks’ model plays a key role in their success.
Authenticity and user experience
To enhance the overall fan experience and make every touchpoint more exciting, you must create products that authentically align with the needs and preferences of your user base. Solicit and act on customer feedback often to ensure you’re hitting the mark.
Keep it simple
If it’s not easy to use, very few will even bother. Simplicity is key. Users should be able to jump right into the product with little ramp-up time. If it’s too complicated, you won’t reach your goal of product and fan interaction.
Partnerships and cross-sport appeal
Partnerships with various sports entities can give you a big boost, as popular players in one sport can attract fans from different sports. Recognizing and catering to the diverse interests within the fan base helps deepen loyalty and boost interaction.
Innovate strategically
The innovation process should involve understanding the target audience, solving specific problems, and aligning strategies with core principles. Continuous research, both quantitative and qualitative, is critical for informing product development.
Second screen experience
Today’s fans have their phones on them at all times, even when they’re actively watching the game on TV or at the stadium. With that connectivity in mind, having an interactive complementary second screen experience for live sports is highly valuable.
As always, don’t forget to subscribe to Catalyst wherever you get your podcasts. We drop a new episode every Tuesday, and each one is jam-packed with expert advice and actionable insights to create digital experiences that move millions.
