A project that started at 4pm on Friday, was trending in Melbourne by 5.30, and trending in Australia by 7pm. With the help of some familiar faces, the North supporters started tweeting the hash tag like crazy, until it made itself known.
This idea started a couple of weeks ago, when I pressed the "#" button, to see what my friends were tweeting about. One of the options, #rooeydomination , really caught my eye. I thought 'how cool would it be if North fans could get "#ROOdomination" trending sometime, or even prior to a match.
So it began a few days before the Lions v NM, although there wasn't that much excitement, or response. I managed to get a few of my followers using the hash tag, but it didn't really get very far..
So what to do? Here's a really great way to make a statement to the AFL world, to prove that North supporters are the loudest, and proudest, and can out do ANY powerhouse supporter base in the comp. And then it hit me.. North vs Carlton, our first and only Friday night match for 2011 would be the best way to create hype and excitement throughout the entire league, not just for North fans.
But now how on earth do we get thing thing trending? Out of my 180 followers, it's not going to be enough. But I started - I tweeted quite a few things about the #roodomination, but then I tweeted every North personality on twitter that I could think of, along with some newspapers, radio stations, and then the rest of the North Melbourne public, to try and get them all on board by RTing and using the hash tag. The call for help also went out to those supporting North in the match, and those who simply couldn't stand Carlton.
Within 15 minutes of sending out all of these desperate tweets, there was a response from a well know and loved big man at North.
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| the tweet reads, "@HMcintosh1 could you please RT us, to get " #roodomination " trending for tonight's huge match, #aflnorthblues." |
With Hamish RT-ing the message I sent him, it allowed his 2,000 followers to get behind the roodomination hash tag, as well as the amazing NM Opinion followers, who helped generate the hype.
With the public beginning to become aware of the #roodomnation, they too, started using the hash tag, and before we knew it, the roodomination was quickly starting to increase in popularity.
It wasn't long until another familiar face, this time Australian cricketer and North supporter Peter Siddle joined in with the roodomination, by not only RT-ing to raise awareness, but by using the hash tag in numerous tweets, including a message to the club.
Once the message was sent to North and Boomer by the Australian Bower, the club themselves tweeted about the roodomination, encouraging the spread and growth to all their supporters.
In a matter of no time, a tweet popped up on my home screen that had let me know we had finally reached our goal, and that all our hard work had finally paid off.
I never actually thought it was possible, and that we were actually going to get trending around the state, but once it happened, it opened my eyes that trending around Australia was suddenly a very realistic thing to achieve. I sent out the call to everyone who had helped the #roodomination to trend in Melbourne, and it only sent everyone into overdrive. Hash tagging 'roodomination' at every chance possible, the roodomination had exploded.
About half an hour following the news we were trending in Melbourne, I received a tweet from causechelscan (who might I add, always happens to be the person who brings me good news!), informing me that #roodomination was trending in Australia, followed by #aflnorthblues.
You know I never really believed something like this would, or could ever happen, but the fact that it did made me restore my faith in our supporters even more.
Following the match, I met North's totally incredible web manager, Rob Burton (you know, he's the bloke behind the twitter, facebook and website. AND DOES AN AMAZING JOB! And I'm not just saying that because he reads the blog sometimes.. i have legit love for that bloke). He knew who I was when I introduced myself, and we had a really great chat. He told me he was aware of what went on prior to match, and he was so excited and so proud that, as a club and as supporters, we could do something so amazing like this. He only encouraged more support in the future, and loved what we did.
And then the president. You know, I wasn't sure how he'd react to this blog, or the roodomination project itself, but he was over the moon and enthusiastic about all of it. He though it was so fantastic that I was so passionate about the club, and so proud of everything I was doing for North. Then, when I told him what had occurred earlier that night, with the #roodomination , he just couldn't stop smiling - he was stoked that us, as a football club could achieve such a thing.
So really, all these thanks really need to go out to all of you. The readers and supporters of both the football club, and the North Melbourne Opinion. Without all your continuous support and kind words, so way would I be as motivated as I am to write about football and share all my ideas. I really can't thank you all enough - I feel like I am always thanking you... Maybe you're all sick of it!
On that note, I would also like to proudly announce the blog has officially ticked over 2,000 views! Things have slowed down a little, since school has started up again, so I apologize that the posts aren't as frequent, but I do my best!
Do you have anything you'd like to say? email me at nmopinion@hotmail.com , come join the twitter clan @NMOpinion , or even comment below! The facebook page is nearly ready to go, so I hope to see you all joining that too!
Happy Monday :)
Go Roos!
- Marnie.
