Becoming a sportswriter is a great way to combine your love of sports and writing.
There are many different ways to become a sportswriter, but there are also some things you will need to do before getting started.
First, you will need to find a job as a reporter or editor at a newspaper or magazine. This can be done by simply sending out resumes and cover letters to different companies and waiting for them to call you back.
The second thing you should do is get an education in journalism or communications so that you have the required skills needed to write stories about sports. This could mean going back to school or taking classes online. It’s also important that you learn how to write well so that your articles are interesting and easy for readers to understand. The best place for this type of training is at an accredited university where they offer both undergraduate and graduate programs related specifically towards writing skills in journalism/communications (such as public relations).
Once you’ve graduated from college with your degree(s), it’s time grab those resumes again because now it’s time find jobs! If possible make sure these jobs allow enough time off so that when big events happen (such as playoffs) there isn’t much work being done on those days due.
How To Become A Sportswriter
- WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. (And I’m not talking about Twitter.)
The first thing I tell an aspiring writer is to find a platform or create a personal blog to create content about whatever he or she is passionate about. From there, crank out quality articles/columns with regularity. You should write daily or at least five pieces per week. Think how many 3-pointers Stephen Curry takes in a given day; you need to bring this mentality to writing. Even if you think you want to go into radio/podcasts or video, you will need to know how to write. People in that industry tell me all the time how much they wish they had spent time honing their writing skills earlier on. - TAKE WHATEVER REPORTING GIG YOU CAN LAND.
Stop trying to jump directly into professional sports. You’re not going to become a national sportswriter or TV/radio analyst overnight. It doesn’t work that way; just ask any big-time sports media personality where they started. The best thing you can do is learn to report about and interview athletes and coaches at the prep and college level — critical skills that are necessary if and when you start dealing with professional athletes. It also teaches you to write on deadline, be accurate and tell a story. Look for gigs at your campus newspaper or a small community newspaper. Only then will you have a portfolio of work to launch toward bigger and bigger platforms or outlets. - FIND YOURSELF A GREAT EDITOR.
Like it or not, you are going to need someone to tell you that your story sucks. Because it probably does. At least at first, anyway. One of my journalism professors used to repeat each class: “Everyone needs an editor.” And he was right. Editors make you better — even if they cut down your words and make you want to scream at them for removing what you thought was your best line. Almost always, your story ends up better, and over time, you become a better writer. You will come to need your editor; if they’re good, they will become a mentor for you. And you won’t be alone — every great writer can point to the editor who helped get them where they needed to be. - READ REALLY GOOD WRITERS.
Don’t model your writing off someone who isn’t a good writer. That would be like learning to play golf by watching Charles Barkley swing the sticks on YouTube. (Hilarious, but no.) Instead, find a brilliant, award-winning journalist and continue to read, read, read his or her stuff. Reading greatness will force you to truly evaluate your own writing. - WRITE SHORTER.
No one is reading more than 1,000 words on the Orlando Magic’s half-court issues. (OK, maybe like .0004 percent of Magic fans are, but still.) Learn to make a point, provide some analytical or statistical evidence, and get out. That’s what people want these days — and it’s probably what they’ve always wanted. My favorite line: “It’s harder to write short than long.” - TELL A STORY.
The best writers don’t just shove facts or opinion down their readers’ throats. They find a way to create a narrative and thread facts throughout to enhance their point. As you find great writers to read, you’ll quickly realize how well they create, develop and deliver a flowing narrative. - NETWORK AND MARKET YOURSELF.
No media outlet decision-maker is simply browsing random sites in order to pick off talent. You need to showcase your stuff as often as you can — and via methods that are likely to be seen. Create a Twitter account and post your articles there. Put your best stuff on Facebook. Create a personal website that acts as a professional portfolio, showcasing your best work. Sliding your work under the virtual doorways of editors and writers will put you in a position to land a gig, or, at the very least, receive invaluable feedback from those in the know.
