Are you the Next TLN Blogger?

Ever seen those shows like American Idol, Top Chef, or Next Top Model? We want to have a TheLeafsNation.com “Next TLN Blogger.”

The plan is simple: Anyone interested is welcome to apply to contribute to our site. We will sift through the applications and the best ones will compete against each other for a spot as one of the authors on this site.

The plan is to assign a series of posts for the finalists to write. You will have five chances to impress us. 

I haven’t decided the order yet but the plan is to have a mixture of both assigned and freestyle posts. The purpose of this is to challenge both your abilities to respond to current events and breaking stories as well as your ability to come up with your own topics. 

For each post, readers will get to vote on which candidate created the strongest piece on that topic. At the end of it all, the writers and the readers of this site will crown a new Voice of the Nation.

Most sports writers will tell you that if you’re getting into the business for the money then you’re going to be very disappointed. Those sports writers will then tell you “LOL at least I’m not a blogger!” After forcing that writer to step on a Lego I can happily tell you that besides becoming a regular contributor on the site, the winner will receive a $200 CDN cash prize. That’s better than nothing, right? You can almost buy Leafs tickets with that!

That depends. 

If you’re only “thinking about it” then no. If you really want this then yes! 

Do you want to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey in general? Do you want to publish your content on a platform that reaches millions of readers every month? Are you willing and able to create at very least two posts per week, including pre and/or post game articles? If you answered yes to all of those things then that’s a great start.

Don’t send us your resume. That demeans the both of us. Really? A resume for a blogging job? No. We won’t do that to you. Let’s have some fun with this. That’s what sports are, don’t you know! Wouldn’t hurt to add your Twitter handle, too.

Instead of a resume, just write a quick one-pager on why you’d be great, relevant hockey/writing/content-creating experience you have, and anything else you think is important or interesting. On top of that, try adding at least a couple of writing/content samples. Don’t aim for super formal stuff from when you covered a track meet for your high school paper. If you don’t have any samples or you’re not happy with the samples you already have – just write something new! 

We are looking for quality content in any form you know how to make it. Maybe the term “blogger” makes it seem like we’re only looking for writers. We’re not. If you write then that’s great. It’s equally great if you’re good with audio/video content like podcasts and YouTube videos, a talented illustrator (PengellyInk makes cartoons for us), good with graphs, good with Photoshop, good at breaking down plays with video or stills – anything. If it’s entertaining and if it makes people think then we want it!

There are no past job requirements. I mean, it’s helpful if you have a nice resume and educational background but it’s definitely not a requirement and it certainly doesn’t guarantee you’re a great content creator.

If you have any questions just let us know in the comment box below.

There it is, folks. Show me what you’ve got.

Steve