As a sports writer you need to inform people regarding events occurring in the sports world. You can even work as a freelance sports writer or particularly for a newspaper or magazine. Simultaneously you can work for various newspapers at a time and can also write articles for website, blogs, shows conducted by television, etc. Your writing should be such that it should capture the attention of readers and this can be done by playing a game of words. Add some excitement in your article by placing punch lines, but see to it that your article does not sound like it is false. Writing an informative as well as exciting article can help you to get an excellent sports writer job.
What does a sports writer actually do? Basically sports writers need to perform their duty for long hours and also need to complete work before their deadlines. Here are some lists of activities performed by a sports writer:
- As a sports writer you need to attend various sports related events or games. Moreover your writing is based on such events.
- Being familiar with word processing programs, the computer can help you to effectively complete your work and make submissions on time.
- It is essential to maintain originality and this comes when you write from the reader's point of view. Also see to it that you display accurate results of the event in your writing.
- A sports writer job also involves good research work. The more you get socially involved with different people, the more you can get exposure. Basically, building contacts can help you to provide the latest information to readers.
- You also need to attend meetings with the publisher, a group of writers, editors, etc., in order to get new updates of work and understand new assignments.
- A good amount of travelling is also involved in this profession and it is the sports writer who needs to spend the maximum amount of time outside.
- Always maintain your high writing standards. Don't compromise on quality as well as quantity. Your article must possess certain characters or words as mentioned in the assignment.
- Apart from covering news related to games, sports writers also needs to mention if there are any changes in coaching activity, players, trend of playing, etc.
- Good creativity in writing
- Understanding the matter to its fullest
- Maintaining contacts with athletes
- Computer knowledge
- To have a bright sports writer career you need powerful English.
- Good networking skills can work in your favor.
- Effective communication skills
Having a degree of sports journalism can help you to get a good job. Basically there are various programs involved in such journalism degree which includes training in writing as well as journalism. There are various schools offering courses like Bachelor of Arts in sports journalism, Bachelor of Science in sports media, Bachelor of Science in sports communication, Master of Science in sports journalism, etc. To become a sports writer it is essential to have any of the above mentioned degrees.
Apart from sports writing such courses also include sports psychology, sports marketing, sports PR, or promotion, etc. Along with educational qualification, having good experience can also work in your favor. To gain some experience initially you can start doing writing work from home. Many companies also consider experience as a substitute over qualification.
The average salary earned by a sports writer is about $49,000. As a sports writer if you want to reach at higher level then you need to follow the writing skills of some well known writers. At the initial stages you can earn up to $25,000. There are also chances for you to make extra income by working for radio, internet outlets, television, and magazines or books.
Your pay also gets decided on the basis of popularity of newspaper or magazine. If you want to get a good sports writer job then start your research work today.
