Lisa Johnson Mandell

Hi, my name is Tyler Mirkovich, and I specialize in sports broadcasting, having recently graduated from AIFL in broadcasting. I have been looking for a job since September of last year. I had a temporary part time job, but I have nothing at the moment. I am willing to look at any opportunity. I have been trying to put my information out on the web so I can possibly be noticed. PLEASE HELP. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?
Please see my blog: www.mirkncaab.blogspot.com
Thanks for your help!
Regards,
Tyler Mirkovich

Greetings Tyler
First of all, let’s talk about what you’re doing right: You’ve put up a colorful blog and you’re adding to it frequently. That’s a great start! A blog is a fantastic way to show potential employers what you can do and can provide invaluable self promotion. Taking a look at your blog, however, it’s apparent that you’re not using it to it’s full advantage. There’s very little about you on it. I can’t find your full name nor your picture on the home page. I had to scroll way down to find a link to your bio, which has a great photo and some contact links, but very little about you– who you are, what you’re trying to accomplish, your qualifications, etc. You should be branding yourself all over that blog! Note the gratuitous ‘Lisa’ references and images all over this blog.

You’ll also want to work on the content a bit. Make the point of your blog clear, and let readers know that you provide them with something unique and valuable that they’ll never find anywhere else. The theme of your blog is a little vague. Try to figure out what readers want and give it to them, rather than writing just what you want to put out there. Also, watch your punctuation and be consistent with it throughout. If a prominent sports editor is searching the web for someone to write for his site, you want him to see that you can produce flawless content. Have someone proof your work before you post it, or let it sit for a few minutes, then come back and proof it again.

Now that you’ve got your content sharpened a bit, it’s time to bring on the traffic! Tweeting helps. Try Tweeting a tease, like “Who’s most dangerous in Sweet 16?” That will get them in. Also, so that you’re known in the sports community, start commenting on other prominent sports blogs. Become a known as someone who makes clever comments, and include a link to your own blog. Establish your unique identity and clever perspective all over the internet.

I’ll close with a very old fashioned suggestion for getting your name and talents out there. Believe it or not, I was a sports writer in college, was stringing for a wire service by the time I was a junior, and was offered a full time job with them when I graduated. How did I start? I volunteered to cover the less glamorous sports (women’s field hockey and men’s gymnastics) for the school paper. We had a Top Ten football team at the time, and after proving myself, I gradually worked my way up to cover that. That’s when the wire service noticed me. I would suggest offering to cover minor sports for your local newspaper, or for the website of your favorite local TV station, radio station or cable sports station. Get your foot in the door and make yourself invaluable.
Good Luck!
Lisa