Posted 9/22/08

The best sports blogs are always easy to pick out from the crowd, and for the most part, deservedly so.  What is it that makes them stand out?  What makes you return and continue to read it?  What makes a sports blog great? 

The Author

For a blog to succeed, its author does not have to be a great writer, but it definitely helps if they have a giant personality.  In most cases, we don’t continue to read a blog just because it has solid content.  We tend to return to blogs because their author has said something that either offended us, gave us insight, or entertained the hell out of us.  Blogs should be based on opinion or at the very least, be somewhat influenced by the author’s views.  If your sports blog became just another recap site, would your readership become bored over time?  Would you growth come to a halt?

The Content

It has been well documented that your blog cannot succeed unless it has pretty solid content.  And I’m sure you are all sick of hearing “content is king” over and over again by every other damn blog out there.  So I’ll stray from that concept because we know that content alone will never get you anywhere.  Instead let’s focus on the presentation of your content.  Have you ever thought that maybe your approach isn’t working within your niche?  Maybe it’s time to re-invent the way your voice comes across?  Don’t ever settle; you should always be looking at new angles and strategies to spice up the content of your sports blog.

The Marketing

In order for your blog to be great, you better be sure that people know it exists.  The greatest blogs out there are likely founded by some of the greatest marketers out there.  Why is it that you see the same big time blogs on the front page of Digg, BallHype and Yardbarker?  Not only do these bloggers have great personalities and write compelling content, but they have created networks with other bloggers to help their content find maximum reach. 

The Network

A great blog would not be able to grow without a solid network of readers to spread its word.  It knows just the right questions to ask its readers to gain worthwhile responses and stir up conversation.  Isn’t a great network like an automated promotional machine?  I would guess that about 50% of a great blog’s links come from the same network of blogs, over and over again. 


Is your blog on its way to the level of “great”?  If not, are you doing everything in your power to make sure it gets there?  Becoming “great” is no walk in the park, and in order to get there, be prepared to work, work and work.  The competition in the world of sports blogging is stronger than ever, but the opportunity is also greater than ever.

Need feedback on your blog?  If you’d like us to take a look at your blog and provide you with some tips to get the ball really rolling, feel free to shout us up through our Contact Page.

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