A Key to Getting BIG Sports Interviews

From the outset, I'd like to say my idea of a big interview is somewhat smaller than what Rich Eisen would call a big interview. But, by using ProfNet, which I acess via PRNewswire.com, I have been able to get a number of quality interviews.


As a media user of ProfNet, you simply place a query requesting information on whatever your topic may be, and, in my experience, you will soon be inundated with top-quality lead on interviews. As I'm a freelance golf fitness writer (as well as many other facets of the golf world), I have been able to gain interviews from professional golfers, leading physicians, instructors, and fitness experts.

There's no charge for media access to ProfNet. If you're serious about writing, it's an indespensible tool.

Eschew Obfuscation in Sports Writing

In virtually all writing for public consumption, for that matter.

There are only a few things worse than trying to read the sports page or a sports-related magazine and discovering the sports writer thinks he's below quota on ten-dollar words. I want the sports. I may even want your opinion. I do not want to know the extent of your vocabulary. I think most readers are like me.

There are scholarly journals where "big words" are completely at home, but not in a column about how fans shouldn't boo Joe College after he's thrown his third interception in one game. I believe it's a fatal mistake for a writer, particularly a freelancer who doesn't have the security of a full-time position with the publication.

Just as you would take care to be grammatically correct, also know your audience and what they want or don't want.

Just one man's opinion.

The Most Common Writing Mistake

According to freelance writer extraordinaire, Bob Bly, the most common writing mistake you can make is not possessing a wide knowledge and deep understanding of your subject. He says, "...if you lack mastery of your topic, your writing willl be vague, unfocused and have little value, credibility, and authority."

To combat this, Bly says, among other things, you should simply educate yourself. If you're writing about something, anything, it generally means you have an interest in the subject, particularly if you are a freelancer. That being the case, it shouldn't be too difficult to deepen your knowledge.

After gaining the requisite knowledge of your subject, according to Bly, organize your content for maximum impact, make your subject clear to the reader, and polish your prose.