Non-Conformity in a Sports Blog?

Absolutely!

I was just reading a non-sports related blog, The Art of Non-Conformity, which was recommended by a follower on Twitter. More specifically, I was reading how the writer/editor of the blog, Chris Guillebeau, defines non-conformity; “a lack of orthodoxy in thoughts or beliefs” or “the refusal to accept established customs, attitudes, or ideas.”

Certainly, a reckless application of non-conformity often results in black lipstick and a chain running from nose to earlobe, not that there's anything wrong with that. Let's just say it can lead to misunderstanding. Misunderstanding, when you're trying to establish a successful blog, or any business, can lead to very few readers (customers).

Wise use of non-conformity can lead to your blog emerging from the pack and forging ahead of everyone else.

It's usually the first mover in any field that enjoys the most prosperity and name recognition. Who was the second company in YouTube's corner of the Net? Some technology fans may know, but most don't recall and never knew. How about MySpace's competitors? You could say that Facebook and Twitter do the same things as MySpace, but they all fill social networking needs differently.

Facebook and Twitter didn't simply mimic a predecessor, they forged their own identities. As a sports blog editor, you can ensure the look, content, multimedia, posts, guests, name, use of available marketing tools, everything is uniquely yours and recognizable as yours. Your vision and passion for your topic can show through in every part of your blog. That vision and passion is what will set you apart, if used wisely.

Mimicry of a popular site, just because it's popular, can mean certain death for your blog.

Top-10 Independent Sports Blogs of 2008 Contest

Now through December 31, 2008, Sports Writer HQ will be taking nominations for the Top-10 Independent Sports Blogs of 2008.

Lest ye be confused, the contest has nothing to do with the amount of traffic a blog receives each day, week, month, millennium, or age (as in Stone Age or Iron Age). The closest thing to traffic that will be looked at is blog post comments.

The contest is limited to independent blogs, thus the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in the photo. No blogs that are a part of news organizations (CNN, ESPN, Fox, New York Times, etc.) will be considered, even if the blog is written and managed by one person. Also, no blogs supported by other corporate sites.

The only blogs that will be evaluated are those that stand alone among the masses, independent, personal, one-man or one-woman shows, or a group of affiliated bloggers/writers, etc.

Qualities that will be evaluated are content, aesthetics, ease of navigation, multimedia usage, participation from readers, interaction with readers by the publisher(s), evergreen posts (those that have a chance of remaining relevant for years to come), and other intangible things that simply make a great blog.

The winner and each of the top-10 will receive a nice little logo to place on their site. They'll also be mentioned, along with a description/story of their site in the winner announcement post. Winners will be announced January 5, 2009. Sorry, but unless some corporate benefactor steps forward, there will be no further "prize package".

If you would like to nominate a favorite sports-related blog (yes, you may nominate your own), send an email to 1minfreelancer@gmail.com.

No blog with which I am affiliated or actively promote on this site will be eligible to participate in the contest. Winner selection will be selected at the sole discretion of Sports Writer HQ team.

This will be great! I look forward to seeing the nominations.