NEWSLETTER
It has always been the mission of this site to cover (obsessively) all things Cubs, and, to a great extent, that has been achieved. But, as I plan ahead for the 2012 season, there is one area where the coverage could be improved: the minor leagues. Yes, prospects are discussed at length here, and yes, minor league results come up from time to time in the Bullets. What I’d like to see emerge, however, is daily coverage of the Cubs’ minor league system and prospects, led by someone we can affectionately consider our local Cubs prospect guru.
In other words, I’m looking to hire BN’s first staff writer. Details on the position, and how to apply, below.
Position:
Bleacher Nation Minor League Writer. This is an unpaid, part-time position, requiring approximately three to four hours per week during the 2012 minor league season (approximately April 1, 2012 through mid-September, 2012, depending on post-season eligibility).
Requirements:
A daily (five days a week, I won’t force you to cover the weekend) post summarizing the previous day’s results in the Cubs’ minor league system, with an emphasis on highlighting the progress of Cubs prospects. This is not a multi-thousand word post, mind you. Instead, I envision a concise description of the outcome of each game, with a sentence or two on the notable performance of Cubs prospects from that game, and providing the reader access to the relevant box scores. From there, you may make the post your own. I wouldn’t envision each post taking you more than 20 to 40 minutes each day, at the high end.
Opportunities:
Beyond the required daily coverage of the minor leagues, as Bleacher Nation’s resident minor league writer, you will have the opportunity to cover Cubs prospects in long-form posts, to cover the Draft, to cover newly emerged or acquired prospects, etc., at your discretion. In other words, you will not be required to do these kinds of writings, but, should you wish to take advantage of the platform and readership here, you will have that opportunity.
Qualifications:
Outside of the ability to write intelligently about the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system and prospects, there are no express qualifications. But the following will help your chances: (1) Prior experience writing sports content online, preferably about the Cubs, and even more preferably about the Cubs’ minor league system; (2) Ability to write clearly, interestingly, and with a bare minimum of grammatical and spelling mistakes; and (3) Willingness to engage readers about the subject matter of your work both here in the comments and on Twitter and Facebook.
To be clear, I have no problem if you write for another site (including your own). This is a part-time position and should not necessarily preclude you from continuing to write elsewhere.
Compensation:
This is an unpaid, part-time position for the 2012 season. At the conclusion of the 2012 season, we will discuss appropriate compensation going forward, should each of us agree that the relationship has been both successful and productive. In the interim, what I can offer in the way of compensation is the opportunity to write regularly for a readership in the tens of thousands daily, to pad your resume/portfolio (you get the title, an email address, etc.), and to hone your craft by forcing yourself to write regularly.
I’m not interested in bragging, but, to entice the best candidates to apply, let me say it plainly: Bleacher Nation is a well-known, widely-read publication in the online Cubs world, and the exposure and future opportunities – both here at BN and elsewhere – that come from this position could be considerable.
To Apply:
At a minimum, send a statement of interest to brett AT www.bleachernation.com, with the subject line: “Minor League Writer Application.” Please also include a sample of writing clips (links to online work is sufficient), and a brief write-up of your thoughts on the state of the Cubs’ farm system. Feel free to include a resume or any other relevant materials, if you would believe it would help me to make an informed decision.
After reviewing applications, I will contact certain candidates for follow-up.
Application Deadline:
Friday, February 3.
