Saturday, February 8, 2014

3 Ways to Access the Sports Media World



(My own photo from the press level at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 2-8-14.)

Many talented people strive to work in the world of sports. But, how does someone actually make that dream come true?

For starters, consider adapting your goals.

My own background includes a Communications degree, front office experience at the start of my professional career in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system, and work as a 'stringer' back in the old 'newspaper is king' days. But, everyone doesn't have to have to have that specific experience in order to gain access to the world of professional sports.  

1. Make friends

Always treat everyone you meet with respect. That sounds simple, but can be hard to implement at every moment. However, we never know how far good impressions can go. 

I've had many experiences where someone I've met has connected me to another person who helped to make a sports' connection. 

2. Work smart and work hard

If you think your intelligence level will instantly lead to success, think again. That 'strategy' relies on luck. 

Work, work, work, work, work, work and keep on working. Yes, you should make certain choices in the efforts that you pursue. But, keep at it and progress will result in unexpected ways. 

3. Be resilient

I voluntarily left the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons organization because some people who were important in my personal life needed my specific help. I chose to move in order to help them, rather than allow those great people go it alone. I have never regretted that choice, as it was the right thing to do on every level.

After making that choice I didn't drop my dream of working in professional sports. But, I did adapt it as the years passed. 

Over time I wrote for a newspaper for five years and then, many years after that, adapted my own print skills to the online world. Doing so allowed me to rebuild sports connections simply by persevering. 

I literally attempted to make connections with more than one thousand people during the past five years. That approximate number isn't exaggerated, but represents efforts across many life 'platforms'. Doing so eventually led to the creation of business contacts with the Philadelphia Flyers. And with that, access was gained that allows me to cover the game. 

Similar efforts have allowed me to interview current and former athletes in many other sports and also people who work outside of the sports' world. 

Make the concept of time your favorite go-to destination and the length of your efforts won't matter. 

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Our book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 best-seller on Amazon.com as of 6 p.m. EST on January 29, 2014. 

The ongoing public response to this real-life story continues to be deeply humbling for everyone who was involved in creating this illustrated children's book.

Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s as of two weeks ago.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. 

I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

Top 10

Today, our book was the #8 best-selling children's book on the number 1 book site in the world. 

Thank you to everyone who is embracing this story, which supports a great cause.

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Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

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Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

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Feel free to click on any of my interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities...
Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls
Here's a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...
Fox Television's Erin Como Reveals Her Timeless Model for Success: Interview
Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

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Visit my Examiner Contributor Page, 
or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

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