HotTicketSports Blogs

Thank-you for your interest in writing for HotTicketSports. Please review the following guidelines and rules for blogging.

Please submit your first blog via email to this will allow us to review your posting and verify suitability. Once your posting has been successfully reviewed, we will create an account to allow you to post future blogs directly to the website.

Guidelines for Blog writing

First, choose an interesting subject, preferably one that has not yet been the subject of mainstream media attention. Blogging is different from other styles of writing because you want to encourage readers to post comments. The idea is the cumulative value of your blog plus readers comments makes a better article than you might produce on your own. Therefore, try to write open-ended postings that pique the reader's interests early and solicit their response.

Start with a good title and then put your key point within the first two sentences of your blog. The first 40 characters or so of your blog posting appear on the summary page along with the title. Try to generate curiosity that will get your blog read and commented on by readers.

It is usually best to keep your blog short, 250 to 500 words is adequate, and if you decide to update the blog with additional information later, you can do so either in the comments below the blog, or by adding a date stamp at the end of your blog with the new paragraph.

Always, check your facts, spelling and grammar and be sure that what you write is accurate. Craft the blog in a word processor and then post it online. It is helpful to link to other online sources, or provide quotes that will make the blog feel less like your opinion and more objective. If you have photographs, by all means post them with your article.

After you have posted a blog, check back within a few days to see the comments that were added. Occasionally, you may need to "prime the pump" by emailing someone that you know cares about the topic you wrote on and invite them to add a comment to your blog. People are hesitant to be the first to post a comment, but once you have a lively discussion going, are more likely to jump into the conversation.

If a comment is rude, or inappropriate, you can either edit the comment or delete it entirely. Rude comments may deter others from adding their thoughts for fear they will be criticized. It is up to you to create a safe and cordial atmosphere for the exchange of ideas. Feel free to correct any posting that is too edgy. For example: "Mark, while I understand you are passionate about this topic, your posting did not meet the criteria of this site and was edited. In the future, please keep your responses courteous and respectful to others."

Blog Rules (that you and the readers posting comments abide by):

Any blogs or comments submitted to HotTicketSports is your own original creation, and does not infringe the rights (including copyright) of any other person. You grant to HotTicketSports rights to use the thoughts or photographs submitted. You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated or other material that may violate applicable laws or standards of good conduct. You agree that the webmaster, administrator and moderators of HotTicketSports have the right to remove or edit your content at any time should they see fit.

NCAA Rules for Recruiting

Because of NCAA rules on recruiting, it is a must that all blog writers understand and adhere to these rules. Any blogger who is also associated with the college Sports Information Office or Athletic department is not allowed to make any references regarding new college recruits. Discussions regarding new recruits is only permitted if there is no association with the SID office or the AD.