Calling All Writers: MMA4Real Looking To Hire
by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 4, 2010 2:04 PM EST
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PrintWhat's up my SBN brethren?
I don't wanna take all day to explain, but this site is looking to take 1-2 new writers/contributors...maybe more if the drive/talent is there.
I can't even explain how much the site has changed since I first started it in July 2008. Hell, I can't explain how I've changed since that time, I'm older and now will soon have three kids to support when at the time I had just become a new father. Keeping this site going is hard work, believe you me, and I honestly don't know how we do what we do with such a limited staff. However, we've gotten it to where it is today, but trust me when I tell you this place is about to explode. Sooo
If you've ever wanted to write about MMA and actually have people read it....it's time to answer the phone. This is what you need to do:
1. Register as a member of this site(if you haven't already). If you could register with your real name, that would be great but not mandatory.
2. Begin posting FanShots and most importantly, FanPosts. There is a 75 word minimum to FanPosts, but don't go crazy with a 5 page essay or anything. As most of you already know, if your post is good and relevant, we'll promote it to the front page.
3. Email me(kelvinhunt@hotmail.com) with your screen name to tell me you are interested so I'll know who's interested in joining the MMA4Real team. Also, so I can recognize the fanpost/fanshots you are putting up.
4. I'll need you to post consistently for about 2 weeks or so. This'll give me an idea of what you bring to the table in regards to MMA knowledge, writing ability, and how often you'll be posting.
You may ask, what will I get out of it? Well, the most important thing will be that your work will be read by a lot of people everyday. People read this site from fighters, trainers, managers, promoters, hardcore fans, casual fans, etc. Also, we can pretty much get credentialed by ANY promotion out there(except the UFC). I'm looking for people that are serious and most of all dependable so if you want to go-to local or national shows as a media outlet you'll have the opportunity. If you've been reading the site, you see that we do a lot of fighter interviews, so you'll have the opportunity to do that as well. I'll be honest in that fact that this is NOT a paid position, we are working toward that direction...but simply are not there yet.
In regards to what you post, I don't tell anyone what to write because we all have our own personalities and point of views. As long as the material is relevant, well written, and discussion oriented you are good to go.
I have to say that I've had some people in the past to say there were interested in writing, but either never show up or don't deliver on what they say. Trust me, those are two things I despise so if you fall into either category and/or are not serious then just don't bother. Whomever we bring on board MUST be dependable.
I didn't mean to type that much, but if you can't tell...I have a passion for this site to make it the best possible site out there. I work hard and so should you if you want to join the movement here. If you have any questions..email me directly.
The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.
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MMA4Real Looking To Hire
I’ll be honest in that fact that this is NOT a paid position
Aren’t these two statements contradictory? Are you not, in fact, looking for volunteers?
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Mar 5, 2010 11:51 AM EST reply actions
No
Hire: to engage the services of (a person or persons) for wages or other payment
http://www.mmaforreal.com
Follow Me On Twitter@MMA4Real
What’s the “other payment?”
Well, the most important thing will be that your work will be read by a lot of people everyday.
Seems pretty nebulous to qualify as “other payment.”
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Mar 5, 2010 1:03 PM EST up reply actions
Obviously
You are not interesting in writing…therefore it shouldn’t matter to you.
http://www.mmaforreal.com
Follow Me On Twitter@MMA4Real
On the contrary
I’m a paid journalist and the increasing amateur-ification of the industry undercuts my earning potential.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Mar 5, 2010 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe if you wrote better articles
you wouldn’t be so threatened. But then again, you seem curmudgeonly either way, so who knows.
The vast array of knowledge being spread by “amateurs”, even if it isn’t in the most polished writing, is far more important than your earning potential. I know this doesn’t hold much credence with you personally, and that’s fair; thats how you make your living. But the fact that I can watch news with video from some guy recording on his iPhone means I and everyone else have access to news as it happens, wherever it happens.
True, the farther the media net expands, the thinner the strands will be. But there will always be a place for elite, paid news. And we should only pay for the best news. I’ve worked in print newspaper as a writer and photographer, for a paper with ~20,000 circulation, and let me tell you: there is a lot of being written online for free by people seeking no money that’s a hell of a lot better than what others would charge you money for.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Mar 5, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Honestly--
I’m with KK, though I never have a desire to vocalize it. I’m a creative who had to work his way through the filth and mire becoming a creative director of his own studio. I personally think prospecting & profiting off of one’s work without compensation (when there is money to be had) is pretty bogus (should that be the case here, and I’m fairly certain that it is— otherwise SBN’s compensation model is heavily/unfairly skewed). I wouldn’t, however, discourage anyone here from doing it, should they so desire. I just wouldn’t, personally; and it’s pretty clear he (KK) wouldn’t either.
Only piping in because I get it, and he’s getting piled on a bit..
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Don't get me wrong
I completely understand where you’re coming from. I was editor at an elite (w/e) high school newspaper and didn’t get paid for it, but loved it. Got an internship over the summer where i was paid a freakin’ living wage each week. Now, don’t ask a fresh-out-of-high school kid what he does with that much money, but it was awesome. So I know that when professionalism is rewarded with appropriate compensation, all is right with the world.
But you can’t deny that the spread of news media and media services in general hasn’t really been one of the great advancements of this generation. As much as CNN sucks, their iReporter thing is the way of the future. Refer back to the Iran Uprising last summer; almost all the news we got on that situation came from people on the ground, on the street. I look forward to the day when media is the ubiquitous force in the world.
/gets back to working on Skynet
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
Truth is;
99 out of 100 times, you get what you pay for. No offense to your particular skill-set. It’s possible you’re doing paying work for free and don’t know it, or that you don’t care because you’re a hobbyist or something (and even in that case, you probably should). iReporter looks as amateur as it is, because it’s a novelty and a convenience— but they make no qualms about that. This is a wholly different venue and I don’t agree there is any commonality. Again— I must make clear that I have no issue with someone pursuing this avenue if they do so of their own free will. Doesn’t give me the most flattering impression of an enterprise, however, when they insist that they aren’t doing well enough to pay someone even a lower-dollar, hobbyist-level, per-article fee (which begets that circumstance, most often). The only minor reprieve is that there’s a suggestion that they’re (he’s?) working towards a future compensation model. I would personally recommend that anyone who gets hired requests a formal description of that model and perhaps, at the very least, ask to be privy to analytics so you can use your discretion to determine when you feel compensation is necessary.
It’s a matter of how much money is being made off of your work, all told.
Anyway, not trying to get into a pissing match with anyone. This kind of thing is okay-ish, just not for me..
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
by Blackout612 on Mar 5, 2010 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Understandable
Like I said, I understand your view. I just think I’m not at the point in my life where I care about getting paid for my writing just yet. I have been paid for it, and that was the tits, but who knows, maybe I can be the Atlanta-Journal Consitution’s first MMA beat writer some day… Until then, I let parents throw cash in the bank account, mow grass for 80 bucks a week and dick around online. I’m used to writing at a certain quality and whether or not I deserve to be paid for that is up for debate. So if I’m just sharing an opinion on MMA online, I don’t mind not getting compensated because there aren’t that many jobs in this type of coverage yet anyway. Until then, I’ll just keep being a muthafuckin wordsmith.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
good luck with that
"In Russia, Hell goes to you!"
Wanderlei: "Me, afraid of Bisping? Stop the jokes!"
by actionbastard on Mar 6, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Different strokes, I guess. I think that, with things like this, you’re dealing with a lot of different people with different motivations. It’s not too much unlike adult baseball leagues. You basically pay dues to the league to play, pay for uniforms and (to a minor degree) equipment and 20 times during the Fall I get to pretend to be playing ball in high school again. You don’t get paid. It’s a bit of an expense, actually. But it’s fun. If it’s not to you, don’t play. (Or, for some of you far more gifted than I, hold out for a league that will pay you to play.) As for me, I enjoy contributing. Even if there is never a paycheck attached. It’s not work to me, just part of what makes being a fan fun. Like I said, though, different strokes.
Again
In no way do I find meeting complicated writing standards, that generate revenue, recreational (or in any way comparable to your example). If you’re not at least doing it to add to a resume (be honest— anyone that is “applying” has prospects of being a paid writer someday, in MMA or otherwise), I can’t imagine there’s any other motivation. The idea that people just like being read and don’t care if they get paid would be fine, but guess what? Fanshots already allow you that freedom, without auditioning or output standards (which, again, result in revenue).
If you were good enough to get paid to play baseball, wouldn’t you? But of coz..
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
“If you were good enough to get paid to play baseball, wouldn’t you? But of coz..”
Sure. Which is why I implied that I would in my earlier post. I realize, thought, that I’m not in that one half of one percent that is in that category so I enjoy doing what I can and staying in contact with the sport I love in the way that I most enjoy.
“In no way do I find meeting complicated writing standards, that generate revenue, recreational.”
Alright.
“Fanshots already allow you that freedom, without auditioning or output standards.”
Then just do those. Like you said in another post: “I must make clear that I have no issue with someone pursuing this avenue if they do so of their own free will.” I agree with this and since I am using my free will to pursue it I’m glad that we agree.
Overall, I get what you’re saying. I know you understand that some will disagree. To each their own.
I think you're a little off on this one.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I wrote here for the challenge. If it led to something bigger, great. The fact of the matter is I had no defined expectations. Writing at BE was a challenge and a lot of fun at the same time. I suppose you could call it a hobby, but I had (and have) plenty of stuff to do, so it wasn’t a choice between twiddling my thumbs or writing. The ability to to drive discussion while receiving near instantaneous feedback on what I was doing was enough to justify the endeavor. Yes, I realize I’m an odd individual.
All bullshit aside, I’m sure that working with Kelvin and the crew at MMA4Real would be a great experience if one is so motivated. The dude runs a cool site.
by Cannon Jacques on Mar 6, 2010 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
This...
I am in no way a writer. I can’t write worth shit. But what I can do is code. Its a similar situation. I can code for free or get paid for it. But what I get paid for is business work. Doing things for free is a challenge. Its freedom. If someone wanted to mow your lawn for free, would you call the cops?
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
Who's calling the cops?
Don’t misconstrue— I said if someone were willing to do this, they should feel free. But guess what? You can’t profit from someone mowing your lawn. They’re not exactly handing out checks for the most well manicured grass..
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Actually they are
http://www.ion.org/satdiv/alc/
Thanks to sponsorship from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the dynamic competition offered a first place prize award of $15,000 and second and third place awards of $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. To be eligible for dynamic competition awards, teams must cut at least 50% of the grass.
2010 Competition Announced
The Institute of Navigation (ION) announces the 7th Annual Robotic Lawnmower Competition sponsored by the ION Satellite Division and administered by the Dayton Section of the ION.
The purpose of the competition is for universities and colleges to design and operate a robotic unmanned lawnmower using the art and science of navigation to rapidly and accurately mow a field of grass.
You just blew my mind
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
HOAs will fine you if its not cut, so someone cutting it for free is like a net profit. Although its not revenue.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
Haha
Well done.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Well
No offense, but it’s obvious why you’d defend this process. Being a paid creative, I don’t. Pretty black and white..
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
If you’re not at least doing it to add to a resume (be honest— anyone that is "applying" has prospects of being a paid writer someday, in MMA or otherwise), I can’t imagine there’s any other motivation.
I’m really not defending the process. I just disagree with the above statement. I’m sure there are many who seek these blogging positions with hopes of parlaying it into a paying gig. Likewise, some are probably polishing their skills or trying to see whether they are worth a damn at all. My guess is that there are a plethora of potential motivations.
Certainly, I’m not at all offended by your opinion. Your thoughts have, no doubt, been shaped by your own experiences and your position as a paid professional.
by Cannon Jacques on Mar 7, 2010 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
None taken. Sounds like you and I agree about a lot actually, particularly that such decisions up to the individual’s discretion and preference. I see it as black and white also. Who pays you for your opinions, if I might ask?
It was actually a reply to Jacques
I pay me, and not for opinions (I’m the creative director of a self-owned creative services studio).
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
There's a difference
Volunteering sounds like something you do whenever you feel like it, whereas they are looking for someone to join their staff long term. In this case being hired = assuming a certain set of responsibilities, while volunteering = writing fanposts.
why is this on BE?
seems like a naked attempt to take some of the great Fanposters and get them to do it for you instead of BE.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
Sorry
didn’t realize at first MMA4Real was part of SBNation—thought it was some outsider trying to steal Luke’s mojo!
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
I figured
no worries…we all family here…some just need to get edumacated…that’s all ;)
http://www.mmaforreal.com
Follow Me On Twitter@MMA4Real
Also
I am looking to hire someone to do yardwork for me. You won’t get paid, but you will get plenty of exposure (to the sun). Lots of people will see your work when they come to my parties.
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