As many of you know our longtime Oilers beatwriter, Richard Cloutier has decided to move on pursue other endeavors and this leaves us with an opening here at Hockeybuzz and it occurred to me I have never written about the process of how we find our great writers. I am very proud of the fact that this site employs some if the most interesting and diverse group of writers on the subject of hockey anywhere. We are only as good as our writers and I know it.
So two of the questions I get asked all the time are
1. "How do you pick your writers?"
2. "How might I become a hockeybuzz blogger?"
The answer to the first question is part complicated and part simple. Most importantly, what I am looking for is a voice. I believe 95% of the readers of this site have the knowledge to write about this sport. In fact, many of you are far more knowledgeable than most of the people writing about, or talking about, hockey today here or elsewhere. So yes, while I look for hockey knowledge, I prioritize "voice" in a big way. I want to read someone who can craft a thought. I want to read a new take on an old subject. I like to be entertained while informed. More than experience a fresh voice is king around here. Fresh voices are what makes Hockeybuzz into a true community.
An example of finding such a person was our own Eric Engels. Eric sent me an email way-back-when and at the time he was the furthest thing from a hockey writer. He was just a fan. A very passionate fan. In his email to me I could see a serious voice representative of the great Habs fanbase. When I asked him if I could post his email as a blog he was shocked to say the least! The response was phenomenal and a week later I gave Eric a shot on a part time basis. It didn't take but a few blogs to make that permanent and now Eric not only works in the industry for Hockeybuzz, but does so for XM Radio and has spots on Montreal Radio...(and does some freelance elsewhere on occasion) And Eric watches the games from the Press Box in Montreal and has become one of the most read Canadiens writers in the world.
And Eric is just one example of so many. Many still here, and a few who have gone on to try their own thing.
The second part is more technical. Writing a blog or two is easy. Writing every day or every few days, especially in the dog days of August, takes more than a desire to collect a paycheck. It is a way of life...and addiction. Not everyone has that in them and not every should even want that in them!
So I look for people who write OFTEN. Occasionally, like Eric, we will give someone a shot who has no writing history...but if you have a voice AND a string of Blogs over the last year to show you are an addict, that definitely helps.
So by now, many of you are asking in your head (or out loud) why we have teams currently missing a writer for them. Well, along with Edmonton, we have been and are currently looking hard for new writers for teams in Colorado and Washington, as well as an additional writer for the Canadiens (and I am always looking for a French blogger for the Habs.) The Islanders are also in need of an additional writer, but I believe we may have found our guy and will be introducing him in the next few days. (And if you are a writer for a team I didn't mention we are always interested in unique voices. If we love your stuff we will find a spot on our roster. It is pretty simple.)
I really want to apologize to the fanbases who are missing writers. There is never a shortage of applicants, but since it is the summer I have been taking my time to try and add the perfect person. See I love our current line-up and I believe we currently have the best group of writers. we have ever had on this site. Anyone I find has to look good playing on their line. Not an easy task, but I believe the right people are out there...
If you are interested in being heard you can email me eklund at hockeybuzz dot com. It may take a few days, but I read everything and will get back to you. Just put "writer applicant" in your subject. Include a little about yourself and a sample of the blog you would write today if you were writing on hockeybuzz today. Use your voice and wow us!
On the Oilers
Never have I received more interest than in the Oilers job. I have also received some great applicants with writing samples. Over the next few days I will be posting some of these to see what you all think. Today I will begin with a blog from a guy who has shown that he is able to produce consistent content in the myhockeybuzz section of the site. Just look below and you will see his blog. Over the next few days I will post some others that really standout before making a final decision (which honestly may include adding two writers to this hockey crazed market.)
Thanks for listening and enjoy!
Check out the first Oilers guest blog
HERE 
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