Sports Blog Link of the Day, Plus Shout Outs and Thank Yous As We End Our 5th Month

While making my thrice-daily perusals of BallHype this afternoon, I came across an oustanding post at The World According to Moon Dog that got me inspired. The post is entitled “Earning Your Way in the Sports Blogosphere” and I encourage everyone who is currently a blogger or who is considering starting a blog to follow that link and read the post.

It is spot on. Here is my favorite excerpt:

“But I also owe much of this site’s success to many people I’ve met along the way. Again, like anyone that’s been in blogging for a year or so, most all of us can point to several friends or any number of sites that have frequently linked to us, bringing attention upon our work.

Without those friends and the support of fellow site owners, many sports blogs get lost in the shuffle.

In order to get that support, you’ve got to write something worth linking to. In addition, you’ve got return those favors and publicly note the support of those that have helped you.

I don’t believe this relatively new member of the blogosphere understood – like I’ve come to understand – you have to pay your dues.”

If I sat down to write a post about what I have learned in the five months that Midwest Sports Fans has been up and running, I could only hope to be able to articulate it so perfectly.

And after reading MoonDog’s post, it occurred to me that there is a long list of people I need to thank for helping Midwest Sports Fans achieve the modest but exciting amount of success that we have had. Obviously blogrolls and links are the best way for a blogger to do this, and I plan to be much more proactive in doing so moving forward, but if any of our supporters are reading this I want to give them the proper shout outs.

First and foremost, I have to thank the writers who have contributed content to the site. People like MidnightWriter, KVB, Kaner, Plough, Chad, Stephanie, Josh, Squizz, MJ, Ryan Russell, Gerlach, Coop, Fraschetti, EJ, Joe, Rick Reuben. Hopefully you all know how much I appreciate your contributions, both in terms of new posts and comments. You keep the action happening at MSF, especially on those days when I’m burnt out, busy, or write something that totally sucks.

And to all of the regular readers and subscribers, you have my deep gratitude as well. My goal, and the goal of our writers, is to produce something informative or entertaining, or both. There would be no reason to do so without eyes to read it. So thank you for keeping us on your regular rotation. And to people MNRC, even though all of the Browns fans hate you because you’re a Steelers fan, you are our most loyal commentator, and much appreciated because of it.

I also have to give a special shoutout to Dash and the rest of the Deadspin crew. As any sports blogger knows, there is website whose link carries more power than Deadspin. Traffic always spikes, and any SEO nerds like me know the value of links from high authority sites. For all of the inclusions in the Blogdome, I am truly, truly appreciative.

There have been many other sites in addition to Deadspin who have linked to our content as well. I won’t list every single one out by name obviously, but almost all of them have found their way into the Blogroll (or should soon). Special thanks go to Ryan at Cowher09.com and SaveLeBron.com, ClevelandFrowns.com, KVB and the Flash Sports Tonight crew, and we have to give a special shoutout to Kornheiser’s Cartel. We got started about the same time and exchanged links right off the bat. I’ve definitely been impressed with what you guys have created.

I don’t want to go on and on. Obviously I’d like to thank everyone who has done something to support what we are doing here at MSF. One way we will accomplish that is to start regular link roundup posts. I’ve been, admittedly, a little lazy in not putting these together. But after reading MoonDog’s article, it reminded me that you can’t expect to create a successful sports blog without sharing the love that others have given you. I’m not sure we’re really big enough yet to have as huge impact on other sites as they have had on us, but it’s time to start trying — and doing one more thing to pay dues and be an active part of the sports blog community.

So thank you to Moon Dog for writing such a great post, and thank you again to everyone who has supported us here at Midwest Sports Fans. The first five months has literally been one of the fun and exciting experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m looking forward to bigger and better things in 2009.

And maybe, just maybe, the Browns can become consistent winners and Indiana’s athletic department can show signs of competence.

Now I’m just being ridiculous.

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