Want to write for Raptors HQ? We want to hear from you

As a wise Toronto man once said: If you’re reading this it’s too late. Sorry, the application window is closed for now. Thanks for your interest!

With the Raptors plugging away in 2018, it’s time to do something we here at HQ haven’t officially done in some time: yes, that’s right, we’re putting out a call for contributors.

Excited? Interested? Well then, let’s talk.

If you’ve wanted to contribute to HQ and didn’t know how to get started, toss us an email at raptorsHQsbn@gmail.com immediately. That’s Raptors HQ SBN at gmail dot come. Make your 2018 dreams a reality and let’s get cracking. (And if you already tried that at some point between 2014 and 2017, I’m sorry I didn’t get back to your email.)

Now, if you haven’t already thought about contributing to HQ but want to know what it is we might be looking for, head to the next helpfully titled section. (There are more sections after that, but I’ll let them speak for themselves.)

What Kind of Content Does HQ Want?

• Game coverage! — Write a preview for a game, or write a recap for a game, or think about it for a night or two and then reflect on things that happened in a game. It’s all there in game coverage. Special additional point: this is the site’s bread-and-butter — if all you want to do is watch Raps games and write about them, this is your chance!
• Weekly columns! — HQ has lots of space for recurring columns or weekly posts (I myself write four of them). They don’t have to be long, but they should be fun or insightful or any other positive adjective you can think of. If you have an idea that could support a weekly/biweekly/or, sure, monthly post, your ship has come in.
• Long and short news posts! — Often times in the sports world, things happen. If those things are even remotely related to the Raptors, it behooves us here at HQ to write about it as fast as we possibly can. These happenings can be anything — believe me — and if you’re around to write about it, go nuts.
• Anything Else? Sure why not, we’re listening! — Not to say there’s no quality filter on HQ, but let’s just say I’m ready to take Raptors coverage in any which direction I (or you?) desire.

What Kind of Writer Are You?

Let’s answer this question two ways. First, if you’ve got writing samples to send along, fire those babies this way. I can assure you it doesn’t matter where they’re from (personal blog, reputable news site, message in a bottle), but it helps us determine if you’ve got the chops to write at HQ. I mean that in the least daunting way possible. (And really, if you don’t have any writing samples, this can still work — I promise.)

What we’re looking for are Raptors (and NBA) fans with a voice, with an opinion, and with some smarts to back up what they’re writing (or failing that, at least try to have a good sense of humour about the whole thing). If you’re a stats and numbers guy, cool; if you want to write bizarre flights of fancy, tremendous; if you just want to report the news, welcome aboard. There’s lots to do here (and I need the help).

Second — well, actually, we need to head to the next section to answer this question in a second way.

But What’s In It For Me (You)?

As you may have heard: SB Nation generally doesn’t pay team sites very much money. I make a bit, and some of the senior staff here get some, but there’s not a lot funds to go around. Maybe I should have said this off the top but here goes anyway: you really do have to approach this as a fan working on a labour of love. That’s it. Sorry!

Now, I realize this is unfair and will discourage many of you from offering any writing services at all. I totally get that, and I feel like a jerk as it is — sorry again. All I can say is this: If you’re interested in writing, or enjoy writing for fun, or really just want someone — anyone! — to read your opinions on the Raptors, we here at HQ can help. More specifically, if you’re a sometimes bored office work (like me) looking for an outlet, or a student (like some of our alumni) looking to hone those writing chops, HQ can help. It’s may not be much, but it’s not nothing.

If all or any of this makes sense to you and you’re still interested, once again: contact us at raptorsHQsbn@gmail.com.