SEO for a Baseball site

The differences in search engine optimizing a sports site vs a site selling a product or a typical internet marketing blog are multifold. No disrespect meant to most of the internet blogging community but it seems that the majority of their traffic is amongst each other, dropping comments, entrecards, blogcatalog images, etc. The traffic is nice indeed but when it comes time how many actual monetize the visitors.

The sport in question, Baseball (although all sports will apply) has a different make-up. From a visitor standpoint those likely to visit your blog will have to have interest in the sport and usually the type of content, whether it be team, player, fantasy sports based, etc. A focus will help you to appeal to a targeted set of readers. You can gain success being a jack of all trades but this takes multiple writers and view points.

When it comes time to monetize these blogs many make the mistake of taking up too much space with Google Adsense ads. These ads typically pay very little per click, as there isn't a whole lot of competition out there. Also there keywords are primarily for baseball tickets, gloves and even the dreaded low paying Ebay standard ad. Certainly there has to be a better way to gain some revenue from your blog.

The number one source of revenue can be from the ticket brokers themselves. Typically they will contact you for a chance to advertise with a standard form letter. Here's an actual e-mail that I received on for one of my sites (with the service & site deleted)

"To whom it may concern:

My name is Kay and I am with DELETED, an online ticket brokerage. If possible, my company is interested running a text link advertising campaign on your website. We are looking for 1-6 month contracts. In addition please let us know where the placement of the ad will be. We would prefer to be close as possible to the top left hand side of the page, and be featured on your home page only.

Please let me know if you are interested and also provide rates and terms.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

P.S. If you own or operate any other relevant sites that have advertising opportunities please include those in your response."

As you can see they attempt to leave the ball in your court. Usually these ads can be tucked away in one of your sites sidebars, which shouldn't really interfere with your readers. The size of your blog, its page rank and the usual traffic that you bring in are all factors in the amount you can charge. Typically a block of 4 links can be sold to these outlets for $100 per 6 months. Nothing to make you quit your day job but if you eventually get four or five ticket services (which many blogs do) you have the chance at earning over $1000 per year for your work.

This is the most profitably realistic advertising source for a baseball/sports blog. Just keep at it and when the time comes make sure to get your fair price.