FanPosts and FanShots are part of what make SB Nation blogs different from and better than other blogs you might read - they allow you to contribute content, giving each user a greater voice than s/he might have anywhere else on the 'Net. But just because you've got a voice doesn't mean you should yell and it doesn't mean you should speak just to hear yourself talk. Here are some helpful hints for newcomers and veterans alike.

What Are FanShots For?

FanShots are quick posts, links, images or videos.

When Should You Post a FanShot?

  • Whenever you find a link, a quote, a video or a photo that you think your fellow PPPers will enjoy.
  • When you don't have any commentary to add to the link, video, photo or quote.

FanShots are a great way of sharing anything interesting Leafs or even NHL-related. If you find a great MSM article (or even a particularly bad one that you think could spur on good discussion), a good quotation, a YouTube video, a good image, or anything that you stumble across on your trip around the interwebs that you think Leafs fans would appreciate. One caveat: make sure it has not already been posted. If it's breaking news make sure that it hasn't already been posted. Please check the morning post and read the recent fanshots to see if it's already been posted. If it has then it's going to get deleted.

They differ from FanPosts because they are much less involved. If you are just adding a paragraph or two of explanation, it should probably be a FanShot.

In the interest of maximizing the exposure of your FanShot here are some tips to maximize your efforts:

  1. Write a killer headline. Include key words like names and teams, and be as specific as possible. Most people click on FanShots from the sidebar (even though the FanShots page is more helpful), meaning the only thing readers will see initially is your headline. If they don't like the headline, they won't click on the link. Unless, of course, you...
  2. Include an intriguing image. Make sure the text and detail are large enough to make out -- be aware that the SBN software might shrink it to the correct size. Make sure the point of the image is quickly apparent -- don't make me struggle to understand what I'm looking at. Most importantly, make sure I see something interesting. I need to be motivated enough to click through the link or leave a comment.
  3. Entice readers with significant information. This could be a long quote, data tables, or your own thoughts. Give us something interesting that can be used as a discussion starter, not just an executive summary.

Headlines

Your headline or image is the gateway to the rest of the FanShot. The rest of the FanShot is the gateway to readers clicking the link and leaving comments.