Modern journalism has been transformed by social media, allowing reporters to interact with fans, break news, and share opinions with a global audience. But what is it really like to navigate the world of social media as a sports journalist? In this Q&A we sit down with Tyler Yaremchuck, a writer and podcast producer for OilersNation and Daily Faceoff, host of the Oilersnation Everyday show and most importantly, a former RATV student, to hear about his experiences, insights, and advice for aspiring journalists looking to build their brand.
Q: When it comes to social media, how has it impacted your ability to reach and engage with your audience?
A: “It’s had a huge impact. It gives me the opportunity to engage with them in real-time. By responding to comments, retweeting or sharing relevant content, and participating in live chats, I’ve been able to build a stronger connection with my followers and establish myself as a trusted voice in the sports community.”
Q: Can you provide some examples of how social media has helped you promote your work and build your personal brand as a sports journalist?
A: “When I write a new article, have a new live show coming up, or a new podcast that just dropped, a big part of the process is making sure that I’m posting on all my social media platforms to let everyone who follows me know that it’s out. It’s a great way to make sure my existing following is reminded to listen to my stuff and it’s also a great way to get new eyeballs on my work.”
Q: How can the rise in popularity of short-form social media platforms benefit journalists and content creators?
A: “With platforms like TikTok, YouTube shorts or Instagram reels it’s easy to get a lot of views on a short rant-style post. That’s good for gaining a following. It’s also good for advertisers. By selling logo spots on these short clips, you can get a partner’s logo shown to more people which provides more value to them. Social media is vital to the growth and long-term success of any property when it comes to online media.”
Q: Is there a difference between your personal and professional approach to social media?
A: For me, there really isn’t a difference. I do not have different accounts for my professional and personal life. I want people who consume my content to feel like they know me personally. When they tune into my shows, I want it to feel like they’re just sitting around with a friend and talking about sports and that means also sharing pieces of my personal life.
Q: How do you maintain that balance between both your personal and professional lives in the public eye?
A: “When it comes to my online life, I think sharing pieces about my day to day life outside of work is an important way to give people a better connection to me. That means I need to be careful about what exactly I post on my account at all times, since I also use these accounts when working with advertisers but I think the payoff of building up a really loyal listener base is worth it.”
Q: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve encountered when using social media to reach people?
A: “I think the most difficult part is having to block out the negativity. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that there are a lot of trolls online, especially in comment sections. Sometimes it can be really difficult to not take certain things that are thrown your way to heart. Over the years, I’ve definitely gotten a lot better at it, but that is without a doubt the most difficult part of working in online media.”
Q: Now that we live in a digital age, what advice can you give to new journalists that aren’t that familiar with the benefits of social media?
A: “If you’re not putting enough importance on social media, you’re likely missing out on valuable opportunities to engage with your audience, build your brand, and stay on top of breaking news. My advice would be to start by setting up professional accounts on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and dedicating time each day to engage with followers and share your work.”
Tyler’s shows are available every day with pre and post-game analysis and opinions on The Nation Network YouTube channel. His Twitter account also offers regular updates to keep up with his content.
