Are you passionate about understanding audiences and leveling the playing field in sports?
The GIST is looking for a knowledgeable sports fan and strong writer to be part of our client solutions and content team.
Sports acumen, writing skills and the ability to empathize with and understand a GISTer is a must. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with internal teams and external clients is a requirement.
The GIST is a fan-first sports media brand that's shaking up the male-dominated sports industry. We're reinventing the dialogue around sports by providing equal coverage to women's and men's sports. Whether you catch our newsletter, podcast or social posts — our fun, digestible content is for all types of fans.
Our vision is to become the go-to source for sports for underserved fans. Since launching in July 2018, we’ve grown our community to over 1.2M+ GISTers across North America, have worked with brands like the NBA, FanDuel and Nike and our co-founders were named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2020.
Want to join our team? We hope so. Here’s more on the Ads Copywriter & Newsletter Writer role:
Role: Full-time.
Reports into: Client Solutions Lead
Location: Canada. Head office located in Toronto, ON.
More on the role:
Ads Copywriting (70-75%)
Key objectives
- Interpreting partner briefs/client calls to compose (timely) editorialized advertorial content that help to accomplish clients’ goals while also maintaining The GIST’s signature voice and tone
- Cultivate relationships with external media planners/buyers and internal sales and production teams to help develop/produce compelling advertorial campaigns
- Writing high quality content to continually improve engagement and clicks
Core responsibilities:
Content
- Have a thorough macro and micro understanding of our partners’ goals in both long- and short-term engagements
- Familiarizing yourself with brand, product, target market, value prop and competitors
- Interpreting client briefs with a high-level of attention to detail
- Occasionally joining client calls to engage and ask questions
- Produce compelling, succinct newsletter, podcast and website ad features to meet The GIST’s editorial standards
- Optimize advertorial content for different verticals, channels and content lengths
- Leverage calendar moments in pop culture and sports to editorialize the content and add voice/flair
- Be flexible and creative as messaging and deadlines evolve on the fly
- Monitor campaign effectiveness and iterating throughout an engagement
- Have key learnings/recommendations heading into renewal conversations
- Become an expert on The GIST’s audience
- Work efficiently to meet all content deadlines
- Contribute ideas to continually improve The GIST’s product offering to brands
Teamwork
- Work closely with and act on feedback from fellow writers, branded content developmental editors and copyeditors
- Accept constructive edits and continue to learn and improve writing over time
- Meet with project teams to consider advertising requirements
- Work closely with account manager, branded content manager/producer, sales and integrated marketing teams
- Have the opportunity to grow into a larger role with The GIST
- Other responsibilities as they arise
Newsletter writing (25-30%)
Key objectives
- Stay informed on the latest in sports news/business and pop culture at large to create top-notch content that GISTers love
- Continually listen to community feedback to improve content and pitch new ideas of how we can surprise and delight our audience, retain our audience and grow our community
Core responsibilities
Newsletter
- Write sections for the Monday, Wednesday & Friday edition of The GIST’s sports news or sports biz newsletter, or write Sunday Scrolls and Special Editions as assigned
- Select which stories will be featured in the newsletter, how and where
- Help to refine The GIST’s voice
- Assist with newsletter operations when assigned
- Work closely with The GIST’s head of content, developmental editor and fellow writers
- Collaborate with writers across verticals
- Contribute to the evolution of The GIST’s voice, constantly updating The GIST’s style guide
Other
- Contribute creative ideas to continually improve The GIST
- Contribute ideas and feedback to The GIST’s branded content and social media teams
- Other duties as they arise
Requirements:
- Copywriting experience of at least two years is preferred
- Bonus if copywriting experience is in newsletter, podcast or social advertising
- Experience in digital media is considered an asset
- Experience in sports is considered an asset
- Experience at an agency is considered an asset
- Experience in writing in a brand voice
- Undergraduate degree
- Degree in business, English, communications, journalism, sports management, media or a similar field is considered an asset
- Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills as well as journalistic integrity
About you:
- You’re up-to-speed on the latest copywriting techniques
- You hold a a GISTer-first mindset, seeking to write compelling copy that matters to our audience
- Your friends would say you’re funny, or even better, witty
- You’re creative and imaginative
- You’re a motivated independent worker with a positive can-do attitude
- You have excellent time management skills and have the energy and stamina to always meet your deadlines
- You have the ability to work flexible hours because, well, sports
- You are incredibly knowledgeable about sports. You are the go-to source in your friend group
- You’re a multitasker who thrives taking on multiple projects at once
- You’re a quick and resourceful learner who can thrive in a fast-paced, evolving startup setting and is able to grow with the company
- You’re customer-service oriented and seed to not only meet, but exceed expectations
- You’re exceptionally detail-oriented
- You’re collaborative and bring a sports-loving spirit
What we offer:
- The opportunity to be part of a women-founded, hard-working, growing and fun team that is looking to level the playing field in the sports industry
- An opportunity to build relationships with our wide variety of partners — from startups to global leaders like the NBA and FanDuel
- An opportunity to work across revenue and content functions
- An opportunity to grow with The GIST
- Competitive wage and vacation
Picking up what we’re putting down? Here’s what’s next:
Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: “YOUR NAME - Ad Copywriter & Newsletter Writer - 2023” with:
- Your one-page resume
- One screenshot/link to a piece of ad copy that you’ve seen and loved
Answers to the following three questions:
- What sets you apart from other applicants to this position?
- What are the three most important things to consider when writing newsletter ad features?
- What are the three most important things to consider when writing a newsletter?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Successful candidates will be made aware of the next steps (aka some homework).