 Contests & Activities: July 16, 2025 Issue [#13242] |
This week: What Makes a Good Prize Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contests & Activities Newsletter by Dawn
Taking a moment to ponder the best approach for picking prizes when running a contest. Which should have a bigger prize? |
One big factor to consider when creating or managing a contest, plus something you might look at when considering which to enter, is the prize package. You want to host a contest. You want people to enter. If someone wins, what will they get? There are some main common place prizes that are often offered with a contest. The common ones include: gift points, awardicons, and merit badges. Many of us include reviews but those are usually given to anyone who enters, not just the ones that win. However, it has been done before with some contests where only the winners will get a review. Just depends on what you want to do, but if you can put aside a little time once the round ends, I do suggest given a little review to everyone.
Aside from the what question (what prize), you also have to consider how much or which one. Is 5,000 gift points enough for second place. Do you give out awardicons for every prize or just the top one? Do you give more than one prize for the top winners?
There are many options but aside from tall of that, I also sort of wonder what people think should factor into making those decisions. Like, does the longer contest that allows more writing time and more word count need to have the bigger prize? Or maybe if someone has to write something really quick, with a short deadline because that isn't an easy task there is a question over how much to give for the award. It isn't easy writing quick, quality work that follows a prompt and gets entered on time.
Does the item type also factor into the equation? This means considering if there is a difference in prize goals when comparing something like very short poetry, long poetry, flash fiction, short stories or even novelettes. Some poetry contests have small prizes while others go for the big ones like 50k awardicons while a short story contest might offer 10,000 gift points and/or a merit badge for first prize.
Some contests have a special made merit badge, which is a nice little detail to offer. Have to admit that for my own contests, whether I created them or not, I haven't taken the option of having a merit badge created specifically for them. I just use some of the other ones that are available for everyone to use. Since I have some genre specific contests, I do like to give an option instead of just offering one single merit badge, just in case they have 20 romance merit badges but maybe still need Short Story or something else that is fitting.
One does have to take into account what options they have available and can afford. I build up gift points over time, so after 20 years, do okay for myself with reviews and generous donations to contests. Having a group for the contest and a bank to be able to use if helpful if the contest is going to run for a while. Might have other options if it's a one time only contest.
What is the magic number to get people excited to enter when it comes to gift points? What prize is the best? What prize fits?
This newsletter has lots of questions and that's partly because, I don't have the answers. I am throwing them out into the WDC universe and hoping for a response or some type of strange echo. Let me know your thoughts. There is a response option for these emails or I'm often found on the WDC messenger (aka scroll). So, come check things out and chat a bit. I am very curious what people think about prizes for contests. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
What is your favorite prize for a contest that makes you want to enter?
Last month, I discussed account anniversaries since I have been on WDC 20 years, as of July 1. Here is a comment that someone sent in for that newsletter:
Comment by Cadie Laine 
My anniversary is June. This year I haven't had a chance to celebrate as my family has moved from one dwelling to another. I always look forward to the calendar that I receive each year.
- I know the feels. Rarely do I ever do much for the account anniversaries but I do like the little calendar.
 |
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