 Contests & Activities: December 09, 2009 Issue [#3400] |
  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: Crys-not really here  
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My name is Crys-not really here and it is my pleasure to be guest-writing the Contest and Activities Newsletter this week. 
In the 7 years I've been on the Writing.com, I have seen and run my fair share of both poor and good contests. Today, I'd like to share some of my guidelines for choosing contests to enter. I hope they are of some use to you when you look for fun, new contests. |
| ASIN: B004PICKDS |
Product Type: Toys & Games
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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4 Things I Look for in a Contest
With a ton of Contests and Activities around the site, how does one know how to narrow them down? Contests like "The Writer's Cramp" [13+] have a great reputation for being well-run for years, so they may be a no brainer for anyone looking for a reliable, fun contest. But what about all of the small, lesser-known contests? How do you find one that’s right for you?
When I evaluate a contest, I tend to look for some of the following things:
1) An original concept- This is a very important one to me. It’s easy to start a contest with a generic prompt and offer up some GP’s for the best entry. When a member sets up a contest that has some sort of theme or purpose, it shows that they have really thought about making it stand out. Genre-related contests are always popular: Erotica, History, Children’s, etc. So are contests that cater to a specific type of member. For example, there are a couple of fantastic contests aimed toward teenagers on the site. I also look for contests that twist genres together. Science Fiction-Romance, anyone? Paranormal-Erotica? Children’s-History? Action/Adventure-Comedy?
A contest that uses some sort of attention-grabber or aligns itself with a special event or group also tends to catch my attention.
2) A challenge.- Does the contest challenge me to break out of my usual genre or form? For example, I normally write free-verse poetry, so I tend to gravitate toward contests that allow me to learn about and experience poetry in form. Does the contest have a unique time frame like the Writer’s Cramp, where one must write and submit a piece within 24 hours? Is the prompt one that I haven’t heard a thousand times before? Does it in some way push me to become a better writer?
3) Sufficient prizes.- Is the contest going to reward me for my efforts? I’ve seen prizes anywhere from a couple of thousand GP’s to 10,000 GP’s or a merit badge and up. Contests that run more frequently will probably offer smaller prizes, and multi phase contests like "15 for 15 Contest --- Closed" [18+] that require you to enter every day for a certain period of time should probably offer more for your efforts.
4) Good organization.- Are the rules clear? If contestants have questions, does the organizer answer them in a reasonable time period? Is it clear who is judging the contest? If the organizer has run contests before, does he or she have a good reputation for running fair contests?
If you keep some of these ideas in mind the next time you look for a contest, you may just be surprised about all the gems you find! They are equally as important to keep in mind when starting your own contest as well.
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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!
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| ASIN: B00KN0JEYA |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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| Have a unique contest? I'd like to hear about it. It could be featured in an upcoming newsletter! |
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