  Contests & Activities
This week: Tips for Hosting Your First Contest Edited by: spidey  
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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey , and I'm your Editor this week! I'd like to discuss hosting your first contest .
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Tips for your first contest
I decided to do something crazy this year - I offered to host Thanksgiving dinner for my family. I called up my Mom (who hadn't seemed excited about hosting the dinner the past few years) and made my offer. She was excited, and I was excited. And then I got nervous.
I started thinking about all the things that could go wrong, and I have to admit that I had more than one nightmare about the event! What if the turkey isn't done in time? What if I under-cook the turkey? What if I forget an ingredient?
So, I did what I do when faced with a big task - I organized and prepared. That's when it made me think about what it's like to host a contest for the first time. It can be scary and your mind is filled with "What if?" questions. What if no one understands what the contest is about? What if no one enters my contest?
Tips for your first contest
 Don't be afraid to ask for help! Try forums like "Writing.Com General Discussion" to ask for ideas on hosting contests, asking for co-judges, or getting advice on your contest's set-up. Ask fellow members and friends if the rules seem clear, and don't be afraid of their honesty or criticism!
Make a list! Lists are great for being sure you're covering every aspect. Don't forget important things like Rules, Prizes, Deadlines, etc. Check everything off to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.
Advertise! This is probably the most important influence on whether or not your contest will be successful. A contest's success may very well depend upon the number of entries! Don't forget to spread the word about your contest! Use these tools to advertise:
 Sponsored Items Click on "Things to Do & Read" on the left and near the bottom, you'll see the link to Sponsored Items. Use gps to make sure members see your contest!
Through your Account Options, you can use places like your Billboard, Signature and Highlighted Items to advertise your contest. Click on "My Account" to the left, then "Account Options" to access this area.
Don't forget about "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" and "Activities @ Writing.Com" ! These two the places to advertise activities and contests!
Be adaptable! If something's not working, be willing to change! Be open to ideas and suggestions from entrants and viewers.
There are lots of ways to perfect and promote your first contest. Don't get discouraged if it's not an immediate success. Many successful contests are around simply because the host kept on plugging it until it caught on! Just keep trying and getting the word out! And don't be afraid to edit! 
Happy Hosting!!
Always keep on writing!
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Contests:
Activities:
Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form or submission form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!
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My last newsletter ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (November 3, 2010)" ), dealt with NaNoWriMo.
Thank you for including a link to the contest I am hosting from my edition of the newsletters, this is greatly appreciated! ~ ~WhoMe???~ 
You're very welcome!
Okay, probably a dumb question - are you sure those are only helpful hints for NaNo folks? Apart from writing massive amounts of words per day, all your suggestions also work for regular, old-fashioned writing too. Granted, my mental calendar takes on which project I'm working and how long for each day, instead of how many words - but it's the general idea. All in all - good suggestions for everybody who writes. ;) ~ atwhatcost
You're right! While I addressed those tips to NaNo-ers, they can work for any writers! Good point!
Questions to think about:
What was your first hosting experience like? What did you learn? What advice would you give to first-timers? If you've never hosted a contest, what's keeping you from trying?
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Contests & Activities: November 30, 2010 Issue [#4102]
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