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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6505-Contests-for-Newbies.html
Contests & Activities: August 20, 2014 Issue [#6505]

Newsletter Header
Contests & Activities


 This week: Contests for Newbies
  Edited by: 🦄🏳️‍🌈Sapph Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to share my thoughts, ideas, and experience with anything and everything relating to contests and activities. Information from me to you on entering and running activities here on Writing.Com.

Today's Topic
Contests for Newbies


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

There are a large number of contests on Writing.com and one of the larger subsets focuses on new members. These contents can range from any genre or topic but only allow entries members deemed as "newbies" who are members that have been on the site for a short amount of time. There are two different sets of members involved in these contests: newbies and contest owners/judges. Each set has something they want from the contest and something they can give to it.

These members are new to the site and to contests on it. Entering a contest can be a big step in becoming involved in the community. They typically are looking for a contest that can help improve their writing and help them to get to know other members. Contests targeted toward new members should focus on helping to improve their writing while being encouraging. Sometimes contests can scare members from WDC or writing itself if critiques of the writing is too harsh and too focused on the negative instead of the positives of a work. What should be done is to highlight the positive points of a work and what can be done to turn the negatives around.

These types of contests also take a little extra effort to run because the entrants are new members. They may not know the correct ways to link an item or where exactly to look for contest rules. Making these elements clearly displayed on the page can help alleviate confusion, help newbies learn the site more, and make them more comfortable with contests in general.


A few tips to help you create successful contests for newbies:

*Starr* Remember that these members are new to the site and possibly writing.

*Staro* Review contest entries so that newbies feel engaged with the contest.

*Star* Be constructive in your reviews and show what was done correctly and what could be improved.

*Starg* Clearly define the rules and make them noticeable.

*Starb* Include helpful links to items around the site that pertain to the contest (such as linking).

*Starv* Be open to help with questions that arise.


Contests that tailor themselves to new members and are focused on the encouraging aspects of entering contests with the goal of helping members improve will likely be better received than those that are harsh and unhelpful.


Editor's Picks

For Newbies:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Image Protector
Newbie Portfolio Project Open in new Window. [E]
How would you like a pretty ribbon for your portfolio? Non-newbies welcome!
by Cinn Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Image Protector
The Newbie Research Center Open in new Window. [E]
Gathering information to improve the experiences of people new to WDC.
by Cinn Author Icon



For Everyone:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Image Protector
a very Wodehouse challenge Open in new Window. [E]
Special 24th WDC Anniversary Special Event! Come test your fortitude!
by iKïyå§ama Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

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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Don't forget to support our sponsor!

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Ask & Answer

My question for you this time: What are you most afraid of when entering a contest?


Question from before: What are you most afraid of when entering a contest?


GaelicQueen Author Icon replied: What am I most afraid of when entering a contest? Fear of appearing as a hack that can't string three words together; that I am not making character and actions clear to the reader.


Quick-Quill Author Icon replied: When I first joined Writing.com I was nervous about entering my first contest. I was a little excited to since I'd been told I could write good stories. I wanted to see if it was true. What I found was I could tell a good story, but how it was presented needed a lot of work. Some were kind about reviewing and others were as bad as I was and dug a little too deep. What I learned from entering contests is> Just do it! and do it often. Then take one of the reviewing classes. You'll be able to read a review in a different light. It made all the difference in my learning process.


River Author Icon replied: When entering a contest I'm most afraid of not finishing by the deadline. Also, I worry about grammar and punctuation.


Siobhan Falen Author Icon replied: Dissatisfaction. When I win by default or there's only one entry, it's disappointing. I take great pride in winning against other skilled writers and it's a bummer to win against... nothing. I take every loss as a learning experience. So, I would much rather lose to a more skilled writer than win against nothing.


ohsoquiet replied: Thanks for the tips! I've gone with the first one, for now. "Write for yourself, then look for a contest to enter." I often struggle with prompts, so is's a good way for me to still enter contests. *Smile*


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