  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: Melissa is fashionably late!  
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What fun would the world be if you didn't have Writing.com? What fun would Writing.com be if it didn't have interactives and contests?
If you have a hard time finding something fun to do, then this newsletter's for you! |
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The Rule of Thumb
So you've decided to host a contest on Writing.Com. You've got your method of contest medium chosen. You have a catchy title. You even found a couple of friends to help you in juding the massive amount of entries you're anticipating. You create your contest item, title it, give it a description. Then it comes time to declare the rules for entry.
But what should the rules be? Is there a standard? Are there any helpful hints in knowing what to predict you will need a rule for? Maybe not, but perhaps this bit of information will help you.
First, brainstorm and ask yourself all of the questions that a visitor and possible entrant to your contest would ask:
 When will your contest start?
When will your contest end?
What kind of writing will you accept in your contest (poetry, short stories, etc.)?
How would you like items submitted (email, bitem post, In&Out post, etc.)?
What content rating are you willing to accept as entries?
Will there be an entry fee?
How long will it take you to judge?
What if you need to add or change rules?
What if someone doesn't follow the rules that you've declared?
Generally, when I'm thinking up the rules for my contests, I try to answer as many questions as possible for my possible entrants. That way, they aren't discouraged because they're unsure and have to ask.
I try to list my rules out so that they're easy to read, and stand out from the rest of the contest's description. This can be accomplished by using ML tags and bolding, italicizing, underlining, and even changing the font color. Using various emoticons, such as {e:star} or {e:idea} can also help to highlight each individual rule.
An example rule section would look something like this:
Rules
 Contest opens Friday, October 21, 2005 at 12:00 am.
Contest closes Friday, October 28, 2005 at 11:59 pm.
Short stories (1,000 words and under) and poetry (40 lines and under) accepted.
Please submit your entry within the forum using a bitem link ({bitem:#######}).
All items must be rated 18+ or below.
No entry fee.
Contest results will be posted no later than Friday, November 4, 2005.
All rules are subject to change at the discretion of the contest owner, without notification. It is the responsibility of the entrant to become and remain fully aware of all rules upon entering this contest.
Any questions about the above rules should be directed in an email to the contest owner. Questions posted within the forum will be considered off topic and deleted at the contest owner's discretion.
Entries not abiding by the posted rules will be disqualified at the contest owner's discretion. Entries may be resubmitted if done so in a way that is not disqualifying.
Making your rules as clear as possible will help your entrants understand what they need to do to prevent from being disqualified.
I hope that you found this helpful! Until next time, keep reading, writing, reviewing, and entering! |
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
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Wow! What a treat it was to see my "Invalid Item" listed in this newsletter! As with everything with that group, that auciton is very special to me!
You made many great points about auctions - thanks for that! 
-Tigger thinks of Prancer
You're welcome. And I'm glad that you found the auction piece to be informative!
Hey Mel!
I'd like to auction off "The Dialogue 500" Contest that you keep overlooking in your newsletter 
-billwilcox
Hey Bill! Thanks for the shameless plug. I'll be expecting my 500,000 GPs via email in the next 24 hours!
Mel, a lovely balanced view of auctions provided in your editorial. Good job!
-Puditat
Thanks, Puditat! I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
Very good informational piece on auctions. Thank you. It makes me wonder how anyone would have time for writing and reviewing while running an auction.
-Rixfarmgirl 
I've often wondered the same. While I've never run an auction, I do know that running one requires a lot of work and I admire anyone who can do so successfully!
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Contests & Activities: October 19, 2005 Issue [#670]
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