 Contests & Activities: March 07, 2018 Issue [#8792] |
  Contests & Activities
This week: How Many Entries Are Needed for a Prize? Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contest & Activity Newsletter by Dawn
Contests have a number of rules and requirements. For some, that includes a set number of entries before a prize will be rewarded. This newsletter looks at the option and reasoning for contests to have such a rule. |
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There are many challenges to running a contest. One of them is the mere struggle to get entries. Prizes are offered, prompts provided, deadlines get set yet nothing is a guarantee. Without entries, a contest can become an empty forum that provided a good idea maybe to spark something that never gets seen to fruition, at least not by the judge. While we all want entries, it can be a struggle at time to warrant a prize when barely anyone enters, so some judges and contest owners have added something to their rules. That is an entry minimum in order for prizes to be given out when a round ends.
There are a few reasons to include such in a contest. I can list mine as I am one such contest owner and judge. After years of running a weekly contest, I found some struggles where many weeks we didn't get many entries. Some times it was two or three while others, it was as low as one or even none. Due to these factors, I made the decision to include a requirement that there had to be a set number of entries for prizes to be given. A few reasons came into play with this decision.
I approached the issue in part as a contestant. Yes, I happen to own a contest with other judges so it's one I can still enter myself from time to time and even if I don't, I have my own opinion as someone who enters contest on here. For me, it isn't as satisfying to win an award like a ribbon, merit badge or even a high number of gift points when there wasn't much competition. Winning first out of two isn't as satisfying. And as the case has been on occasion, never was that great to be 3rd of three or be the only one of the two who didn't place because their were only two entries. Even getting 4th out of 4 has its rough moments, which is why I stagger the prizes so that there is never just 1 person not placing when it comes to final decisions.
There is also the issue of funding as a contest owner. For short term contests, this might not come up as much of an issue but when running one for years, one does have to think about the costs of consistently giving out prizes. While many people on the site are generous and help each other out, it still was a factor I took into consideration with having a weekly based contest. Prizes do have a cost and while we want to give out as many as possible because it's fun to reward people for their entries, it isn't always feasible. Having a limit helps in the long term sustainability of a contest.
Does that mean there is no reward to enter a contest that doesn't get many entries? Even if the big prizes aren't given, that doesn't mean you get nothing from entering. There is always the review. While I take a little time, even if there is but one entry for rounds I judge, I always give out reviews. And at random, I just might give out a little something from my own personal stash to show how much I appreciate someone taking the time to enter my contest. Plus, no matter what happens in the contest, if you enter then that means you wrote a story. For me, that is something.
In fact, there are many contests that could use some entries. The more of us that enter, then maybe even more prizes will be given out this month. And either way, we will have something to show for our efforts. So, let's get writing.
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What do you think of having a set number of entries for contests in order to give out prizes?
Back in December, I wrote a newsletter that discussed some reasons people might have to enter contests here on the site. Here are the two responses sent in over the topic:
Comment by Dan I Am 
What better way to practice various forms and genres that one might otherwise never try.
- Agreed. I own a contest now that when I first entered was a genre I had never considered writing. Seeing if I could opened up a whole different world of writing.
Comment by gingerlyme
I love the contests here for many of the reasons you described above. I particularly like the twenty four hour contests such as The Writer's Cramp and the Daily Flash Fiction Challenge because of the tight deadline.
I enter partly because there is no real penalty for submitting a story that didn't quite work out. Just write something short, toss it up there, and move on with life. Sometimes I even win!
In the interest of honesty, though, I should mention that I also use these as a diversion from whatever it is that I really ought to be working on. There are worse ways to procrastinate, right?
- Indeed, there are worse ways to procrastinate. I should be working on novels but am a little distracted with a couple of contests on here but either way, I'm writing.
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