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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9552-Reviewing-Contests--Activities.html
Contests & Activities: May 15, 2019 Issue [#9552]




 This week: Reviewing Contests & Activities
  Edited by: Leger~ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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 highlight some of the current contests and activities on the site, help educate members on how to host contests and activities, and provide clues to submit quality entries to contests. Write to me if you'd like something in particular covered.

This week's Contests and Activities Editor
Leger~ Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07B63CTKX
Amazon's Price: $ 6.99


Letter from the editor


Reviewing a Contest or Activity


We all search the "Writing Contests @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window. listing for prompts or activities that interest us. We scroll over the listing and click on a few that interest us. Have you ever clicked on one and then closed it because the rules were too confusing? Or clicked off of it because you didn't understand the prompt? Did you ever contact that contest/activity owner and tell them?

We all like to be active on the site and at the same time, there are members trying to be active but are struggling to get contestants or participants. Perhaps they're not aware their contest is confusing, or their activity lacks the spark that makes people want to join in the fun. How can you help them? Review their contest or activity. This takes just as much effort as reviewing a static item; you need to take the time to help with spelling, grammar and punctuation. Beyond that, you also need to give suggestions on how to improve the contest or activity. Is the deadline too short or quick? Does the judge take too long to announce the winners? (I'm of the opinion it should never take longer than a week from closing.) Are some of the rules confusing? Is the drawing date/time not listed?

To be a good contest/activity reviewer, you should be able to examine the item without trying to change the basic structure of that item. In other words, if the theme is about snowy castles, don't try to make it a beach activity. Try to add suggestions to continue the theme or help find ways to make the contest/activity more fun. On top of this, keep in mind your review will go on the reviewers page. This helps promote the item, but as a word of warning, don't turn your review into a roadside carnival barker - just mention the good and the bad and let members click and view. If the activity seems to need a LOT of help, send the review privately and hope the member receives the advice and makes good changes.

And to be really nice, if you find a contest or activity that is well organized and looks fun, review it and then sponsor a bid click ad to help promote it. Often, newbie members use all of their gift points for prizes and don't have a deep enough pocket to promote their cool contest. Give them a hand and sponsor! This is something that only takes a moment if you're short on time, but really helps a new contest or activity. I remember someone sponsored one of my first efforts and I was so thrilled to see it advertised in the Sponsored areas. I really felt like I belonged to the community. I never found out who it was, because bid click is done within each member's account, but I always remembered the kindness.

And perhaps, after reviewing and sponsoring, you'll find the time to enter! There's nothing more exciting than seeing lots of new friends joining in the fun on your page.


This month's question: Are you ready for a challenge???
Review any current contest or activity and email the review link to me and I will reward your review!
I'll also link some of the best reviews in my next Contest / Activity newsletter.



Editor's Picks


FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: This forum is designed to get your creative juices flowing. 10,000 gps will be given away every 24 hours!

SURVEY
What a Character! : Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Create a memorable character using the given prompt for huge prizes!
#1679316 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

Character Prompt for May 2019: It's the last day of your character's old life. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new one. How does your character spend the final 24 hours of the only life they've known up until now?

 
STATIC
Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. (E)
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
#1908150 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

Authors on Writing.Com are looking for good, useful feedback... and of course, exposure within Writing.Com. You can do a good deed by reviewing any qualifying item* on Writing.Com and you might win! Enter as many times as you want to increase your odds of being selected as a prize winner!

FORUM
Show, Don't Tell Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Show Don't Tell Contest Message Forum
#2162666 by Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈 Author IconMail Icon

May, 2019 prompt
*Bulletb* When Roscoe comes home from work, the house is a disgusting mess.
*Bulletb* His wife, Ruby, is angry when he notices the mess.
*Bulletb* Ruby watches TV instead of fixing dinner.
*Bulletb* Roscoe orders take-out and cleans up the mess.


FORUM
Word Pictures Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
Share your lyrical worlds here and receive a review just for entering!
#2149424 by Ray Scrivener Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: This contest is here to channel your inner poets, so don't be timid and let the words flow through you!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2176101 by Not Available.

Excerpt: Currently, winners will receive the GIF Me a Story Trinket. If we get GP donations, prizes may increase!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2154434 by Not Available.

Excerpt: Here, you can share recipes, find new ones, and learn about foods from other cultures.


 
IN & OUT
The Angel Wish List Open in new Window. (E)
Post a Wish. Grant a Wish.
#1030437 by Amyaurora Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: There is a lot of wishing on this site and this is one of the best place to voice your wishes. Just post your desire (Writing.com items only please) and wait (crossing fingers) that an Writing.com Angel grants it. Submissions are not anonymous and the post does allow WritingML.

FORUM
Request An Upgrade From RAOK Open in new Window. (E)
Where you can request an upgrade from RAOK.
#787735 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

If you'd like to help other members or need help with your upgrade and have done some reviews recently, visit this page.


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

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!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: 197380364X
Amazon's Price: $ 15.99


Ask & Answer

This month's question: Are you ready for a challenge???
Review any current contest or activity and email the review link to me and I will reward your review!
I'll also link some of the best reviews in my next Contest / Activity newsletter.


Last month's question: How do you handle drama / a complainer?


Osirantinous Author Icon replied: Good advice and reminders to everyone, Leger! I remember being involved in a bit of drama in a contest just after I joined; it was all about the interpretation of the rules, so I've learned to be very crystal clear and to the point on those in the contests I run. As for promoting them, I'm pretty slack. I tend to post once or twice on the newsfeed only. But I've also got this feeling that I don't want to spam the newsfeed - I do feel bugged when I see contests or raffles mentioned over and over and over again. Anyway, I probably need to do the same; that'd help me stop sighing that I get no entries. Ah, rock and a hard place. How comfortable!!!

Sally Author Icon responds: I promote my contests on each of their respective pages, on the newsfeed, at the Contest Central Station, on mail outs, and often friends here will highlight my contests on one of their contest pages and I reciprocate. *Smile*

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
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Word from our sponsor
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