Feb 04
I Need Some Contest Help!
One of the great things about having a site like this is when you’re in unchartered waters, you can throw yourself upon the helpfulness of your community!
If you couldn’t tell, I need some contest help from all of you out there in blog land… This site is coming up on its 1 year anniversary next week and to celebrate, I’m definitely having a contest. (wahoo!)
The problem is, I’ve never really run a contest before.
How Do You Go About Marketing a Contest?
So the first thing I really need help with is how to market this bad boy. Obviously when you have a contest, one of the big things you try and do is bring in new readers. And common sense says that if potential new readers don’t know about your contest, they’re not going to become new readers because they’ll never find your site.
Now I already know that one of the contest conditions is – “If you blog about the contest I’m going to give you better odds to win it”, but I need to know of places that specifically promote blog contests that I can get my little site onto. I could search into this info myself, but why waste the time when I’m sure SOMEONE out there has already talked about it on their site ad nauseum. (So especially if you have a post about it, please feel free to throw in the link on your comment).
What Do You Kids Like Nowadays?
By far this is more interesting part of my plea, but I’m asking you guys for some ideas as what you’d like to win! I already have in my head a few things that I think would make great prizes, but I know you can probably offer up some stuff that I haven’t thought of yet. And while there’s no guarantees that I’ll follow your suggestions (especially if it’s way expensive) – I’ll at least ENTERTAIN the thoughts. (#):)
Thanks everyone!
Oh, and I updated the blog earnings report with more ppl’s figures – So make sure you check it out!
February 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hey buddy! One thing you can do is submit your contest to the many different contest blogs like Contest Beat, ContestU and My Blog Contest. Those will bring you some extra entries
February 4th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I was just going to suggest the same as Mike did above. A lot of bloggers and blog readers enjoy contests and visit those sites regularly. I am just starting to do so myself.
For prizes – hmmm. I won a contest that gave away $10 and $20 gift certificates at Amazon. I only got the $10 but hey I was as happy as could be! I used it to buy something I had been saving for! Anyway, just an idea. I’ve also won a prize for a custom blog header to be made for me. If you could provide that kind of service or something similar you could offer that. Hope that helps. Either way, I’ll be here for the contest!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Hi Buddy, also submit it to ContestBlogger.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
@Mike – Now THAT is the kind of information I need! Thanks Mike!
@Teeni – You know, I had never considered that prizes of that amount would be worthwhile, but after I dismissed it and then read your comment, I was turned onto the idea so thanks! I may end up going that way but I’m not sure yet. (#):)
@Madhur – I will. Thanks for the reminder. (#):) Any thoughts on the contest prizes?
February 5th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Will the contest be available to folks outside the US Bush? If so I think either a luxury yacht or a Ferrari would be a nice prize. No?
I would say Teeni has the right idea, gift certificates are always good.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:23 am
@Pete – Absolutely it will! And thanks for the input. (minus the yacht and Ferrari of course). (#);)
February 6th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Bush, I always submit my contests to various contest sites. I have a list of the ones I use on my Recommended Sites page. Those are the ones I’ve found to be most helpful for bringing traffic in.
Good luck!
February 6th, 2008 at 8:06 am
@Tish – OOoooo! You have a bunch of good ones there! Thanks for letting me know!
February 6th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
This is very timely for me, Bush, as I’ve been pondering the same question. Tish does have a good list to choose from.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:14 am
@Mark – Absolutely. And if you find any super good ones in your travels, I hope you’ll clue me in. (#):)