I want to begin a contest for a banner/header but I was wondering, if the designs are submitted & I don't like any of them would I still have to pick a winner and a pay? I'm not doubting the quality of anybodies work but I dont want to just purchase a banner/header just because I started a contest. I ask because I do not want to pick up an infraction or possibly be faced with being banned. Plus, I do not want to lead anybody on! Thanks : )
Wouldn't really be a contest if you aren't going to pay of it's not good enough. Never heard of a "contest" like that before. Sounds like you are looking for design services, not a contest.
I guess I'm torn because I dont really know what I want & it seems like a contest would give me the opportunity to view & pick from various designs/deisngers as everyone has a unique style. Yet, at the same time I'm fearing having to pick from only 2 or 3 submits (of course I should be a bit more optimistic). I guess its something that I need to think about before I proceed. Maybe longer contest duration time with an appealing insentive. anyhow, I appreciate you clearing it up! PS Sorry about posting in the wrong section. I wasn't sure where it really belonged.
People usually just go "I will not be entitled to pick a winner if I do not see a winning design." Just include that on your thread's very first post (kind of like a disclaimer), & you'll be in the clear. No one will be forcing you to choose a winner & pay up by the end of the contest.
I've only used the contests forum once to run my own competition, although I would thoroughly recommend it to others. If you're not sure what you want, post as much information as you can and a few people will post their concept designs. Normally designers are more than happy to make any changes you ask for (so long as they're reasonable). As for your other concern regarding only having 2 or 3 to pick from...I honestly wouldn't worry about that. DP has hundreds of skilled Graphic Designers and Coders, if the price is right you're almost guaranteed to get at least 2 pages worth of submissions. Besides, like Love* said: if you post soemthing along the lines of "I won't choose a winner if the designs aren't good enough" you've got nothing to lose. If you are running a contest though, do everyone a favour and let them know when you'll choose a winner, and then actually do it. Having entered a few contests myself I know the frustrations associated with checking a thread over and over, waiting for feedback - it just gives the entrants reassurance they haven't wasted their time .