I just start this really cool Q&A community but I only have about 6 users. I just launched it a few days ago. I'm thinking that I could hold a contest which would get people buzzing. How would I go about getting a sponsor for the contest? Would I have to write a letter or email to the company I would like to get sponsoring from?
You could use DP on the buy,sell,trade forum to look for sponsors. But you'll have to specify how you're going to get the word out if your site has no traffic yet. This is important. I personnally sponsored a blog contest from someone here on DP, the contest is here ($200 prize, with 4 sponsors, each gave $50) and ends on 16th may, you could get some inspiration from the way the contest is organized and also write down the blogs of participants (in comments) who might be interested in participating in your own contest: http://bloggertricks.com/2009/04/bloggertrickscom-200-giveaway.html
Well contest and giveaways tend to catch more eyes. I think I have a nice site with cool features that people will like I just need something to draw them in.
I will provide you a prize. We have a wide range of software applications, I'm sure we can find something suitable. PM Me.
Contests and giveaways are a good idea, I do them all the time, but no one is going to sponsor them ie: give you prizes as part of a promotion, until you have a readership or traffic. My contests now are all sponsored, but in the beginning, I ran them out of my own pocket, which is what you will have to do...if you are not willing to spend your own money, they won't spend theirs either. It also depends on your niche, design of the site, and content..they have to like what you are doing to back you..everyone wants free stuff. Are you better than most ?
this is why I say to buy something out of pocket. most companies that would sponsor something do so because they either see it as marketing or can write it off for charity. you don't have enough traffic for a company to see your site as a good place to get lots of exposure, so it's not going to be seen as a good marketing tool. and I assume your site isn't a charity.
It would be almost impossible for people to sponsor a contest for a new site. Advertisers do not see a potential. Your best option is loook for contest held by popular bloggers and try to sponsor a part of the contest. You will gt valuable links and brand name. As I told, no traffic, no sponsors
I own a sports Website and I run contests all of the time. If I were you, I would build your site up before you ask for a sponsor to sponsor a contest. You could try and someone might help you out. As the posters have stated, you might just buy something out of your pocket. It doesn't have to be anything really expensive. Heck buy something and make it help you also, maybe something to help advertise your site...a bumper sticker, a coffee mug with your Website name on it...etc. When I first started running contest, I would offer bumper stickers with my Website name on it. The good thing about contests is that it is not always about the prizes you offer...it is a lot about ego and competition What I ended up doing was just posting a post on my Website message board. I ran a 2009 NCAA Mens Bracket Contest and posted a message if anybody wanted to help sponsor. I got an advertiser/sponsor and really made hima great deal and took care of him. One thing once you start generating interest from people that want to sponsor, make sure you take care of them and they will come back again. I like reading posts like this because it brings back a lot of memories. It is a true roller coaster What kind of Website do you own and what kind of contest is it?
Well it is a Q&A community site, have visitors but I need my visitors to sign up. And if I have a prize to giveaway from the most active user this can encourage users to sign up and try out all the cool features. My awstats shows me that there is 150 unique visitors. But I only have 4-5 signs up right now.
I having a contest of $50(that I'm going to put in) do you think that will get me any users to my Q&A website? Is anyone here interested in being a sponsor and want to join the contest? The link to the website is: chall eg ne-n-an swe rs.com <without the spaces
No one can tell you if a contest or promotion will work. It's more about the promoter (marketing) behind it, than than how much money you spend. Right now, I would be more concerned with generating traffic and readers so that people will know that you are even having a contest. I think it's a little soon, unless you are going to run it over a period of time to build up readership. I have had simple autographed CD giveaways that were successful in building Twitter followers, and ipod give aways that barely got me any RSS subscribers. It's more about how you market it, and who you market it to.