Article - Basic rules for running a contest

rockinaway Guest

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#1

I have been doing a lot of articles for my forum recently, and I have decided to share another here. Since I got warnings for posting the links, here is the article itself:

A tactic often used by forum administrators, in order to increase traffic and activity at their forum, is through contests. We often see forums holding contests with certain incentives, and it is spoke about a lot to hold a contest. However there are some basic things you must remember when holding a contest. I will mention some of them below.

1) Prizes

Yes the most obvious one, or is it. You may think any prize is good for your members, but be realistic, what would appeal more to a Sports Community? A cricket set or a gardening one? Yes, slightly extreme, but I hope you get the point I wish to make. Your prize is more likely to be appealing if it has something to do with the niche of your forum i.e. something your members would actually want.

Oh yeah, make sure you actually give prizes to a real member. Donâ€™t go making a fake account and then saying they won so that you donâ€™t have to give any prizes out. The members expect real prizes to valid members

2) Uncomplicated

The last thing you want is a complicated contest that you canâ€™t track. Donâ€™t have too many targets in the contest â€“ keep it simple! For example, just have â€˜The user who gets the most referrals from xx to yyâ€™. It is one thing getting the members to follow it properly, but you must also be able to track it. Donâ€™t set a contest that you canâ€™t track yourself!

3) Rules

The rules you make must also be clear, and strict. You must monitor the participants very closely and check they have followed the rules. There shouldnâ€™t be any bending of rules, or rules made up as you go along â€“ it doesnâ€™t look good for you as an administrator. Before you start the contest, make sure you have anything clearly planned and set out so that it is just a simple step-by-step task. Also make sure you have the dates/times set out and abided to, no changing them!

4) Stick to your word

What ever you say, you must stick to it. You canâ€™t favour someone, of extend the end date for a special member. You canâ€™t bend the rules if a certain loyal member breaks them. If you do start changing what you said, the other members wonâ€™t be very happy with your form of conducting a simple contest and your reputation could sink.

Those are basic rules, but there are many smaller ones to place in between. Mainly, you should aim to running a simple and correctly-abided-to contest for the best results. Anything beyond this can and probably will lead to problems and probably wonâ€™t help you in the traffic front.
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Any feedback is appreciated

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rockinaway, May 7, 2008 IP

gitarwmn Peon

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#2

When holding a contest online what state, local and federal laws need to be addressed? Does the web site need to adhere to the laws of just the state where they do business or all fifty states?

gitarwmn, Mar 9, 2010 Set Best Answer IP

Nuno Brito Active Member

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#3

I never did any contest with success.

Once, I sent away 15 tshirts to people scattered around the world that where helping out a lot. It was worth each cent of money invested.

Nuno Brito, Mar 9, 2010 Set Best Answer IP

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Article - Basic rules for running a contest

rockinaway Guest

gitarwmn Peon

Nuno Brito Active Member

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