Do contests work well for marketing?

I'm curious as I am trying to start a new website... how well to contests work to build user driven sites. If you want to check out the site, it's http://www.vuit.us and there's a $100 prize to the person who uploads the most media this month. But I'm curious how you think this will work.

Thanks in advance!

 

For content I think it is a great idea. But for marketing, I'm not sure.

 

Well the thought behind it is, people will be driven to upload on the website, other people will hear about it and also upload, then people who are uploading, will also view the media on the site... Just my thoughts on it, I'm currently seeing if it works, I find the biggest problem is getting the word out... I've already posted on forums I'm active on, sent bulletins/comments on myspace, and posted digg articles. Any other suggestions?

 

For $100 prize, it is nice to win and if it goes higher plus extra benefit, it would attract more competitor. All the best luck for your contest.

 

I was thinking about raising it to $500 but I'm not sure. Or $300 for first, $150 for second, $50 for third.

 

Go for this one. I mean the 300, 150 and 50.

 

I'm sorry, criativebuit, but I'm afraid they don't work.

 

I agree with this. Not just only showing or letting visitor/readers know about the value of prize, at the same time, you also need to advertise or promote your contest via various ways, one of the way is, you can announce it here DP forums(which what u have done), and also in other forums, and blogs.

 

Contests are a magnet, it gives motives to visitors/members to stick around

 

This seems to be a great way to build site content, which is always useful, but I had a similar idea to actually drive traffic. I would offer two equal first prizes, one to the user who uploaded the most content, and one whose page received the most unique page views. This way, people would ask their friends and family to go to their article just to up page views. Although it might not be entirely targeted traffic, some people would stick around, take a look at the rest of the site, and overall page views for the site would go up.

Consider switching to a contest format like that if marketing, and not necessarily content, is your goal.

 

Well, it all depends on how easy it is to enter the contest, you know? But in my experience, it does work because it just helps give your visitors an extra incentive to subscribe, or be active to your site.

 

Depends on what your running, but for the most part I think there a great way.

 

Very interesting idea. But wouldnt there be some type of legal problem with that? Arent you now paying for media that belongs to someone else?

 

Why not consider a points system, that leads to a free membership on your site or exposure to their content, make your own currency, don't give away currency!

 

ya, contest help for marketing.. contest is best to attract more crowd..

 

Sooooo,what are all your url's, and where may we see your contests?

 

Contests are good for generating buzz, and sometimes generate a flurry of links. I wouldn't look for any miracles as far as long-term marketing though. They don't typically do much for your brand's story.

 

Please give us an update on how it goes

 

As pointed out earlier, contests are gr8 way of creating buzz. They will bring temporary traffic to your site but will do no good in building the brand.

 

So far it's going ok, but no dramatic increases have occurred. All you have to do is create an account on my website, Vuit.us if you're interested in competing. I have had a few new signups, no new uploads, and an increase in PV/UV. I decided to keep the contest at $100 right now, if the first month goes well, then I will raise the prize and keep it going in the following months.