A contest for the most referrals is good, or perhaps actual content stuff that you could use in a blog to get traffic. You could set up a points system on the forum, which itself becomes a bit of a contest.
A point system is a very idea in forum promotion. You can also start a lucky draw with entry criteria being a certain number of points, the more the points, the more chances to win. You can give points for both referals and post and also for certain good post decided by the admin.
But why point system is so awesome. Isnt that the same like post count. I mean if i set up 1 post=5points for example. 100 posts=500points or whatever so whats the point of the point system if its same idea as post count
Just don't make points completely dependent on posts alone. You can add other creteria to get more points apart from the number of posts, like mods or members with certain amount of points will be able to give out points for good and acceptable post etc.
You don't have to install a points mod to track contest points. I held a points contest for my forums a couple months ago and did all of the calculation on my own. Users could get points for various activities such as posting, referrals, and articles...At the end of the month, any member who would like to be considered in the contest PM'ed me with what they believe their points total is...I only checked those who PM'ed me, this way I didn't have to calculate anybody and everybody. As far as how to calculate the points...what I did was take a backup before and after the contest...and you basically just see what was done during the contest (you can compare post counts and referrals to get totals) Anywho, just a thought on how this could be done
It takes no time...believe me...but if you want to install a large mod just for a contest, go for it.
its not for contest only, its for members motivation mostly- they post they get some points (or fake forum dollars for instance), they post some nice topic, they get points reward etc
You are exactly right That should not be just for contest alone. The main idea is to motivate your forum members to participate actively in different discussions and earn those points. More the points they earn, they not only get more chances to win forum contests based on points, but also become trusted and reliable member of the forum. That should be the theme
Well another forum I frequent uses points, but it also has a bank function where you can save them with interest daily, and there are varying amounts of points earned for viewing threads vs posting vs starting threads. I believe its vbBux or vbPlaza as the points mod.
You could chose a member of the month based in posts count and quality, and give him free ad space, domains, hosting, money or just a nice title, and rank image. You could chose a site of the month and requiere members to have a minimum posts count before they can participate. Referers contest is also a popular one
you can start a newsletter for your forum and hold contests like member of the month ,and other contests specific to your website like i own a forum releted to bollywood and entertainment and paparazzi so i hold contestslike hot pic of the week,guess the celeb ,hot capture of the motnth etc and reward the winner with a hefty rep points awrad from admin panel belive me its worka a lot those members who have never posted take part in contests