How to pay for contest prizes?

I would like to hold contests on my forum, but currently do not have the funds to offer much of anything prize wise., so I’m wondering what it takes to get other people to front the prizes in exchange for free advertising and promotion?

I’m specifically concerned with holding contests within my niche (occult / pagan / magick) but I guess that suggestions in general or in other niches would be good.

Failing a swap of prizes for promotion what other methods are there for generating prize money?
Q

 

If you are really serious about getting your site popular either use your own money to start.. or use your residual income you earn from this site (ie. adsense), and put it back in your business through these prices.

 

If you failed a few times (or ten times) to swap prizes for promotion, then raise bets: try giving more (such as links - anything that might be of interest for the other party) in exchange.

Keep asking people: somebody might be interested.

Other way: work some hours/days at a hamburger store to get the money.

Ask friends to give free stuff.

Don't give up.

 

Maybe you can promote the winners home page on your forum for like a week, after the contest winner is decided. You can also make a page for competitions on the forum and give details of previous contest winners there, along with a link to their website, and let it be there for ever maybe.

 

That could work - if the competition is targeted to people who want to get their home pages promoted...

 

Hi
Just an idea but there are lots of pagan/wiccan artists, crafters and musicians out there who could possibly use a bit of exposure. Perhaps they have something they would donate to you in return for a good plug? Independant musicians might be forthcoming if you offer to put some clips of their music on your site to promote an album (but ask first).
Also maybe it's worth approaching some of the magazines to win say a years subscription to something like Pagan Dawn or Sacred Hoop or Pentacle (I don't know where you are from but those are some main mags in the UK)? What about approaching the main publishers like Llewellyn and see if they have any books in stock that they want to promote? It might be worth trying some of the smaller publishers too.
With anyone you apply to give them a breakdown of stats for your site, what you can offer them, what type of members you have (age range, interests, etc) and how many visitors.
I'm sure in this area you would be able to find something.
Lastly you could try those that give readings - tarot, astrology, runes etc who have been recommended to you and ask if they would consider doing a reading for someone as a prize - again in return for exposure.
Hope that's helpful for you.

Lily