Need a good idea for a contest

Hey,

I run a gadget blog. Now I don't have the prize yet. But no contest equals no prize.

I don't have too many returning visitors (which is another issue). I need an idea that is gonna keep but I just can't think of anything

1) Leave a comment and your entered (an opt-in; opt-out thing)

2)Sign up to the newsletter (again an opt-in; opt-out thing)

What has worked for you? I have noticed that people have clicked on the contest link (nothing there just "no contest live") so there should be some interest.

Skinny

 

well.. I think you should regularly update the site....
and the newsletter thing have worked for me ... send some really intresting information by the newsletter and make sure that you give some break before sending another (mostly a week) so that the users dont get anoyed..

 

The content is regularly updated. I just want something interesting but a little more permanent. I just can't seem to think of it yet.

Skinny

 

Well in addition to your blog you may want to add a weekly discussion chat or a forums page perhaps a link directory of gadgets? Millions of people blog but about 95% of them are never read on a regular basis.

Blogging has never been a great source of income or traffic however popular it may seem to be.

As far as contests. Get something new thats in the electronic world. Such as mp3 players or get gift cards or something. If you do this on a monthly basis im sure it may help slightly with traffic.

 

Y'know, sometimes the answer stares you right in the face and it only takes someone to say, "Why don't you ..."

So here it is:
Go to this url and get in touch with the company and ask them to sponsor you for a trial period of 3 / 6 months. They get some premium space on your site for the agreed time period and you get to give away one of their credit-card-sized flash drives every month, if the user signs up for your free newsletter. Everybody is a winner!

Then you plug the competition in the freebie competition sites and enjoy the additional traffic.

PS - Feel free to send me one for the idea

 

That's nice! Where'd you get that from googling or word of mouth?

 

Do you mean me?
In case you did, I got the product from the first page of gazotto.com, Skinny's gadget blog.

 

That is interesting mcfox. So you are saying that i would be giving them some adspace right?

Skinny

 

Correct. They get a few months worth of free ad space from you and they give you a few flash-cards to give away for free in a competition.