You should always read the Rules when you sign up. You must have been a member for 14 days, not have an overall red reputation and have 25 total posts to post in the Buy, Sell or Trade (Designing Comes in This) forum (which includes link exchanges) or the Politics & Religion forum. It can take up to an hour for your new permissions to be active. Hope you understand it.
Okay, I agree that there should be a time span and a minimum post count or certain forums. I also, don't post tripe to get to that level. Initially I had read the rules page on the forum but I didnt realize the contest forum was in the buy sell trade section Thanks guys!