After an extended search in the forum, I haven't find anything good about this topic, so I thought to start one. Well everybody knows that a contest can bring lots of traffic and conversions to a web site, especially for forums. The thing that I would like to discuss, is how do you promote the contest? I have just started a design contest, and I wonder how I can use it the best way to bring more traffic to my site. I have searched Google for keywords like "submit contest" and found some sites to submit my site. I will add those later to the thread (when I get some traffic and know that it worths to submit) Any feedback will be appreciated
I'm wondering who is actually surfing the contest sites other than people submitting their contests... if you can catch the attention of bloggers then you might have a chance. Research the popular ones in your market and make a list of their contact info. Many bloggers don't put it up there, so you'll have to do some digging. Use a spreadsheet to manage your contacts with them. Out of curiosity, what is your contest?
My contest is about logo design and has a money reward ($100) It had a success untill now, but I would like to get the best from it so that's why I am looking for other ways to promote it.
As you said yourself a contest may be successful for forums namely, so, probably, first you need to make one with some traffic and then introduce your contests. Then word of mouth may help you to promote it.
Yes I know that. And believe me you don't need so many members if your contest is a good one. I have only 250 members, and it worked good so far. I am just looking for 'ouside of my site' ways to promote it more.
These very 250 members should involuntarily promote your contest themselves recommending it to friends. I hope this will be namely so. You know, I doubt that press release or articles may essencially help in this case. I think that affiliate problems may be of help.
Why not promote with colleges? I'm sure some talented web-design students would jump at the chance for some cash You could promote free in campus newsletters and community sites, contact their instructors, etc. You could also post on techvibes.com's bulletin board...lots of web-types there
On my Mustang website, we started a contest and it improved registration and posting by more than 200%! Certain members get nominated for our featured ride of the month award. We post the top 3 in a thread for our users to vote on. The 3 that get selected usually post the URL to the thread in dozens of popular forums so the users of those forums would come to vote for them at our site. Doesn't cost me a penny, yet still extremely effective!