I am re-blogging this post because I think it is excellent. I entered a contest and was confused the whole time while it was going on. In the end, I received 3,000 points and had written 3 Blogs that received the most views and clicks of any blogs I've ever written. So, I got to 'win-win' and was very appreciative. I just think the ideas expressed below would make it easier for both the particpants and the sponsors. Once again, thanks to those who think up and sponsor the contests.
Contests on ActiveRain! They are Fun, they are Creative, they are Inspiring, you may get Extra Points and can Win Prizes. But sometimes, there is Confusion. When does the Contest End? When do I get my Points? Who Won?
There is an ActiveRain Contests Group (you should join it). There are typically 3 or 4 Contests running at any given point in time.
Many of the Contests involve posting Photographs or Videos. Some want Inspirational or Motivational Stories or Experiences.
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Participants:
Read the Entire Contest Page BEFORE posting your Entry. Know the Rules.
When is the Deadline? If there is a time of day stated (for example, ends at 8:00PM), what Time Zone is that referring to?
What EXACTLY do you have to do, post, Blog, or achieve?
Is more than one Blog required of you (a current contest requires 9 Blogs over 3 months).
Where do you have to Post the Blog? Some Contests require that the Blog be posted on Facebook, or on Twitter, or on a specific ActiveRain Blog Page.
Remember, many Contests are "Volunteer Work" by your Fellow ActiveRainers. Please be patient; they are doing this in their off-time.
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Sponsors and Judges:
The Deadline should be prominently stated at the Top of the Contest Rules.
If the Deadline is extended or changed, can you please Update the Contest Blog, showing the new Deadline, prominently at the Top?
When the Contest Ends, can you Update the Contest Blog and Clearly State that "The Contest has Ended as of This Time This Date", at the Top of the Contest Page? We have seen many instances where people keep posting to a Contest, days after it is over.
When the Deadline passes, can you Update the Blog with a Statement that "The Judges are Reviewing the Entries; a Decision should be reached by This Date, and Points and Prizes will be Awarded at that time".
Keep the Link to the Contest posted Prominently near the Top of the Contest Group Page, until all Points and Prizes have been awarded, and the Contest is completely over.
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In Conclusion:
I entered a Contest weeks ago. I never got the Points, I have no idea who Won the Contest. The Link is gone from the Contest Page, and I have to do a search to find it. I entered one of the Video Contests, same story. Maybe one day the Points will magically appear on my Page.
The suggestions that I have listed above would take away some of the mystery and confusion surrounding Contests.
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Thanks to the Sponsors, to the Volunteers, to the Judges, to Kerrie, and to the other AR Staffers!
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Fred Griffin, Social Media Consultant and Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
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David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner
Long Island Village Properties
NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371
David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers
167 Mineola Boulevard
Mineola, New York 11501
p. (516) 741-7350
c. (516) 987-3329
e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com
David, thanks for Re-Blogging!