Contests

[taiarain]

Who has run one? Do you have any sage advice? Part of my marketing blast is going to involve 3-4 contests.

[SeeMe]

I haven't ever run one for my business, but I have had to run one once at work and more than once for charities (raffles). The best advice I can give is to make sure that your contest rules are VERY clear, and that they are legal. State your exclusions and your number of entry times at the very beginning of your rules document, and highlight it on your entry form.

[taiarain]

I'm thinking of simple e-mail entry with an agreement that your address will be retained for marketing purposes, etc.

I'm still considering the specifics for the rules.

[nangel78]

I have not ran a contest. I have entered some and won, but never ran one. It sounds like it would be interesting.

[UK Contract Centre]

What sort of contest are you thinking of and what prizes?

[taiarain]

My business is a copywriting firm so I'm planning on running contests for free work. I'm thinking of running for various types of copywriting, like one for a personal type of writing, one for small business, etc.

[nangel78]

That sounds like an interesting idea. It might be a good way for someone to add information and experience to their resume.

[taiarain]

I'm actually kind of hoping to generate interest. There can only be one winner, right? But there can be a bunch of consolation prizes of gift certificates or discounts. Meanwhile, the contest itself will be attracting people to my site and causing them to submit their information to my marketing database. I'm hoping I'll get some sort of viral response from it.