Contests are cool and netizens are eager to join them.

Top bloggers like John Chow practically broke barriers with it (with his “evil” blog contests) and raised to the top of the Technorati charts (creating some issues with Google and adsense though).

That aside, there’s just something irresistible with FREE stuff on the Internet. Starting an online blog contest with the right attitude (and steps) will mean rewards for your blog.

Below are some tips to help you organize a successful blog contest (after the jump).

10 TIPS ON STARTING YOUR OWN BLOG CONTEST 

1. Open the contest to bloggers only. The “link loving” and the pollination of your links will only happen if bloggers are your main target
2. Identify what parameters are for joining. The most common ones are a link back to your post and offering a way for others to know that you have a contest and/or giving away free stuff.
3. Give out something valuable. At the same, targeting your niche. In gmtristan.com, I try to give out stuff that the gamers would want such as free Open Beta Accounts or videogame guidebooks like the Ragnarok Ultimate Game Guide.
4. Write your mechanics clearly. Enumerate them and spell out the parameters to be qualified in the draw.
5. Set out the conditions for winning. If it’s just a random draw, tell your readers. If it’s something subjective (like having a “themed post” or judging the most creative writers) then inform your participants so they know what to expect.
6. Post a nice photo of your prize. Hopefully, with the specs and its current market value (and convert it to USD). Not everyone will be familiar with your national currency.
7. Generate at least 30 days for the link to proliferate. That means the contest must run for at least a month.
8. Have a system so that you will be informed of entries. A simple email to you will do.
9. Give back to the link love. Try to make a weekly “summary” of the entries. Make an effort to link back to them and show them that you care.
10. Mail the prize ASAP and tell everyone who won by writing a special post. (and then thank all who joined)

I hope that these tips help you out. Do tell me if you’re making your own blog contest. Who knows? I might join and hopefully, with a bit of luck, I might win.

PLUG: This post is an official entry to Darren Rowse’s 31 Days to Building a Better Blog group writing project.

GM Tristan (Mon Macutay)
www.gmtristan.com