10 Tips on How To Start Your Own Blog Contest

August 5, 2007 · Filed Under Infotech, Blogging, Contests, Musings 

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

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Comments

34 Responses to “10 Tips on How To Start Your Own Blog Contest”

  1. 10 Tips on How To Start Your Own Blog Contest - PinoyBlogoSphere.com | Pinoy Bloggers Society (PBS) on August 5th, 2007 9:29 pm

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  4. kidglove on August 6th, 2007 3:02 pm

    Good tips! I’m sure everybody in the blogosphere will study your tips to come up with a good blogging contest.

  5. GM T on August 6th, 2007 3:49 pm

    Thanks. Much appreciated. Thanks for the kind words and for dropping by

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  10. uylog on August 8th, 2007 11:08 pm

    thanks for this useful article.

  11. redwall_hp on August 9th, 2007 12:00 am

    Looking for good, but cheap, prizes to offer? How about refurbished iPods? Apple sells refurbs (though the link is buried on their site). The iPod Shuffle is $50 refurbished and the 2GB Nano is $100.

  12. boogiemum on August 9th, 2007 10:36 pm

    Thanks this is a timely post as I was getting ready to open a contest today. I will be using your advice!

  13. redwall_hp on August 9th, 2007 10:43 pm

    No problem.

  14. Michael from Pro Blog Design on August 10th, 2007 7:54 am

    Good post - What wold you usually offer as prizes though? Something unique to your site (Like the betas you mentioned) or something that might just interest your readers? (Books, games etc.)

    Michael

  15. GM T on August 10th, 2007 12:59 pm

    Yes. I usually offer beta accounts. Occasionally, gadgets or stuff appealing to gamers would be good such as original software or even game-related merchandise such as shirts, toys or jackets.

    Thanks fro dropping by

  16. Michael from Pro Blog Design on August 11th, 2007 5:15 am

    Thanks for the reply. :)

  17. GM T on August 11th, 2007 2:39 pm

    You’re welcome. Happy you dropped by

  18. How to Make a Better Post | gmtristan.com on August 12th, 2007 5:25 pm

    […] week, I tackled some tips on how to organize your blog contests. This week, I wanted to write a short article on how to make a good […]

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  24. markofando on October 3rd, 2007 1:02 am

    Want to start your private office arms race right now?

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  25. HopsOccusense on October 5th, 2007 11:10 am

    I’ve got an Amazon gift certificate burning holes in my pocket,
    and I want to get the most bang for my buck.

    Enter the Secret Amazon Web Pages:

    http://tinyurl.com/38sojf

    This is where you’re going to find the “latest sales, rebates, and limited-time offers” from
    Amazon, and you can score some pretty deep discounts if you’re a savvy shopper.

    Next, there’s the special Sale link. This is open every Friday, and ONLY on Fridays.

    You can find the same good discounts here as you would in hidden Deals, although some
    Fridays you can really get lucky and make off like an Amazon bandit - I’ve seen discounts
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  26. Blogadeur on October 8th, 2007 5:40 pm

    I wish I can start a blog contest but I’m just wondering what kind of prize that suits my blog.

    Any input is appreciated.

    thanks,,,,

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  28. Mary Prize on December 15th, 2007 3:04 pm

    Anybody that does decide to take your advice is welcome to promote their contest on my blog, www.prizeisright.b-logging.com . The blog lists the very best prizes, contests, awards and more; and it is absolutely free to post your contest.

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  31. Kathy on June 21st, 2008 1:08 pm

    Wonderful pages! Keep up the grat work.o

  32. nepspeed82 on July 8th, 2008 9:42 pm

    I’m planning to setup a contest in the near future. Thanks for the tips. ^__^

  33. 31 Days to Building a Better Blog « Sztuka Spekulacji on August 6th, 2008 3:06 am

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