This week: How to Create a Contest Edited by: Cinn  
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 I have always had a soft spot for newbies, which is why I created "The Newbie Research Center" , "Newbie Portfolio Project" , and "WDC Video Help Desk" . My goal has always been to learn what newbies find most helpful and/or encouraging, and then figure out ways to DO that.
Hopefully, this will be mutually beneficial. You can help me with my goal, and I can help you learn more about WDC. Win-win.
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 Today's Lesson
Recently, I looked over a newbie's contest only to discover that it was created in a Static Item. There is no way for people to enter or interact in a Static Item, which certainly would have drawn less attention. Potential participants would have scrolled down, seen no place to put any content, and left.
There are several item types that allow interaction, but by far the most common is the Message Forum. This requires a Basic paid membership, which costs $10 or about 100k gift points for 3 months. Not bad.
If you're short on cash, not to worry on the membership side of things. You can earn one yourself through reviewing (e.g. earn gift points to spend on a membership). If your account is over 1 month old, you can request one here: "Request An Upgrade From RAOK" . There are lots of ways to get one. Don't let that stop you.
 Message Forum
Step #1 is to create your Message Forum using the Create Item link in the left menu. The forum is where people will ask questions, donate, and/or enter the contest. If you visit nearly any contest on the site, you can see the item type at the top (beneath the author, beside the rating). In this way you can see how it will or should look to get the most engagement.
The body of the item (where it says "Your writing goes here...") is where you tell the author several key pieces of information:
1. A brief description of the contest. Poetry or stories? Is there a genre? Is there something special about it?
2. Rules: Rating limits, word limits, line counts, any banned subjects, type(s) of links you accept (I recommend item OR entry links)
3. Deadline for entry
4. Prizes
5. Donation info, if desired. It's common to provide a merit badge in return for donations of a certain amount. Totally optional.
Below the drop-down menus for genre, rating, etc., you will find "Forum Settings". Click that and you will see a box labeled "Direct GPs to Group ID". If you enter a group item ID in that box, all gift points sent through the forum posts will be sent to that group. This is how "Banks" work.
Group Item
Using a "Bank" helps you keep donations separate from your personal gift points. It requires an Upgraded membership (the level that RAOK gives). A bank is a Group type of item, but you don't need to add anyone to the group. You're the only one who needs to be there.
When you create the group, you only need one thing: Say in the body of the item something to the effect of "This banks holds funds for <Contest Title>." Fill out your title, genre, rating, whatever.. save it. Done.
Once it is saved, you can Edit your contest forum and put the item number in the "Direct GPs to Group ID" box.
I also recommend adding a link to the contest in the body of the bank item. "This bank holds funds for {item:######}". You can also include any donation info, such as whether you give merit badges for donating a certain amount.
Contest
Once your Message Forum and Group are saved and linked together through the "Direct GPs to Group ID" box, your contest is functional and ready to go! Contestants will add entries, ask questions, and donate through the forum posts. Gift points will go to your bank instead of your personal funds. And when it is time to give out prizes, you can choose to pay for badges or awardicons with funds from the bank. For gift point prizes, go to the bank and click on Group Tools > Give/Spend Gift Points. It's that easy.
When you're ready to open the contest, you might want to add it to the Contests page. Click Community in the left menu and select "Contests". Scroll to the bottom of the page. Read the rules, and then add your item number and brief description that meet those criteria. 
And one final recommendation: Send me a link to your contest! I'll give it a shout out in the next newsletter! 
Today's Newbies to Notice
MirandaCookies IS IN COLLEGE  has been on the site for only 3 days at the time of writing, and she has given 15 reviews and already has her portfolio organized into folders. All good signs. Show her some love!
Zen joined about a month ago. Not only does he review frequently, but they are in-depth reviews. Why not pop over and read the first chapter of his WIP.
niviradamus has been on WDC since early March and has given a whole slew of reviews, many of which are in-depth and thorough. It looks to me like Niv is looking for a review partner for a novel. For non-novel folks, you can read the short story instead!
Today's Poll
The Key Questions: How long have you been on WDC? What first draws your attention to a contest? What prizes most appeal to you?
Click the link below to answer.
You will receive 250 gift points for filling out the survey. Anonymous responses are allowed. Newbies Only, please.
If you have any questions at all on any topic, submit a comment in the box below or email me by clicking the mail icon: Cinn . Responses will be used when writing future newsletters.
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Some items that are helpful, interesting, fun, and/or run by fellow newbies:
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#2215401 by Not Available. |
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#2214351 by Not Available. |
Some newbies to read (and maybe review?  )
Poetry:
Fiction:
Nonfiction:
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This item number is not valid.
#2216530 by Not Available. |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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What sort of contests interest you?
How long after you joined WDC did you enter your first contest?
If you were to create a contest, what type would it be?
Is there any type of contest you'd love to see on WDC but haven't?
I want to know all about it!  I'll include all comments in the next newsletter unless you tell me otherwise.
Responses to "How to Get More Reviews" :
These are activities that any author can participate in. The more he participates in several activities the more he gets reviews of his work.
It is good to remind us as author about these different activities.
Thanks for sharing! ~ hbk16
Thanks for writing in! I've always found that to be true too. On a side note, I remember when you were a newbie. You've come a long way!  It's nice to see!
I just read the March 4th Noticing Newbies Newsletter and I think it provides some excellent information to newbies. I especially like the advice about finding other writers who write the same type of stories to request a review. Genres such as Fantasy and Sci-fi are items many people, like me for instance, have trouble reviewing those genres because it's not a genre I write.
I also think it was a good idea to list a few contests newbies might want to try. Entering contests is a great way to get exposure for your writing.
Well done, Cinn. ~ Bikerider 
Thanks for the encouragement, love! It means lots coming from you, my fellow newbie judge. I do believe that's where I first met you... reviewing the Newbies ONLY Poetry & Short Story contest. At any rate, there are so many people who love their genres that those who don't shouldn't feel obligated to read/review them. At least, that's how I justify never reviewing romance stories.  That's someone's jam... but not mine.
I have been here on WDC for a few years and I like it. I've learned so much about reviews and contests. I've made a few friends here as well and they are really cool  people. I have to start writing but I'm in several groups and I have to say, I do like it a lot. I'm on here because I want to learn more about writing. When I go to my port, I try to write something on my blog or write on the static form.
Honestly, I love being on here and I always check out the contests or the raffles which I like doing. My favorite part would be, post my poem on the contest page. It has been a positive experience for me so far plus I love the Merit Badges as well. ~ Beacon's Anchor 
Do you have a blog for poetry/story drafts yet? I've found over the years that I'm much more likely to jot something down each time I visit my port if I have a book to throw it in. It decreases the need for me to make it perfect before releasing it into the wild. Sounds to me like you're taking full advantage of WDC. Writing lessons, making friends, sharing poetry, collecting cute Merit Badges... all good reasons to stick around. Thanks so much for writing in, love!
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Noticing Newbies: April 01, 2020 Issue [#10093]
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