Contests & Activities: June 04, 2008 Issue [#2431]
<< May 28, 2008Contests & Activities Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueJune 18, 2008 >>

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Contests & Activities


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  Edited by: Tigger thinks of Prancer Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Contests and activities are all over Writing.Com.

Whether you use them for fundraisers, a break from writing, writing challenges, socialization, other reasons, or a combination of the above, this newsletter is for you.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B01DSJSURY
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Letter from the editor

It's All About Timing!


There are many factors to plan when hosting or posting anything on Writing.Com, from figuring out what to post and where to put it (for any items, even static items)... to how many gift points to award or charge. And, for every item, timing also plays a roll. (It plays a much smaller roll in static items than more interactive things, but still can have some impact.) Being the Contests and Activities newsletter, though, I'll focus on that realm of items from now on.

How long should it run?
Whether you're seeking donations for an auction, hosting a novel-writing contest, starting up a creative campfire and looking for participants, or anything else requiring others to join in, you need to make sure the amount of work required to participate can be completed in the time frame you have set.
While one day can be enough time to write a 40-line poem (as in "The Writer's CrampOpen in new Window. [13+]), it wouldn't necessarily be enough time to gather donations for a new auction.
On the flip side, providing too much time can cause people to just put it off... and maybe never get to them. (Who wants to wait nine months to see the outcome of a raffle that needed to be paid for up front??)

When should it start (or end)?
Look around the site to see what other contests and activities are being hosted. Some times of the year have more going on around here... and so it might cause your item to get lost in the shuffle if you're not careful.
Also consider the days of the week. For an auction, you probably want to choose and ending day where most people are actually available to stop by. This seems to be weekdays instead of weekends. As a bidder, it tends to really stink to miss out on the last-minute bidding war because I was asleep or at work or school.

When should I advertise?
This can depend on the size of your event. I've seen large events advertised for months before they began to build them up and get people interested. But, I've also seen very successful events advertised most strongly after they were running for a while.
Sponsoring an item on BidClick can get expensive (or can stay relatively cheap, depending on how you use it and how much exposure you get out of it.) So, you probably would want to save that for when you want people to stop by the most.
With free avenues: "Writing Contests @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window. [E], "Activities @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window. [E], or "The MarketplaceOpen in new Window. [13+], or using your handle, bioblock, signature, or billboard, you can be much less selective in timings.

*Right*If you have any other suggestions or questions on this topic (or others), feel free to send them in.


Editor's Picks

All links have been found through the official plug pages: "Writing Contests @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window. [E], "Activities @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window. [E], and "The MarketplaceOpen in new Window. [13+]

Bring Home Bacon With The Beans (closed) Open in new Window. [13+]
A reviewing contest that is closed for the summer. See you next Fall!
by Daizy May Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 The Blazing Cauldron Open in new Window. [18+]
It's all about the Olympics here!
by Elisa: Snowman Stik Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

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

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer

Responses to "Contests & Activities Newsletter (May 7, 2008)Open in new Window.:
Nobody wrote in or entered the contest I posted in last month's newsletter.


Questions? Comments? Praise? Suggestions?:
I always love to hear what my readers have to say in response to my newsletters, so write in. *Smile*
Or, if you have any suggestions for future issues, feel free to post that as well.


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B083RZ37SZ
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.

Removal Instructions

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