Contests & Activities: March 21, 2012 Issue [#4943]
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Contests & Activities


 This week: You Get What You Give
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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

header for my C&A Newsletters
Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B000FC0SIM
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor

You get what you give


Reading through feedback on my last newsletter (which talked about attracting people to your contests & activities), an idea struck me. Thundersbeard 30DBC JULY HOST Author Icon wrote:

I use the contest entry form on the hub, I use the sponsored items bidclick system and I try and enter as many community activities I can to spread the word. My contest is always linked to in my sig.
I also like to personally invite writers I like. I usually include the invite with a review, so they get double their bucks: review and an invite based on merit.



What stood out to me is that this member works on being an active member of our online community to reap the rewards of being noticed.

I see a lot of members asking, "How can I get members to read my writing?" and "How can I get more people to participate in my activity?"

I can tell you from my years of experience here that PARTICIPATION is the best way to get yourself noticed! If you click on "Authors" on the left of the screen, you get a list of over 77,000 authors on this site! Now, not all of them are active, but there is definitely a huge number of active members on this site. How can you get noticed among the thousands upon thousands of other members?

The answer, again, is participation! In almost any online community, you get what you give. If you take part in other contests and activities, plus Reviewing (which is probably the most beneficial activity on this site), you will receive attention in return.


Here are some tips on participation and interaction within our Writing.Com community:


*Idea* Review, Review, Review! - I don't think I can ever say enough how much I love reviewing on this site and how beneficial it can be! Reviewing improves your own writing, as well as giving tips to another writer! Plus, there are all those extra gift points you can rack up! Many members will give reciprocal reviews after receiving one, too! One of the best ways to get noticed is to be on the Active and Credited Reviewer lists!


*Idea* Be friendly - Remember, we're all real people with real feelings. I've seen it often - it can be easy to feel detached in an online community and it can be easy to forget your manners from time to time. *Blush* Think about what you're typing, as emotions can be difficult to convey in typed words. For instance, reviews can be a touchy area. While it can definitely benefit a writer to hear honest critique, there's no reason to be mean or rude. In fact, that kind of attitude can get you thrown out of a website!


*Idea* Be patient - It may take some time to get noticed, but you'll find that the effort is worth it! Along the way, you'll learn a great deal! In my nearly 8 years on this site, I have learned a great deal about writing and online communities!


*Idea* Take advantage - I don't mean abuse here, but use the advantages set up on the site to promote yourself, your writing and your contests & activities. Use the plug pages, like "Activities @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window., "Writing Contests @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window., "The Shameless "Plug" PageOpen in new Window. and "Please ReviewOpen in new Window.. Add links to items to your signature, your Bio-Block, and your Highlighted Items.


*Idea* Join a group - There are TONS of groups on Writing.Com for all kinds of interests and goals. There are also different levels of commitment within those groups, so you can choose one that suits your availability.


*Idea* Welcome a Newbie - We were all new to this site at one point! Take the time to welcome a new member, to offer advice and encouragement! What would you have liked help with when you were a new member?


There are obviously more options than just these to be an active member of WDC. These are just the tip of the iceberg!

Get involved and get noticed! *Smile*



purple flower sig


Editor's Picks



These items were submitted with feedback last month!

 Bio-Block Buffet (A CONTEST) Open in new Window. [E]
Is your Bio-Block better than mine? Do you know someone else whose Bio-Block is the Bomb?
by ruwth Author Icon


Save My Membership Auction - Closed Open in new Window. [E]
Help me to save my Membership, and various Groups as well. Closed
by BIG BAD WOLF Feeling Thankful Author Icon



Contests:


Image Protector
Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon

 
Image Protector
Hook Us! Open in new Window. [E]
Submit your query letter for a chance at our grand prize worth 1,000 dollars!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon

Image Protector
The Bard's Hall Contest Open in new Window. [13+]
DECEMBER is HOLIDAY RUSH: Shape Poetry Prompt!
by SantaBee Author Icon

What if...? (Closed) Open in new Window. [13+]
The contest that asks the big question - what if...? September Round - Judging
by Dawn Embers Author Icon

Image Protector
The Pressure Valve - closed for now. Open in new Window. [13+]
The SteamPunk Authors Guild's short story contest.
by CeruleanSon Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor



Activities:
Image Protector
Anniversary Reviews Open in new Window. [E]
Celebrate Writing.Com member account anniversaries with reviews.
by Annette Author Icon

Random Acts of Holiday Kindness Open in new Window. [ASR]
A non-profit Pay-It-Forward activity for the holidays.
by Brooke Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 The Cross-Dimensional Travel Diary Open in new Window. [13+]
One dimension-hopping ship plus a crew determined to find their way home.
by InkRose Author Icon






Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form or submission form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!



 
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

My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (February 22, 2012)Open in new Window.), discussed free promotion for contests & activities.

I think what makes WdC users attracted to a contest is a mix of colors, WritingML, font, and the rules and context of the contest. And, of course, the prizes! *BigSmile* ~ glo-stick

Good points! *Smile*



A wealth of information. ~ troy ulysses davis Author Icon

Thanks! *Smile*



To answer the question: I use the contest entry form on the hub, I use the sponsored items bidclick system and I try and enter as many community activities I can to spread the word. My contest is always linked to in my sig.
I also like to personally invite writers I like. I usually include the invite with a review, so they get double their bucks: review and an invite based on merit.
~ Thundersbeard 30DBC JULY HOST Author Icon

Great tips!!



Questions to think about:
What ways do you stay active on Writing.Com? What do you do to get noticed?

*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: B004PICKDS
Amazon's Price: Price N/A

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