Contests & Activities: March 12, 2014 Issue [#6204]
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Contests & Activities


 This week: Your Fundraiser Page
  Edited by: NaNoNette 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

There was a day, last week or a decade ago, that you typed "writing" into your search engine. You wanted to show off some of your poems, short stories, or maybe even get feedback for a whole novel. You found Writing.com.
On this site, you found all that you searched for: Portfolio space, helpful reviewers, encouraging groups, style and grammar lessons from peers. Nothing prepared you for the amazing bounty of: Contests & Activities!


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor


Your Fundraiser Page


Create an attractive fundraiser.


The two most common types of fundraisers on Writing.Com are auctions and raffles. Next to those, there are many unique games that are designed to get you to spend your gift points in a fundraiser while having fun at the same time.

No matter which format of fundraiser you choose, auction, raffle, or your own unique idea, there are a few things that stay the same in each fundraiser.

Catchy and informative name. Your fundraiser's name should be both unique, but maybe give a hint at the beneficiary too. Example: "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window., which ran in February. This title does not yet say that there is a fundraiser, but it's a kissing booth on a writing site - and the reviewing group "P.E.N.C.I.L.Open in new Window. is prominently featured in the title. This gives pretty much epitomizes "catchy and informative title."

In the log line below the title, you have just enough space to let the reader know that this is a fundraiser and, if it wasn't in the title, the main beneficiary.

Page Layout. At the top of your page comes the catchy and informative fundraiser name. Right below or above it is a good spot for a banner.

Crucial Information. Right below the name and banner is an ideal spot for some crucial bits of information. Starting and ending time of the fundraiser. A list of all beneficiaries with percentage breakdown if there is one.

Descriptive Paragraph. Now that the visitor to your page knows how long they can play and who they are supporting is the time to explain the game completely. Any rules that you have should be mentioned now.

The Rest. In an auction, you would now list the packages. In a raffle, you could either link to a separate item with raffle ticket numbers, you can have them visible on the page, or in a drop down or pop-up link. If you have another game, this area is your playzone.

Maintenance! Fundraisers require a lot of maintenance. You can't react fast enough to donations, purchases, and inquiries. After all, you are asking members to trust you with their gift points. Showing presence can make a huge difference in the amount that your fundraiser will earn. Ideally, you'd check you fundraiser at least once a day. This is very important. Your credibility hinges on how well your fundraiser is managed. The better service you give, the more success you'll have now and with future fundraisers.

Fundraisers for your own membership. There are many fundraisers where aside from giving to groups, the person hosting the fundraiser is keeping a percentage of the income toward their membership. This might work if you are putting up a lot of work on your end. For instance in an auction, you'd have to offer several packages yourself. If you have a fundraiser for your membership, make sure that the groups are getting a bigger share of the profits than you.

Keeping gift points. Sometimes a host will keep 5-10% of the profit for themselves without announcing what those points are for. Difficult one. If you are keeping points and they are not for your membership, you should announce if they are for a contest, for giving out extra prizes during the fundraiser, or any other reason. A fundraiser is a lot of work, but a host should not use it to earn a lot of gift points "just because." That might be a detractor to possible participants.



Editor's Picks




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#1973531 by Not Available.

I am trying to do some cross genre with this. But the rules doesn't state you have to. Take a look, read what others have written before, on my family, and be a part of the dragon clan.

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FORUM
Re|Write Contest. (Annual) Open in new Window. (18+)
Rewrite your lousy old stories! Closed for submissions. Returning in October 2022.
#1947347 by ~ Santa Sisco ~ Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1975206 by Not Available.

Come sign your name on our quilt with hidden prizes behind the squares or take a whack at Chester the pinata. There's lots to do at the Blog City Fair. Why not take a a stroll around the Fair? You'll be gald you did!

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FORUM
Merit Badge Projects Open in new Window. (13+)
What if you got a chance to work towards gaining a Merit Badge that you might not have?
#1978212 by Andy~hating university Author IconMail Icon

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FORUM
Monthly Writing Accountability Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
A monthly writing competition designed to hold you accountable for your goals.
#1965469 by Storm Machine Author IconMail Icon

The Steampunk Boiler Room Open in new Window. (E)
Discuss, learn, practice, promote, write and review Steampunk, Sci-fi & Fantasy with us.
#1776068 by Beck Firing back up! Author IconMail Icon

The Boiler Room is back! Let's go Steampunks!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1980959 by Not Available.

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#1961842 by Not Available.

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#1511002 by Not Available.

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#1265786 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1975206 by Not Available.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

In response to my last newsletter "Your Contest PageOpen in new Window. I got the following replies:

CJ Reddick Author Icon wrote: This opener activity for Blog City is a massive multi-activity event. The run dates are from February 22nd to March 29th. There will be a snack-themed auction, a pinata ~ a raffle-type activity but more like a pinata (see for details), a Blog City quilt where members can buy a square, and three random squares will win 25K, 10K, and 5K accordingly. There is also a poetry contest where people may submit their best poem about a farm animal. Also, an image contest where the image savvy can compete to create the best pumpkin. There is also a pie-eating contest themed review challenge. "The World's Largest Flower Basket" raffle, and a flash fiction contest involving a Ferris wheel.
The fair will conclude on the 29th with a parade announcing the winners and displaying the completed quilt. "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.

blainecindy wrote: If you're a WDC blogger looking for a group that provides interesting and thought-provoking blog prompts, innovative contests and challenges, and entertaining activities on a regular basis, then Blog City is just the group for you. Come join us at Blog City. It's every Blogger's Paradise! Contact blainecindy "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's ParadiseOpen in new Window.

Creeper Of The Realm Author Icon wrote: Great Newsletter, Giselle! I try to make the contest page look clean and not crowded, so it's eye catching and visually pleasing, and hopefully, not overdone. *Bigsmile* I'm actually in the process of creating six different contests - one mentioned here will be redone as well - so this NL came in quite handy at this time. Thank you!

You are a busy Blue Witch! *Shock*


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