Contests & Activities: February 15, 2006 Issue [#876]
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Contests & Activities


 This week:
  Edited by: Octobers Lie 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



Looking for something new to try? Need a little inspiration? Maybe you just want a challenge. Whatever the case, Contests and Activities can be very rewarding.

This site is overflowing with creativity which means there is always something going on. Whether you're a host, a contestant, or just plain curious, this newsletter is for you!




Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B000FC0SIM
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor



I have a calendar hanging on the wall right beside my computer desk. I'm very good at keeping my calendar up-to-date, jotting down appointments, birthdays, my child's basketball games, etc. I also include Writing.Com dates. If I see a contest or activity that I want to participate in, I will mark the deadline on my calendar so that I will be sure not to miss it. Unfortunately, my calendar doesn't always correspond with my time. Life happens and sometimes I have not been able to work on a contest entry or log on to the Internet. That's ok, right? Of course it is, but what if I were hosting an item on Writing.Com? *Worry*

Hosting a contest or activity takes time and dedication. Hosts have a lot of responsibilities not only to their item(s) but also to the participants.

If you are planning on becoming a host make sure you have time. There are many things to consider when you think about 'time'. Creating, promoting, interacting, closing, judging, etc. You wouldn't want to set your deadline or judging dates when you knew you were going to be out of town or something like that. *Wink*

Hosting multiple items can create a problem if you are limited on time and resources. Members who do host more than one item successfully can tell you that they devote quite a bit of time and energy into their items. *Delight* If you do chose to host a few items during the same period, make sure you are able to abide by the dates you set. If you are closing two items and list judging results on the same date, will you be able to comply? Something to consider. *Wink*

I've seen several contests and activities that were hosted by a group or included other members who shared responsibilities. That's always an option, too.

Running a responsible contest or activity builds a host's reputation and that is extremely important for future successful items.

So what do you do when the unexpected happens? Maybe your offline life kept you from fulfilling your duties as a host, or computer/Internet problems. What do you do?

*Bullet* First thing, post an apologize in your item as soon as you can. There will be many members who will forgive you and some that won't. Just be sure to take responsibility. The incident may or may not hurt your reputation as a host, it just depends on the circumstances and the item you are running. If it does, then hopefully as time goes by you can prove with future items that you can be a host that participants can count on. That's totally up to you and how you handle things.

*Bullet* Conclude your item as you originally stated as soon as possible.

*Bullet* If you find that you can not concluded your item let it be known. Email partipants with an apology and if you had any gift point donations send each contributor a full refund with an apology, also.

One of the worse things that you could do would be to delete the item or set it to private without any explanation. This gives the appearance of deception. Leave the item public for awhile so that all particpants can check in for updates and such.

Things can happen and time does not slow down. Hopefully the many hosts on this site will not encounter any problems and I wish each of them much success. To all of the participants, I wish you many hours of entertainment, a lot of helpful reviews and all of the other rewards that can come with Contests and Activities.

Until next time....







Editor's Picks



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FORUM
HONORING OUR VETERANS  Open in new Window. (ASR)
Of course there's a Veterans Day - EVERY DAY!
#423698 by Monty Author IconMail Icon


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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!

ASIN: 1945043032
Amazon's Price: $ 13.94


Ask & Answer



Submitted by: gaeliciriquois Thanks for your article. Even though I'm not running any contests, you've directed me to some new places where I can submit a couple of forums I've started. Hopefully they will start to take off soon now.

Submitted by: Vivian Author Icon Hi, Ollie. It's good to see you as an editor again, and this issue gave me a place to visit. Welcome back. ~~ Viv

Submitted by: Pass it on Author Icon I think you did a great job again with this newsletter. This was interesting and you gave some great advice. *Smile*

Submitted by: Marti Author Icon Thanks so much for thinking my contest worthy of a mention in the newsletter. wonderful job you are doing and good information you pass on. Keep up the good work. sadie.

Submitted by: Melissa is fashionably late! Author Icon Hello Ollie! *Smile* What awesome picks for your newsletter, especially the lottery. hehehe. Thank you for featuring it!

Submitted by: darkskye Author Icon This is a great newslettter! *Smile* Lots of great contests and activities! Keep up the awesome work!
Take care,
darkskye

Submitted by: billwilcox Ollie!
Great newsletter on where and how to promote your writings. You taught this old dog a few new tricks *Cool*. And thanks for featuring "The Dialogue 500Open in new Window. *Heart*




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

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Word from our sponsor
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