How to Host a Blogging Contest
Before ever undertaking my new Blog Contest to Win a Pink SEO bear, I certainly did some background research to make sure that I did it right. I want to make the most out of this in order to thank my readers for their support by offering prizes, as well to draw some new attention to my blog.
I have compiled a list of the different things I considered prior to hosting a blogging contest on my Pink Internet Marketing blog:
- I have seen lots of contests going on around the blogosphere, many for prizes of great worth. Certainly, the bigger the prize, the more attention you will receive, but at the same time, you don’t want to offer a prize that is too big for your blog. I felt my prizes are reflective of my traffic, but as they will receive the attention they deserve.
- Make updates on the contest throughout - perhaps link to the newest entries. I myself plan on making an update each week showing the progress of the candy jar, and showing new entries.
- Don’t expect people to find out about your contest just by visiting your blog. Promote your contest on contest blogs and sites and on blogging communities to which you belong. One of the major reasons for hosting a blog contest is to help promote your blog, so ensure that you announce it in as many places as possible. A list published recently on of the Top on the Web is a good place to start when promoting your contest. Another site,
, is another site to consider, as she presents a daily contest roundup. - If possible, make the prize something that extends your branding. I was lucky to have the cute bear on my blog already - and I know EVERYBODY thinks it is cute and I know many of my readers would a) want the bear or b) want to give the bear to a loved one (romantic liaison or tiny person). You want the prize to appeal to your readers (being your niche), appealing to everyone is not required as you want to reward and attract those in your niche.
- You might want to have a small blog contest at first (like mine) if you are looking to offer a very large prize. Test it out, find out what works and what does not. Learning from your experiences the first time around will help you really get the most out of having a big blogging contest.
Be sure to enter my blogging contest, and win the cutest bear in the blogosphere. ;)
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Posted: September 25th, 2007 under Blogging.
Comments: 9
Comments
Comment from
Time: September 26, 2007, 12:24 am
Thank you for the mention and link love!
Comment from
Time: September 26, 2007, 2:43 am
Thanks for the mention, and good luck with your contest!
Comment from
Time: September 26, 2007, 7:40 am
There are some good tips here. I recently wrote something similar after following many contests. You may want to consider a few of the tips as well.
Comment from
Time: September 26, 2007, 9:27 am
I love your contest idea, Danielle. And this post is even better. It’s really a great angle you have on your site, pretty much exploring marketing and SEO all while letting your readers in on exactly what you’re doing each step of the way. Great job! And as I just launched a recent contest, I’m definitely going to be using some of your advice from here! (Heck, I wish I had actually seen this before I posted our contest.)
Comment from
Time: September 26, 2007, 11:03 am
Great post… I came across this post at the perfect time…. Great site.
Comment from
Time: September 26, 2007, 11:18 am
Yes, you`re right, the prize depends of how much traffic has the blog.
There is something that I love of this contest: You`re showing the big prize!, That`s good `cause I think people will put more interest in the contest and showing the big price means the contest it`s serious and real…and beautiful :D
I love the built-a-bear workshop box..”We`re going to celebrate” ;)
Comment from
Time: September 26, 2007, 1:20 pm
That is one cute bear!
Comment from Danielle
Time: September 26, 2007, 4:22 pm
@ Andrew - I thought this would a good post to complement the contest that is going on - people who find this might also wish to enter my contest! :) Sneaky sneaky!
@ Beef Jerky - Good luck with your contest, and also I noticed you have reached the top 10k… congrats!
@ Hernan - I will be sending the box along with the bear as well, along with some BABW stickers and other stuff I picked up while at the store.
@Brown Baron - It really is a cute bear, and gee will it be hard to part with it.
Comment from
Time: September 27, 2007, 9:46 am
I´ve been wanting to have a contest on my blog, but wasn´t sure how to go about it . . . this post helps. Thank you. Now I just have to figure out what the prize should be. Also, what would you say is a good length for a contest? 2 weeks, three?
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