Comments on: Using Competitions For Publicity, Credibility And Marketing http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/ Internet Marketing Blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:02:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Free promotion by giving up prizes » Work Boxers http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2888 Free promotion by giving up prizes » Work Boxers Tue, 07 Feb 2006 06:23:17 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2888 [...] I’ve been meaning to push this article out for a while now and only just noticed that Yaro already did his spin on this topic. [...] [...] I’ve been meaning to push this article out for a while now and only just noticed that Yaro already did his spin on this topic. [...]

]]> By: The Carnival Hits Town : Home Office Voice - Home Business on the Web http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2887 The Carnival Hits Town : Home Office Voice - Home Business on the Web Mon, 06 Feb 2006 12:29:25 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2887 [...] Using Competitions For Publicity, Credibility And Marketing by Yaro Starak - with this article Yaro details the efforts of one small business owner in his efforts in using a unique competition (and these days it has to be unique with so much marketing clutter) as one part of his marketing push. A nice case study. [...] [...] Using Competitions For Publicity, Credibility And Marketing by Yaro Starak – with this article Yaro details the efforts of one small business owner in his efforts in using a unique competition (and these days it has to be unique with so much marketing clutter) as one part of his marketing push. A nice case study. [...]

]]> By: Home Office Voice - Home Business on the Web http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2886 Home Office Voice - Home Business on the Web Mon, 06 Feb 2006 12:26:48 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2886 <strong>The Carnival Hits Town...</strong> Roll up … Roll up! Welcome to The Carnival of Marketing Week #11. Started by Noah Kagan, the carnival is growing nicely … and it’s my privilege to be hosting it this week. Even though the Carnival is booked quite well in advance ... The Carnival Hits Town…

Roll up … Roll up! Welcome to The Carnival of Marketing Week #11.
Started by Noah Kagan, the carnival is growing nicely … and it’s my privilege to be hosting it this week.
Even though the Carnival is booked quite well in advance …

]]> By: Saturday's Angel http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2884 Saturday's Angel Sun, 05 Feb 2006 06:17:54 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2884 I think this is a wonderful idea for promotion! I would probably say that it's probably one of the better ways of promoting, because there is potential value for the those that are entered into the contest. Great! I think this is a wonderful idea for promotion! I would probably say that it’s probably one of the better ways of promoting, because there is potential value for the those that are entered into the contest. Great!

]]> By: Brian http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2885 Brian Fri, 03 Feb 2006 22:07:34 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2885 As far as legalities go, if the contest is a random sweepstakes (lottery) there are lots of laws to comply with. If the contest is one where you pick the winner based on your own personal discretion (like a "design me a new logo" competition) then generally you're OK, because that's really just putting something out for competitive bid and paying the winner you select. Always best to check with your own lawyer though. This is business after all, despite all the free and low cost promotion techniques. As far as legalities go, if the contest is a random sweepstakes (lottery) there are lots of laws to comply with.

If the contest is one where you pick the winner based on your own personal discretion (like a “design me a new logo” competition) then generally you’re OK, because that’s really just putting something out for competitive bid and paying the winner you select.

Always best to check with your own lawyer though. This is business after all, despite all the free and low cost promotion techniques.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2881 Aaron Thu, 02 Feb 2006 07:54:19 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2881 Thanks for the comments everyone. Darragh, I was waiting for someone to have a dig about my hosting site or the websiterenos.com site. At least you didn't submit an entry for them, like others have done. You might not like the look of the highlighting so much, but I bet you read what was in it. :) Aaron Thanks for the comments everyone.

Darragh, I was waiting for someone to have a dig about my hosting site or the websiterenos.com site. At least you didn’t submit an entry for them, like others have done.

You might not like the look of the highlighting so much, but I bet you read what was in it. :)

Aaron

]]> By: Darragh http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2883 Darragh Thu, 02 Feb 2006 05:39:42 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2883 Your three points are great, and a pertinent reminder about my own website! Aside: I'd probably nominate the websmart central website for a makeover...not exactly the most attractive looking page! black on yellow text highlights...eugh! - Darragh Your three points are great, and a pertinent reminder about my own website!

Aside: I’d probably nominate the websmart central website for a makeover…not exactly the most attractive looking page! black on yellow text highlights…eugh!

- Darragh

]]> By: Tim King http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2882 Tim King Thu, 02 Feb 2006 02:21:50 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2882 Yes, I'm not so much concerned with someone claiming civil damages. I'm more concerned with someone filing a criminal complaint. However, there are two additional factors. Firstly, give-aways like contests and drawings happen all the time informally on the web, and most of these have no official terms of entry. So there's strength in numbers in that any random contest is less likely to attract attention. Secondly, a small prize makes the contest unlikely to attract a piranha while still providing enjoyment to the participants. (And I don't expect to be running one with any large prizes, even in the $1000 range, anytime soon.) -TimK Yes, I’m not so much concerned with someone claiming civil damages. I’m more concerned with someone filing a criminal complaint.

However, there are two additional factors. Firstly, give-aways like contests and drawings happen all the time informally on the web, and most of these have no official terms of entry. So there’s strength in numbers in that any random contest is less likely to attract attention.

Secondly, a small prize makes the contest unlikely to attract a piranha while still providing enjoyment to the participants. (And I don’t expect to be running one with any large prizes, even in the $1000 range, anytime soon.)

-TimK

]]> By: PlusOne Marketing http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2875 PlusOne Marketing Thu, 02 Feb 2006 01:56:02 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2875 If mainstream media attention is obtained for the competition, then with a prize of $2,000 then the flag is being waved for various state gaming and promotions departments to take interest - in particular NSW, Vic, Tas, ACT and ESPECIALLY SA. This could result in fines. Smaller stuff they seem to ignore (I know on my various websites I have run competitions over the years (great for building email lists and extra traffic from promo sites) with total prize values in the low hundreds, and have never had any trouble. However when dealing with people for SMS competitions that we also provide a service for - a permit is ALWAYS needed for those states that require them. If mainstream media attention is obtained for the competition, then with a prize of $2,000 then the flag is being waved for various state gaming and promotions departments to take interest – in particular NSW, Vic, Tas, ACT and ESPECIALLY SA.

This could result in fines.

Smaller stuff they seem to ignore (I know on my various websites I have run competitions over the years (great for building email lists and extra traffic from promo sites) with total prize values in the low hundreds, and have never had any trouble.

However when dealing with people for SMS competitions that we also provide a service for – a permit is ALWAYS needed for those states that require them.

]]> By: Australian Worst Website Renovation Contest » Blog Archive » Website Renovation meets Entrepreneurs Journey Blog http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2877 Australian Worst Website Renovation Contest » Blog Archive » Website Renovation meets Entrepreneurs Journey Blog Thu, 02 Feb 2006 01:55:08 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2877 [...] I wrote an article for Yaro’s blog on using competitions for publicity, credibility and marketing. [...] [...] I wrote an article for Yaro’s blog on using competitions for publicity, credibility and marketing. [...]

]]> By: Yaro http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2879 Yaro Wed, 01 Feb 2006 23:11:14 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2879 Tim - I think you are perhaps a little too paranoid over the legalities of running a competition. Unless you are giving away some very big prizes it just wouldn't be worth it for anyone to sue you. Take Aaron's example above of a competition of $2000 value. If anyone felt wrong done by and wanted retribution realistically the most they could go for would be $2000 and that's certainly not worth the hassle of hiring a lawyer and making a case etc If your prize is $50,000 it might be a different story. I used to run simple competitions and I let my staff decide winners (forum moderators and contributing writers) or used a basic web based survey form to let my readers choose a winner. The survey form certainly wasn't 100% accurate but since the prizes were often worth less than $200 no one really made a fuss and the winner was always really happy. Tim – I think you are perhaps a little too paranoid over the legalities of running a competition. Unless you are giving away some very big prizes it just wouldn’t be worth it for anyone to sue you.

Take Aaron’s example above of a competition of $2000 value. If anyone felt wrong done by and wanted retribution realistically the most they could go for would be $2000 and that’s certainly not worth the hassle of hiring a lawyer and making a case etc

If your prize is $50,000 it might be a different story.

I used to run simple competitions and I let my staff decide winners (forum moderators and contributing writers) or used a basic web based survey form to let my readers choose a winner. The survey form certainly wasn’t 100% accurate but since the prizes were often worth less than $200 no one really made a fuss and the winner was always really happy.

]]> By: Blaine Moore (Run to Win) http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2880 Blaine Moore (Run to Win) Wed, 01 Feb 2006 21:51:38 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2880 Good idea, Aaron. I am looking forward to seeing how much business this generates for you. Good idea, Aaron. I am looking forward to seeing how much business this generates for you.

]]> By: Tim King http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2878 Tim King Wed, 01 Feb 2006 15:38:25 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2878 Hi, Yaro. This is a great idea. I've been thinking of running a contest or give-away for my blogcast at some point. One issue I've been wrestling with is the legality. The Internet is an international medium, and so I'd either have to limit the contest to my own country (the U.S.) or comply with the laws of every country. Even just in the U.S., there are 50 states and innumerable counties and cities. Do any of these have unusual laws regarding contests? And what about ensuring the fairness of the contest? If it involves judging or a random selection, is there anything special I need to do aside from providing an audit trail? Do I need to hire a lawyer? (Gack!) It would really be cool, if it's cost effective, to farm out the legal and mechanical issues to a contract house that specializes in such things. They run the drawing and give-away, in exchange for some fee. But I've never heard of such a service. -TimK Hi, Yaro. This is a great idea. I’ve been thinking of running a contest or give-away for my blogcast at some point. One issue I’ve been wrestling with is the legality. The Internet is an international medium, and so I’d either have to limit the contest to my own country (the U.S.) or comply with the laws of every country. Even just in the U.S., there are 50 states and innumerable counties and cities. Do any of these have unusual laws regarding contests? And what about ensuring the fairness of the contest? If it involves judging or a random selection, is there anything special I need to do aside from providing an audit trail?

Do I need to hire a lawyer? (Gack!)

It would really be cool, if it’s cost effective, to farm out the legal and mechanical issues to a contract house that specializes in such things. They run the drawing and give-away, in exchange for some fee. But I’ve never heard of such a service.

-TimK

]]> By: Lee http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/comment-page-1/#comment-2876 Lee Wed, 01 Feb 2006 11:37:00 +0000 http://candy.become-a-blogger.com/350/using-competitions-for-publicity-credibility-and-marketing/#comment-2876 I have considered running a competition for cafenation, but I want to build some traffic first. I have considered running a competition for cafenation, but I want to build some traffic first.

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