General Discussions

**LeeD** · 06-28-2006, 02:25 PM

While the forum is still in "pre-release" phase, I am trying to determine the best contest to have in place for out real opening day.

I was considering a contest based on points. Just a thought:
~ Each post gets you 1 point.
~ Each referral gets you 25 points. (there will be stipulations here)
~ Each blog post you secure on a webmaster blog about this forum gets you 50 points. Confirmation of email communication between member and blogger required.
~ Filling out the application gets you 10 points.
~ The member would keep track of his own points and PM an explanation of them to me when the point level is achieved.

Make it a race to 1000 points, or do something where the first 5 or 10 win that reach that level.

Now for the prize:
~ $5,000 in prize money - the pitch of one day of my income being given away
~ Give away already made website(s)
~ Give away a one hour consultation with me each week

I need feedback and ideas here please.

What will get the whole internet world talking about EF? What will get the big time bloggers blogging about EF?

**imported_Anthony** · 06-28-2006, 03:41 PM

The referral system and post system is flawed and would require heavy monitoring in my personal experience. It's a great marketing concept but it would mean a lot more work than if it was an event where users contributed something more solid and singular on the whole.

**LeeD** · 06-28-2006, 03:51 PM

This was my thought though Anthony. It would be the participant's job to PM me their explanation of how they have 1000 points or whatever it is. So I won't have to monitor, just verify?

Either way, EF needs a HUGE MAJOR BIG TIME CRAZY contest to get everyone's attention....any insight?

**imported_Anthony** · 06-28-2006, 03:53 PM

That sounds like a good idea, it'll save your time and limit your administration in this area so you can focus on doing what you do best, growing and running the forums.

If users can't be bothered to PM you, they obviously can't be bothered to win the prize, you can't get fairer than that.

Have you considered running two contest alongside each other and splitting the prizes across both?

**petertdavis** · 06-28-2006, 08:31 PM

Here's another idea.... instead of the $5000 in cash, use the $5000 to buy/build a profit making site, and the winner gets the site. This community is all about people making money on the web after all, right?

**nwingate** · 06-28-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petertdavis

Here's another idea.... instead of the $5000 in cash, use the $5000 to buy/build a profit making site, and the winner gets the site. This community is all about people making money on the web after all, right?

I like this idea the best :cowboy:

**John** · 06-28-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petertdavis

Here's another idea.... instead of the $5000 in cash, use the $5000 to buy/build a profit making site, and the winner gets the site. This community is all about people making money on the web after all, right?

Now you're talking! Great idea Peter

**Fredto** · 06-29-2006, 01:49 AM

I liked the 1 hour consultation each week, God knows I could use it ;p

**nwingate** · 06-29-2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredto

I liked the 1 hour consultation each week, God knows I could use it ;p

I'm probably too thick headed to listen. :whistling:

**Fredto** · 06-29-2006, 08:09 AM

Hahaha
Bah, I would log eveything and keep it as a reference ;p

But the idea of a contest is good, the number of posts is astronomical (for me, at least) but that's what it takes.

It gave me an idea for a contest on a future forum of my own.

**LeeD** · 06-29-2006, 08:50 AM

Alright, last night I thought on all the ideas and thoughts presented so far. Here is what I have come up with:

Taking my same contest plan with the point and all, I give away 5 prizes to the first 5 to reach the 1,000 point level.

Prize:
~ $1,000
~ A niche article site getting some traffic, indexed pages in all major SEs, and possibly a bit of adsense income
~ 1 Hour Consultation

So the idea being they have a nice site that isn't brand new and is getting some traffic, $1,000 to spend marketing the site or not (their choice of course), and an hour consultation with me.

Thoughts?

**Fredto** · 06-29-2006, 08:55 AM

That's a very good idea.

It's amazing to see how much budget you have to spend on this ;p

**nwingate** · 06-29-2006, 09:27 AM

Sounds good to me.

**Guaner** · 06-29-2006, 09:45 AM

I think this will work.

**imported_Anthony** · 06-29-2006, 01:48 PM

Excellent idea

**LeeD** · 06-30-2006, 12:55 AM

http://www.earnersforum.com/contest.php

You get an early peak at the opening day contest!

**Nintendo** · 06-30-2006, 12:57 AM

For referrals, a hack like

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=102452

would make it easy for us to watch our referrals so we know who they are and how many posts they make.

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showp...0&postcount=74

says it does work on vb3.6 beta3 so it probably works on beta 2.

**LeeD** · 06-30-2006, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nintendo

For referrals, a hack like

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=102452

would make it easy for us to watch our referrals so we know who they are and how many posts they make.

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showp...0&postcount=74

says it does work on vb3.6 beta3 so it probably works on beta 2.

All done! Thanks for the recommendation!

http://www.earnersforum.com/referrers.php?

Or, click on "Quick Links" > "Referral Statistics"

**Nintendo** · 06-30-2006, 02:27 AM

One question that might come up is, do posts made before the contest count as a point?

**LeeD** · 06-30-2006, 02:36 AM

Yes, this will be a way to say thanks to our "pre-launch" members!