Internet Marketing Tycoon

**Cpetz** · 07-28-2006, 03:24 AM

I've decided to do a photo contest for our visitors. They'd send in a pic of thier dog and after thirty days the winners would receive a bunch of nifty dog stuff and thier dog's pic on the site.

I don't think I'll have any problem getting entries. We only have a small amount of unique hits per day but I still get a flood of emails for our ask the trainer section. (and although I'm grateful for that I wish some would post on the forums too...sigh) and dog owners LOVE to share pics of their furkids. So that part I'm not too worried about.

Here's the question. Ideally I would like companies to donate prizes for the contest. They'd get a link for 30 days on the site in return. Now being so new I'm not sure if I should simply buy the stuff myself this time around to get the contest off the ground, and then appraoch companies next month (sept) about donating, or if I should just jump in with both feet and cross my fingers that some bite? I want this to be a monthly thing, not just a one time deal so I really need to get donators eventually because I won't be able to continue buying it all myself.

If you we're doing this how would you go about it? Any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm very excited about this. I think it'll bring in a ton of traffic once the first winners are posted. I know if my dog won something like this I'd be sending everyone I know to the website.

**Lpspider** · 07-28-2006, 03:41 AM

Honestly, I don't think it matters either way. If you don't mind spending a little for the first month, go for it. I'd do both - approach the companies, but buy the things yourself if none of them bite. Don't let sponsorship hold you back. Follow the timeframe.

**Cpetz** · 07-28-2006, 06:10 AM

I suppose you're right that it may not matter. I'm just afraid of "burning bridges" with certain companies if they either don't respond or decline to donate. I also wish I wasn't such a wimp when it comes to approaching folks for stuff like this.

I need to just get out there and do it. The worst they can say is no and there are plenty of other dog companies out there, but it's still a little scary for me. I'd feel more confident if I was getting more traffic and therefor had more to offer them.

I know, get over it and just do it right?

(ETA: I'm having smilie issues. Do we not have a wink smilie?)

**Plugin-Developer** · 07-28-2006, 09:27 AM

Approaching people is tough for any reason if you're not used to doing so. I know when I started my permanent job a couple of months ago I hated talking on the phone with my colleagues and the people I worked with.

Since then, I've realized that email is great if you don't mind how long it takes to receive a response. However, if you need something or want something really bad, you should give the person a call. I recommend calling the companies that you're thinking of or, if they're local, go in for a face-to-face meeting and ask to speak to a manager.

I bet you'd get much better results. Good luck.

-Nick

**J.P** · 07-29-2006, 11:32 AM

I've just started up a contest and all I've done is been around the local business and asked for a prize to be donates. The selling point is telling them they will advertise to X amount of people every day and get a lot of coverage. I also tell them I send out to my news letter subscribers etc.

Everyone I've been to see have agreed and donated about 20 euros each, so not bad for a first attempt.

Obviously after a couple of months I will be going around larger companies and at least I will have something to show them to try and get the prizes bigger each month.

**Plugin-Developer** · 07-29-2006, 02:03 PM

Way to go! Good luck with your contest and prizes.

Congratulations on getting donations. I knew that face-to-face things would work.