I Want To Have A Contest...

[Corey]

Hey everyone,

My forum is still very new and small. I want to have a contest, not only to attract attention to my forum, but also to reward members for becoming a part of the community. I was thinking of offering a free domain or something like that since people joining my site will most likely have their own website. I just can't think of a good idea for a contest. I was thinking of a referral contest but there aren't any current and functional referral mods for phpBB3 and it would be hard to track referrals. So, my questions for you:

Do you think having a contest is a bad idea since my forum is so small?

What contest ideas do you have? What types of contests would be good for a promotion forum?

Do you think a domain is a good prize? If not, what would you suggest?

 

[Mik.]

I'd say offer a package of:
-Free Domain
-25 Posts on their forum
-Traffic?

 

[Corey]

I'd say offer a package of:
-Free Domain
-25 Posts on their forum
-Traffic?

Those sound like good ideas. By traffic, do you mean like advertise their site on special locations around the forum?

 

[Mik.]

Yea sure why not.

Maybe a forum redirect link? Also, maybe a topic sticky promoting their forum.

That'd be good enough!

 

[Corey]

Right, but I need a contest that people would be interested in and they would be encouraged to participate. I don't really want to do a posting contest as that can lead to a lot of posts with no substance.

Also, what is a decent amount of time to have a contest for? Is 2 weeks too long?

 

[master412160]

Depending on the reward.


I say to just give the winner a promotion sticky, exposure around the forum you know. Let the winner have use to all your promotion forum offers to its members and more.

 

[Gizmo]

If your forum offers some sort of premium membership maybe a month for that also.

 

[Fergal]

I'd say offer a package of:
-Free Domain
-25 Posts on their forum
-Traffic?

That's a great suggestion for a prize, you could also add a coloured user name or badge as the prize.

Personally I like Member of the Month or Week contests, they reward members for the quality of their participation rather than the quantity of their posts.

 

[Mik.]

2 weeks for a contest is perfect. Its not too short and not too long. Also, try to give a few days heads up before the contest starts.

 

[AnAccount]

I kind of like the 25 posts bit. However, I'd also have one or two of Gampro's other suggestions handy, as not everyone who partakes in your contest owns a forum. So I'd have at least two other alternatives in mind just in case.