Effectiveness of Contests

[zac439]

How would you rate contests you run, in relation to the amount of extra traffic you receive as a result? Big contests like the $1,000 at this forum attract many users, but how long will they last after the contest is over?

I would like to know other experiences of how effective they are, what happened to traffic after the contest, and profitability.

[propstm]

If the blog or forum is of quality there is no reason for the users attracted by the content to leave. I think by asking that question, you also need to address the fact that it may be your content that keeps users.

[boron]

I joined some forum contests before and I stood there after contest if forum was good. I did not enter in new contests on the same forum, if it was very bad quality. If admin refuse bad posting then the contest can make a wonderfull "first check feeling" to newcomers.

[WatchOut]

Forum contests are a great way to gain members and posts, however after some time I do not think it gives you much, after the contest ends the forum goes back to the normal level, sometimes it increases, depends on how much you invest.

[Tyler]

Let's just say, you'll probably see a 3rd contest after this one ends... and it will be even bigger.

[boron]

It's a great opportunity now when many people will be active, that we make some suggestions about what special (or just good) feature (service) this forum can develop to be attractive as a useful forum. With new good posters coming recently a good base will be built.

[Submerge]

Contests can be greatly effective, but many times afterwards they fail. Look at EarnersForum, but it looks like Tyler is on top of everything, it should help keep this forum active.

[rjp]

Contests for new sites are always tough because you don't have the community already there to support the contest and bring everyone else along for the ride (to "sneeze", if you will).

I hope this works out for Tyler because this forum seems to be built pretty well.

[SgtRumble]

The key to making a contest work is to spread the news. The best and easiest way to do this is by posting in multiple forums and anywhere else you can. If the prize is Hefty like this one people will come and once they're here you have a 50/50 chance they will hang around especially if there are multiple contests.
Another way is to offer an incentive to your existing members to advertise for you and the more people they refer the more they are rewarded.
I think this is why Tyler has been successful so far.

[Tyler]

I've found it extremely hard in getting word of the contest around. 80% of webmaster forums either don't allow advertising of the contest, or else say they do but then delete the thread since they are scared of the competition.

Props to Digitalpoint for not deleting it though.

[killafawk]

Tyler can i ask you a question? do you happen to have a general idea how many people your contest pulled in? To be honest if i was a person who saw your ad and read the details i would move on and not even join (if i wanted a shot at the money) because its kinda high standards. i know you dont want to give out money for almost nothing but id join a forum with a contest with something like write a funny story about the forum topic. Something everyone has a shot at...

when you have a contest that has like 200 minimum post requirements..thats almost impossible to get without spamming of some sort because this forum isn't very big yet.

Im not sure how many people you pulled in but im sure you could pull in alot more if you lowerd the standards...i think if i remember right that one of the requirements for a section of the contest where you had to have 500 posts just to be able to qualify to win. I think i've only seen like 3-4 people with 500+ posts and im pretty sure they been here since day one or so.

1000$ is alot of money to be giving away but mabe you cut it into like 5 different kinds of contests...like you could give out 5 ipod nanos for different ideas or forum type games. or you could have like 20 prizes of giving out online products that usally would cost money like free domain cupons or something.

just my 2 cents.

[Arthur07]

I assume that Tyler helps to recieve a reasonable return on his investment in the long run.

If the content of the forum was reasonable I would stick around as I am obviously going to do here. As for the day one members, that isn't true :) i am sure eanyone can build up a winning post count if they were set on it.

[Submerge]

You have to think, 500 posts is not a reasonable amount. It's only an average of 10 posts a day. I've been on multiple websites, 10 post daily average is nothing for people who love the topic.

[jhnrang]

10 post daily average is nothing for people who love the topic.

Or money ($$$:p )
Well --you were not frank -- I am.:D
I believe Tyler is first creating contents for the forum with the first two contests. I can see there are some really dedicated members who are working very hard and posting quality contents that would make this forum endear to the bots/spiders.
The negative point on these two contests are --due to the high standard as mentioned by killafawk--very few members joined the contetsts.

I reckon --high quality referral contests --that would require good numbers of post with good quality would really make current contests meaningful and make this forum a vibrant one.

Just NOTE: -- I have not yet come accros a shrewed SEO expert like Tyler --
Killafawk --there are many SEO guru/experts --who give weird advices for gimmicks. But this is the real SEO Tyley doing--making the forum endear to the bots as well as building links -albeit indirectly.
Many new forums hire forum booster/posting companies to create contents --but Tyler has decided otherwise and I believe this is more rewarding in the long run.

Hats Off to you Tyler. I have learnt a good abd great SEO technique here.