Discussion: How to improve contests

**woosh** · 11-13-2006, 06:51 AM

Lol flatlanders dog was amazing and yes it would daunt a few hehe, as for the CH's pming designers, its not fair as its a contest it should be in the forum and the same for designers, I for one find it rather annoying when i get email alerts constantly for things that could be said in the actual thread, and its also underhanded when designers pm CH's when the contest is still active, yes within reason there are times when the CH or designer may to pm for a reason but all in all it should be done in the forum and we like to see feedback for ourselves but other work as well, its one big neverending learning curve, well thats my two cents anyways

**Neonimage** · 11-13-2006, 10:42 AM

Also the ideas that people come up with should not be used by another designer on the same contest -_-
Also you MUST post your designs on the thread not just PM or email it to them.

**Cre8ive 1** · 11-13-2006, 12:34 PM

I would say, stay active in the forum...communicate well...express ideas and concerns...give feedback and support...and all contests will be great. Hmmm, I kind of went contest crazy when I stumbled across this forum. So glad I found it. You guys and gals are all very talented.

My experience in these contests has been GREAT!!! (Except for being asked if I am a scammer in the beginning when I first posted...youre lucky it didnt scare me away. lol)...but I had to be really active and communicate like crazy with everyone keeping them informed that I was interested in seeing their work.

...and you know what? I got lots of submissions. I appreciate you all took the time to enter my 3 contests. I will be posting more soon. Need more $$$. Or else I will have to change my name to "Contest Queen".

**woosh** · 11-13-2006, 05:44 PM

Agreed Neon althought it is hard when a CH wants something to look like another design.... ideas yes but taking concepts from another designer is not on, and on the topic of emailing or pming designs to CH's thats kinda defeating the purpose of holding a contest, anyone that participates should put their entries into the thread just like everyone else after all it is a contest lol

**Critizin** · 11-14-2006, 08:28 AM

Yah i think there has been quite a bit of PMing from CH's And Contestants.. i for one dont think its fair.

**angele803** · 11-14-2006, 12:58 PM

So do you guys have any suggestion for a rule about PMing? I mean, you cant always tell if someone PM's someone. I guess we could try to add a rule that all entries must be posted within the thread???

**borzoid** · 11-14-2006, 01:10 PM

With the new marketplace forum categories, CHs who want to deal one on one with a designer should post a help wanted item there. Forum members can also post their services there.

Contest communications should all be posted in the contest thread. I feel that a contest holder communicating privately with someone about doing a job at the same time a contest is being held, should have their contest closed down much in the same way as if the contest were listed in more than one forum.

As for forum members communicating with CHs privately - that might be a little harder to do something about.

**woosh** · 11-14-2006, 05:20 PM

I agree with borzoid, there are freelance threads if a CH or designer wants to gain work that way, these are contests, if one is wanting a friendly competition, by all means join in its an opportunity to upskill yourself and there are genuine people here wanting to have a go, its not fair when designers go behind the scenes trying to gain an upper hand and trying to get the work privately, thats not what the contests are about, and I do agree regarding closing a thread if the CH is thought to not be holding the contest in an honest manner, as for designers it comes down to integrity really

**icorko** · 11-22-2006, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classeium.com

Regarding the payment not delivered issue, why not just enforce a payment first policy. Wouldnt that make sense anyway because you can get your money back with paypal anyway, not too sure about egold though.

I think a reputation system which is used would probably work well, or even a reminder of talkuptation, like a little hint throughout the graphics section of the forum.

Just another though,

I'm new here and I don't really understand what's going on here. What is that reputation about and what are the problems? I'm not a designer and I came here looking for some help. I noticed I can't post a contest and I'm curious about it.

**Neonimage** · 11-22-2006, 07:08 AM

You can't post a contest until you have at least 20 posts, this is becuse someone has been going around posting dud duplicate contests. This rule was to try and put them off.

**icorko** · 11-22-2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neonimage

You can't post a contest until you have at least 20 posts, this is becuse someone has been going around posting dud duplicate contests. This rule was to try and put them off.

thanks

so I just have to prove myself and my best intentions

**icorko** · 11-22-2006, 08:10 AM

although... I feel funny trying to fulfill that form... making comments just to raise the number...

**borzoid** · 11-22-2006, 09:04 AM

icorko, it will help us to get to know you better if you post to threads you are truly interested in and can give some input. Some of your posts haven't made sense because you are just trying to fill the quota.

Try going to the other categories on W-T and post in areas that interest you, give some site reviews, answer or ask questions. Your 20 will fill in before you know it and you will enjoy it a whole lot more than just making random comments.

**icorko** · 11-22-2006, 10:06 AM

thanks. i think I'll do that.
I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable here making any comments since I feel I don't know much about graphic design. that's why I'm here in the first place. i want some experts to help me.

**borzoid** · 12-07-2006, 06:41 AM

I think the 20 post requirement isn't working. Many folks are now just posting their requests in the graphics forum. A couple of times I've seen one before anyone has responded to it, I tried to suggest they get their 20 posts and post it in the contests forum, or, put the request in the help wanted section.

Unfortunately it seems that I am the only one doing this and more and more these "pseudo contests" seem to be going on via pm. I personally feel a bit uncomfortable pm-ing the requestors as I am unsure if they are contests or job postings. I would rather see several good contests and a couple fake one's in the forum than the loss of these contests to the general forum population.

Is there maybe another method of controlling the fakes? A $1-$5 fee to start a contest or some other control that will not chase CHs away or into the shadows of pm.

**angele803** · 12-07-2006, 12:36 PM

We are working on a fee system. But if people are put off by needing 20 posts, I have a feeling they are going to be put off by a fee too.
I noticed people doing this too. It is a little annoying. Chroder is working on a new system, but there is a lot of work to go into it and he is very busy!

**Neonimage** · 12-08-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angele803

We are working on a fee system. But if people are put off by needing 20 posts, I have a feeling they are going to be put off by a fee too.
I noticed people doing this too. It is a little annoying. Chroder is working on a new system, but there is a lot of work to go into it and he is very busy!

I think if the fee is refundable that would encorage more contests.
Just another idea

**woosh** · 12-15-2006, 04:23 PM

It doesn't have to be much at all but I think a fee could replace the 20 posts minimum as an alternative maybe?

**angele803** · 12-27-2006, 04:03 PM

Sorry I haven't been too active around here over the past few weeks. I am STILL in college, and between finals and the holidays, I just haven't been on the computer very much.
Anyway, I know we still have some scammers around, but I am happy to see so many successfull contests. I think things are improving a bit here (knock on wood) and am, like the rest of you, anxiously waiting to see what Chroder comes up with for our new system. I dont know much about it or when it will come about, but it should be great.
I hope everyone had a great holiday and I hope the good contests keep coming in!