How to Market Your Essay Contest
Essay contests are a way for individuals and organizations to raise money or promote an item or idea. They also benefit the contestants, because exceptional essay writers are rewarded with prizes and recognition. If you are organizing an essay contest, you will need to spread the word to maximize its success. Word of mouth is a great start, but there are some other tactics you should consider if you want to market your essay contest to a wide audience.
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Instructions
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Check your state's legal restrictions on essay contests before promoting yours. Each state has different regulations for essay contests, and in some states they are even illegal. If possible, hire a lawyer to review the terms and conditions of your essay contest, any applications you will ask your contestants to submit and any contracts.
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Create a professional-looking website. Edit your website carefully or hire a proofreader so that the text is grammatically correct and free of typos; otherwise, people may not think that your essay contest is legitimate.
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Write a press release and submit it to print and online media outlets for publication.
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Contact your local public radio stations, newspapers and television stations. These outlets will be your best bets at getting free promotion of your contest in the form of interviews, news coverage or mentions. You may also ask to underwrite radio programs or purchase ad space in order to market your contest.
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Create bold, attention-grabbing flyers that outline the contest's conditions and your contact information. Post them in places of interest around your local community; be sure to get permission first. Try coffee shops, libraries, post offices, grocery stores and other town fixtures.
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Tips & Warnings
You will need to thoroughly plan the logistics of your essay contest before you begin to market it. There are a lot of technicalities involved, and regardless of how detailed your rules are, you will still be inundated with questions from applicants. Before you start to get the word out, you will need to have all of the details ironed out.
You can use your contest website to outline the terms and requirements of your contest and provide a way for potential entrants to contact you. Your application forms and essay submission forms can also be available on this website.
You may need to be prepared to spend some money on advertising to promote your contest. You can make up this cost by charging an entrance fee for contestants.
