A Quick Guide To Hosting A Successful Contest
Contests and challenges are both fun activities to be involved in on SingSnap. They not only provide motivation to sing but you also get to meet and bond with new people and create those everlasting friendships that make this community so special.
Those who hosts contests are incredible because they volunteer their time and do an amazing job at providing us entertainment and something to look forward to! If you've ever had the itch to host your own contest but didn't know where to start - this article could be for you!
The first thing you need to know before you host a contest is, it's a lot of work. Hosting a fair, cohesive contest takes time and attention to detail and not everyone is going to agree with your decision. Go in knowing that and you should be all-set.
1. Create a Theme: Part of the pre-planning of your contest is to develop a clear and concise theme. Communicate what the contest objective is: What you're looking for, what genres it will encompass, if there will be duets, if people have to learn songs, etc., The more information you give, the less surprises there will be for your contestants!
2. Choose Your Help Wisely: If you are hosting a contest with a friend or helper, make sure you are all on the same page. A team is only as good as the weakest link and the better you and your helpers get along and communicate, the smoother the process will be. Consider your schedules/availability, your experience and ensure your goals are aligned!
3. Rules and Time Frame: It is paramount to outline your goals, expectations and the timeline the contest will run on. People need to know how much of a commitment is involved before signing up. Clearly state how long is each round will last, how many people are allowed to enter, is it an elimination contest with people getting eliminated every round, or a non-elimination contest where everyone competes for the duration. Note if listening and commenting is required so people know what they're signing up for!
4. Judging Criteria: It is always a good idea to be transparent in your judging. Let your potential contestants know exactly what you will be looking for and judging them on. If you have a policy that you do not share scores, make that known prior to signing up.
5. Awards and Prizes: Snappers love their banners, so it is always a good idea to have some sort of graphic to award the winners! There are various resources on the internet available, depending on your computer/design knowledge. If you do your research and browse the current contests and challenges and find someone's artwork appealing, shoot them a message to see what programs they use. Photoshop (or GIMP) is available for those with higher design skills or other sites such as imikimi.com, Visme, Snappa, Picmonkey etc., The possibilities are endless.
6. Be Fair: When you have friends enter your contests, the waters can be murky so do everything in your power to ensure you put as much of your bias aside as possible. That is why it is always a good idea to get some folks to help you judge. The more transparent and honest you are, the more successful your contest will be!
7. Stick To Your Schedule: You created a schedule for a reason. Do everything you can to stick to it and see it through. Life happens for us all but if you make an exception for one, you would have to make it for everyone - so be cautious when navigating away from the original plan.
8. Be Present: When you start a contest, make sure you are present and checking in daily. Update your thread and communicate with your contestants. The more you show YOU care, the more they will! Encourage everyone to be kind and bring their best!
9. Be Original: If you really want a successful contest, be original and do something creative. If you see there are 3 country contests happening, do something different. Figure out who your demographic is and try to develop a theme that is different than the norm but appealing and of course - FUN!
9. Have FUN: Anything you do on SingSnap should be fun and hosting a contest is no different! The more fun you have, the more fun everyone involved will have!
We have some amazing contests hosts on this site, so if you have any advice or tips to add, drop a comment below! If you DO decide to give hosting a try - we wish you the best of luck!
Happy Hosting!
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