Contest with guaranteed multiple prizes

jlinds72 & other mods,

I would like to start a contest with guaranteed multiple prizes.

I usually find it hard to pick just one winner.

One person may have multiple ideas we like and could win multiple prizes or
other designers that did not win would still get something for their effort.

The prize pool, as an example, would be as follows for $175 total

1st 75
2nd 40
3rd 20
4th 20
5th 20

Of course its more admin for multiple prizes at the end, but for the contest holder (me) it is simpler to send one payment, pick the winners and send the one e-mail.

I can also keep it at one winner and offer the other prizes after the contest .

Any thoughts on guaranteed multiple prizes?

Are designers more motivated to enter a content where you can win something instead of all or nothing?

markcw

Hi Mark -

Personally, I think that multiple prizes are a great way to go! I handle all of the prize funds, and I don't have a problem with dispersing multiple prizes - as long as I know up front that it will be split up. It's completely up to you if you wish to deposit 1 lump sum, and i'll take care of transferring it to all of the winners at the end of your contest - or if you want to just deposit the 1st place prize.

Honestly, I would think that the designers would like the odds better of entering a contest where there is more of a chance to win at least something for all of their hard efforts vs. just 1 prize. In addition, I would think that they would feel more confident about entering if all of the prize funds were already guaranteed through us as well. I"m sure you'll hear from others if they feel the same or otherwise.

If you do wish for me to split prize funds, make sure that it is stated again when you declare the winner, also including how much is to go to each winner. Just as a side note - of course you would be charged the 10% admin. fee only once per deposit - regardless of how many people I need to split it up amongst.

Looking forward to your new contests!
~Jenn

Jenn,

I agree with you. Of course you will get a larger commision since all the money is guaranteed. I need to draw up the rules and post the contest later tonight or tomorrow unless I see alot of negative comments later today.

One thing I remembered... if I can't pick 5 winners for some reason, the rest of the money will go to the top 1-2-3-4 winners otherwise you would need to rebate me extra dollars. That gets complicated and it would allow someone to say 10 prizes, award one, and get a refund of all the other prize dollars.

That would be a bummer if I were a designer.

mark

I welcome your idea Mark, and im sure that a lot of people around will like it. But IMHO when i place an entry, i do it thinking it will be the winner. If i dont win, then i keep my work as a training for myself. Some people will find great to get some buxs for their effort and time expend, but i am of the ones who believe that is "better nothing than making your work cheap".

So it will be nice that the admins state along with the requirements of your contest that the members keep the right to accept or not the "consolation" prize. Besides that, i think this is a good idea and agree with Jenn about how a lot of members will like to have more odds to get a "slice from the cake".

Good luck on your contest and thanks for hosting them on DC.net

Runben,

Your point is well taken.

If a designer does not take the dollars it would be distributed to the remaining winners accepting the prizes.

Perhaps 3 winners max would make it more reasonable.

As long as I keep all rights to the winning design, the 2nd and 3rd place designers can reuse as long as they let it be known it is not exclusive.

thanks for the input

mark

Hi, Mark:

I think also that is a great idea to establish multiple prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winner maximum. But I believe at least the first prize must keep the rule of the minimum prize per winner for a webdesign and the other 2 not less than 75 or 50 dolars each one. I think a lot more designers will be motivated to enter a contest if the prizes are higher and with that you will be getting extra quality for the winners. Also 75 dolars for a 2nd and 3rd position is something nobody will refuse, but less I believe it's not too fair.

Take care,

Will,

I just started a contest last night with less than $75 for 2nd and 3rd. The option is with that designer to accept the 2nd and 3rd prizes. If they do not accept, the winner gets more money. So by not accepting, you are actually increasing the value of the prize to the winner. If the consolation prize is accepted, the designer keeps the design as a non-exclusive since I would have a copy of it.

I see the problem for some seeing the devaluation of the work however lets talk about other contests lets say golf....

Phil Mickelson is a multi millionare because he won alot of money by finishing 2nd to 10th place, hardly ever having won. If he refused any payment unless he won, he would not have any sponsors and could not continue to golf which I am sure he loves to do. Everyone still thinks he is a great golfer with a little bad luck in taking the top prize. By the way, the prize money is set before you enter the contest and 2nd and 3rd are not the same as the 1st place prize.

In art, I am sure Picasso did not win all the contests. I bet those paintings in 2nd and 3rd place were sold at some point. Any many of those had many prints made thus reselling them.

As a former developer of software and a computer consultant, I do understand how it is emotional to let something go for what is considered cheap or to accept a job for less than the normal hourly wage you get. However, when you gotta eat and pay the mortagage, other logic kicks in.

The multi prize contest should be debated among the designers and let Jenn know if you want any more of those after the one I started . If minimums are set for 2nd and 3rd place, then the designers would have to release all rights and cannot refuse to accept that condition. In my contest, you still keep the rights to sell again or you can refuse the money and keep all rights.


mark

Mark - I have posted your new contest with the multiple prizes, and I think the best thing to do is to see how this goes. If a majority of the designers respond positively to it, then I think that we'll have our answer as to whether or not it's an acceptable option.

I agree that the first place prize should be no less than the minimul required amount, as that is only fair. As far as the 2nd & 3rd places - I feel that since it's more of a "consolation" prize, and recognition of their hard work as well, that it would be acceptable for those to be less - the option to decline is a very viable option, and also retaining the ownership rights is also a good stipulation.

Good luck with your contest! We'll discuss once your new contest is completed, to see what the designers' thoughts are on it at that time.

~Jenn