I was thinking of this contest I tweeted and discussed with Rilla about 4 months back in April.
I’m planning a “Site Glamour” contest. It’s slightly different from the usual Site of the Month, prizes and winning criteria are different.
Every site need something interesting once in a while and seriously, I won’t consider Amour Chaleur as an interactive site at all. The usual SOTM isn’t really that interactive so I thought of something which engages the participants in discussions and other activities. A few things to note is that I’m not fond of pure voting decisions but completely removing the voting part would take away all the “fun” right? 
This is what I have plan to decide the winner:
- 20% based on my personal opinions regarding the website (layout, content, coding etc.)
- 20% based on personal opinions of 2 random real life friends of mine with no designing experience. I thought it’ll be good to let someone who doesn’t do web designing to look at a website and determine whether they like it or not. In addition, they are independent 3rd parties so their opinions will most probably be fair.
- 30% based on voting
- 30% based on their answer/discussion to a web/graphic/life related question.
I actually wanted to add more activities but I couldn’t thought of any. Any suggestions to make it more interesting and motivate others to join? 
Regarding the prize, I was thinking there could be a special illustration for the winner on top of the usual graphic award and link advertisements. Winners will be permanently listed on the winners page. =D I may do did a special icon next to the RSS link for the winner and contest page so that their link is on every page of the site.
Ivy’s suggestion gave me another idea. You know I was thinking whether to make this a bigger scale annual/semi annual “event” instead of a quarterly one. For example, there’s a few stages (with different discussions) or maybe different stages have different activities. Maybe stage 1 we have a discussion. Stage 2 could be comic/cartoon drawing (for eg.) or something else. That would something be like a talent contest except that it’s online. Of course, if it was an annual/semi annual event I think the prize would have to be more than just an illustration. Maybe a coded layout/WordPress theme?
What do you think? Tell me what would encourage you to join? I’ve love to hear your opinions and suggestions. :spin:
On a side note, I may be moving host soon due to some issues with the current host. I’ll update again about this next week.
7 August, 2009 at 2:55 pm
OMG I CAN SEE UR SITE NOOW~!! :P :P :P Am using a computer at school :P
Wow that would be a very grand contest if it were half a year but i think that’s too long though. Just my opinion :P! Am not sure if I can join if there’s a talent part though because am kinda not good with photoshop. I like the discussion part though! :P hehee
Can’t wait for your contest! I think I’ll have one too though not as big
hehe tc!
13 August, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Ah-ha! I’m moving host soon so I hope you will be able to view the website at home soon.
Hmmm… true. I thought the participants might lose interest in it if the contest is dragging for too long, maybe about 3 to 4 months time for the contest but I haven’t decide how many times to hold it for. I’ll just try it once and look at the response before deciding. Being good at Photoshop is not a big deal, it’ll mostly involves discussions etc, I won’t want it to be fully concentrated on designing as it wouldn’t be far for some people. 
7 August, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Yea, I don’t like sites that are just blogs, I think every site should have content, which is why I try and add so much to mine, so it appeals to everyone. I just wish I could get more visitors at times. I think I would join the contest if it actually was sites and not just blogs.
13 August, 2009 at 3:52 pm
What do you mean by it actually was sites and not just blogs?
6 August, 2009 at 11:38 pm
The contest sounds like a great idea! I would definitely enter. It’s so nice to see somebody doing something different from the usual SOTM contests. And I could definitely help you advertise it if you’d like. Sounds like fun!
6 August, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Hahah, your new theme is super adorable (: I’d definitely be interested in entering and/or advertising for your contest, if you hold it.
6 August, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Hee, thanks!
I’m so glad to have some support. I think it really needs some advertising. I’m really keen to hold the contest, most probably starting next weekend? I still have got some planning to do and hope to see more suggestions and opinions about it. =D
6 August, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I heard of that contest from your Twitter!
I think it sounds great, actually! I hope you get lots of contestants! 
Good luck on it!
You’re moving to a new host? Which host are you moving to?
Take care<3
6 August, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Thanks. I hope so as well.
Yup, I’m having a bit of problem with the current host and price isn’t that competitive as compared to US hosting. I’m planning to move to Holdfire soon. The prices and service seems to be good for my budget. 
6 August, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Thanks! Wow, your new theme is terrific! Beautiful!
6 August, 2009 at 5:06 am
The contest sounds like a great idea! If I had the time I would join… Anyway, great new website layout! Sorry if that’s late. I haven’t been here for a while.
6 August, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Thanks. I hope I can get more people to join but currently no one seems to be interested in it.
5 August, 2009 at 10:20 am
Ooh, I’m using Safari now, and the only downside is that I don’t have any bookmarks or information saved, so I have to type my details back in. :P
Aww, that’s so sweet that Chewy keeps those sorts of things. James isn’t one to do so, but he seems to remember more about our relationship than I do. XD
6 August, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Oh, can’t you import the settings back into Safari?
5 August, 2009 at 2:24 am
anyhow, ADORABLE layout. And great idea on the contest. I think a lot of people would be interested, and I like the idea of not having it based purely on votes, because those tend to bring clique-mass votings. Have fun with the contest! I might even consider entering if I’m not too busy when it starts
5 August, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I doubt many people would be interested, I might need some help with advertising this contest.
4 August, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Ooh, I was actually planning a domain “tournament” for my website’s birthday in October. I had the idea of having multiple rounds and things, with multiple prizes. You might not do it that way, but Ivy’s suggestion reminded me of that, haha. I have been planning already, because I want to give away quite a few domains.
Personally I am not one for coded layouts and themes because I do it on my own. But I’m sure other people would be interested!
I just realised my gravatar matches with your colour scheme; sort of. :P
4 August, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Talking about website’s birthday. I lost count of which month my website was started back in 2004 but I think Amour Chaleur was in December. Hahaha!
Good luck with the domain contest. =D
I’m not thinking of multiple prizes because it’s a bit tedious for me to do so many illustrations. :P Regarding the coded layout/WP theme, I think I can give them a few options like illustration, layout, WP theme or … some other things I haven’t thought of at the moment. :P
Right, I noticed that as well. Nice
4 August, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Great idea, Dayna! What about accompanying with an entry. You set the topic (or two), and have all the participants write about what they think. The one that garners the most comments or is most well-written or a mixture of a few criteria have a higher chance of winning.
4 August, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Oh, that’s a great idea!
To do a short entry/article about the topic and then start the discussion about what they have written. I really like this idea.
You know I was thinking whether to make this a bigger scale annual “event” instead of a quarterly one. For example, there’s a few stages (with different discussions) or maybe different stages have different activities. Maybe stage 1 we have a discussion. Stage 2 could be comic/cartoon drawing (for eg.) or something else. That would something be like a talent contest except that it’s online. :P
Of course, if it was an annual event I think the prize would have to be more than just an illustration. Maybe a coded layout/WordPress theme? What do you think about this? Would it be more interesting this way?
11 August, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Yups, if it’s going to take more time from the participants, then the reward should be a bit more enticing. A personalized wordpress theme sounds like a great idea!
It’ll definitely be more interesting and will help generate for clout for you. 
4 August, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I love the idea, Dayna! I remember having a domain competition and allowing my real life friends to have input because their view is also important!
The prizes even sound great; I’m sure someone would love a special illustration of yours; they’re beautiful.
4 August, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Yup, I think having the opinions of those who are not really into web or graphic designing is not a bad idea actually.
I hope the illustration is tempting enough to encourage more people to join.
5 August, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Good idea but IMHO giving a WP template with amourchaleur’s style as a prize would be more tempting for people.
5 August, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Amour Chaleur’s style? What kind of style is that? Hahaha!