Running a contest?

VydorScope · 10-23-2011, 07:28 AM

If I wanted to run a contest on my web site to raise money can I do that? You know something like "Make a donation and be automatically entered to win a free print edition of my lastest book"? Oh, I live in Virginia, USA but my server is in Texas, USA so I do not know if that matters?

Thanks!

mr ploppy · 10-23-2011, 10:03 AM

Check your local lottery laws, but requiring a donation would outlaw it in several states so you would need to put void where prohibited.

I doubt you would get many takers either way. People only really gamble when the stakes are low and the prize is high.

Keryl Raist · 10-24-2011, 07:30 PM

I'd say it's more trouble than it's worth. A discrete: "Like my site? Help pay for it's upkeep with a dontation." button is probably a better option.

Or, try more direct, lower the cost of your book and sell it for however much an entry to your contest would have been.

chrisanthropic · 10-24-2011, 08:02 PM

True, but if you are trying to raise some money Kickstarter is a great tool. We used it for my wife's book recently and while we didn't make fistfuls of money we did manage to raise enough to place an order of print books from createspace and raised some awareness of her book in general.

Depending on your goal it may be worthwhile.

VydorScope · 10-24-2011, 08:05 PM

Well book one is already free

It was just a random idea I had and figured I was not the only one to ever think of it so was wondering how bad it might be.

chrisanthropic · 10-24-2011, 08:07 PM

The book may be free but if you are looking to raise money for any aspect of it you can still get people to donate to the cause. The Kickstarter community is just looking for chances to support artists they enjoy. Seriously.

(No, I'm not in any way affiliated, I just like the site, their concept and have supported a few projects there myself)

VydorScope · 10-24-2011, 08:12 PM

THanks, I will check Kickstart out.

WPotocki · 10-25-2011, 06:13 PM

Yeah, I don't think it's a very good idea.

I know writers giving away free kindles for the holiday, so I can't see people spending money to win a free book.

And I only wish I had won one of those kindles!

Sweet.

Anke Wehner · 10-26-2011, 05:14 AM

You'd be competing with writers doing "giveaways" where people can win a free book if they leave a comment on a blog post, or retweet a message about the giveaway (this is to get your name around on Twitter; I think it's obnoxious), or stuff like that which doesn't cost money, so I can't see many people taking you up on it.

10-23-2011, 07:28 AM	#1
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Running a contest? If I wanted to run a contest on my web site to raise money can I do that? You know something like "Make a donation and be automatically entered to win a free print edition of my lastest book"? Oh, I live in Virginia, USA but my server is in Texas, USA so I do not know if that matters? Thanks!

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10-23-2011, 10:03 AM	#2
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Check your local lottery laws, but requiring a donation would outlaw it in several states so you would need to put void where prohibited. I doubt you would get many takers either way. People only really gamble when the stakes are low and the prize is high.

10-24-2011, 07:30 PM	#3
Keryl Raist Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 379182 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Device: Kindle for PC	I'd say it's more trouble than it's worth. A discrete: "Like my site? Help pay for it's upkeep with a dontation." button is probably a better option. Or, try more direct, lower the cost of your book and sell it for however much an entry to your contest would have been.

10-24-2011, 08:02 PM	#4
chrisanthropic Fiend Posts: 148 Karma: 559930 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	True, but if you are trying to raise some money Kickstarter is a great tool. We used it for my wife's book recently and while we didn't make fistfuls of money we did manage to raise enough to place an order of print books from createspace and raised some awareness of her book in general. Depending on your goal it may be worthwhile.

10-24-2011, 08:05 PM	#5
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Well book one is already free It was just a random idea I had and figured I was not the only one to ever think of it so was wondering how bad it might be.

10-24-2011, 08:07 PM	#6
chrisanthropic Fiend Posts: 148 Karma: 559930 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	The book may be free but if you are looking to raise money for any aspect of it you can still get people to donate to the cause. The Kickstarter community is just looking for chances to support artists they enjoy. Seriously. (No, I'm not in any way affiliated, I just like the site, their concept and have supported a few projects there myself)

10-24-2011, 08:12 PM	#7
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	THanks, I will check Kickstart out.

10-25-2011, 06:13 PM	#8
WPotocki Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 399622 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NYC Device: none	Yeah, I don't think it's a very good idea. I know writers giving away free kindles for the holiday, so I can't see people spending money to win a free book. And I only wish I had won one of those kindles! Sweet.

10-26-2011, 05:14 AM	#9
Anke Wehner Addict Posts: 249 Karma: 177956 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany Device: PRS-650	You'd be competing with writers doing "giveaways" where people can win a free book if they leave a comment on a blog post, or retweet a message about the giveaway (this is to get your name around on Twitter; I think it's obnoxious), or stuff like that which doesn't cost money, so I can't see many people taking you up on it.