Unofficial prize contests

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   Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

   Are there any rules or restrictions for arranging unofficial prize contests on HubPages - for example, an author contest?

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      darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If an active community member was to propose a contest, I'd be open to hearing what it was about. It wouldn't have to be official, but as long as HubPages approves of it and it's not just a copy of an existing contest/competition/challenge and it didn't run at the same time as the official contests then I imagine it wouldn't be a problem.
      
      I do see a problem with a brand new member and their first post being a proposed contest. Can I trust such a person? They need to earn trust. By being around for a while and interacting.

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         Linuxariaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I wonder who can be so fool, to come here and try to do something new for the community, these people must not be trusted for sure.

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            darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I've seen plenty of new people come along, request things that already exist, want things changed that work just fine, give advice that doesn't work, ask people to join their chatrooms and forums and websites and disappear as quick as they arrived.
            
            If you want to do something for the community, become a part of it, rather than try and become a leader within 24 to 48 hours.
            
            Make a dozen hubs before you think yourself capable of judging others.

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               Linuxariaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               So my proposal for a different contest is saw as "try to become a leader" ??
               
               Wow hubpages environment is really competitive
               
               And i'm not a judge of anything, because i've no experience id doing that.
               
               I'll try to publish a dozen hub like suggested, also if i've found today my first hub under review...wonder who is flagging it  and why

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                  Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  If your Hub is under review, either an automated filter has been triggered, or a HubPages staff moderator has decided it needs review.
                  
                  Hubbers can "flag" a Hub, but that does nothing to the Hub and you wouldn't even know it had happened.  All a flag does is ask a HubPages staffer to take a look at the Hub because there might be a problem.  If the staffer thinks there might be a problem, they'll unpublish it - otherwise they'll do nothing.

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                  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  You're here for little more than a day and you want to organize a contest. And you already had yourself down as a judge.
                  
                  Try reading everything I've said on the matter thus far. I sign up to new sites all the time. I actually make an effort to integrate myself into a community. That takes time.

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   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   I do not know the answer but I will give the thread a bump and hopefully we can both learn something new today.

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   paradigmsearchposted 14 years ago

   I’ll give a bump to that!

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   rancidTasteposted 14 years ago

   I wish to attend the contest with some of my personal photo shots...
   
   So, waiting....
   
   But still now... HubPages may not support this... so far I know. If anyone know about this plz tell me....
   
   thnaks
   

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   Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

   Everyone, I really do appreciate your help.

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   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Organise a format and email them with it...
   I think it is a good idea to do something long these lines.
   If HP don't want it.... take it off site.. you will still get the support
   
   Good on you mate!

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      Website Examinerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Pearldiver, I also have the nagging suspicion that HP would not appreciate people doing prize contests on site without their endorsement. The site could soon become a bonanza of contests, otherwise...

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   Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

   Thank you Darkside. I appreciate your point of view. My question was unrelated to any other contests being planned. The contest I had in mind was an author contest, one of fiction stories. It is clear by now that HubPages must approve. If this goes forward, I'd like to seek your input at that time.

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   Fiction Tellerposted 14 years ago

   Good question, WE.  Contests, whether official or unofficial, are a legal quagmire for websites.  They are outlawed in some countries (participating in them could get the citizens/subjects into serious trouble) and in others there are rules you have to follow to make them legal.  It's why the terms and conditions you always see on contests exist and why those eligible are usually limited by country of residence.  Even if the prize isn't money, the legal implications are complex. 
   
   So yes, you'd need HubPages' approval.

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      Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's true, Fiction Teller.
      
      WE, why not have a Challenge instead of a contest?  Projects like Hubtrails or the 60DC have no issues because they're not offering prizes, but the group effort motivates people. 
      
      As it happens, HubPages picked up on both those projects and supported them, but they started without any official sanction.

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         Website Examinerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Marisa, I have been working with a group of authors for some time. Also, I have been reviewing serial fiction writers on this site. I know what they are working on, and am unsure if they'd be able to manage the pressure of a challenge.
         
         Then again, I am learning a lot from the replies I've been receiving, and am sure glad I asked in advance.

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   Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

   Thanks Fiction Teller, sounds like I'd better do some homework for a change.

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    Randy Godwinposted 14 years ago

    A "Flash Fiction" type contest would be fun, but there is no way to determine the winner unless judges were selected to choose the winner.  The selection of those doing the judging would be the most difficult aspect of these contests.
    
    Since there is no other way of choosing the best story, poem, etc. judges would be essential.  Otherwise, it would be merely a popularity contest if the entries were only judged by the comments or rates on the hub itself.
    
    Perhaps accolades instead of prizes would be acceptable to many entrants.  Just a thought!

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    Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

    Randy Godwin, I agree with the need for judges. We'd have to look at the concept for reputable writing contests. Clearly, I'd be disqualified as a judge, as I know most of the contestants.
    
    The issue with prizes is that the authors need money to further their writing careers. But the more I hear, the more it sounds like something better handled off site.
    
    A contest here could well be a challenge, flash fiction sounds like a good idea; new writers can learn a lot from having to perform under time pressure.

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       Randy Godwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I think many of us are looking for a break from writing hubs for money.  Not that this can't be enjoyable, but it can be a drudge for those of us who enjoy creative writing.  Contests have their own unique thrills, whether they are entered for money, or merely self satisfaction for the author.

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          Website Examinerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          That captures the spirit behind my idea.

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    KFlippinposted 14 years ago

    That ridiculously disappointing Dark and Stormy Night contest business was proposed by a hubber wasn't it?   So can't imagine why it would be frowned on to host/implement/instigate another 'creative writing' contest.....but then what do I know! And it now occurs to me that HP staff judged that one, so I suppose they like that role, the judging role, so I'd say that would impact who would bother to participate, knowing or assuming HP staff would be the judges.......just some late night tired thoughts...and there is as always great spirit behind your ideas.

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    Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

    KFlippin, you make some excellent points. I'm still learning...

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    sugzposted 14 years ago

    for the last few days i've been thinking about running a comp.. anyone gona kick me for it? where is the originality here? i joined hub because it was friendly and helpful and obliging to newbies and welcomeing.. starting to get a different view lately!
    
    everyone is entitled to their opinion and no one has been hurt by anyone wanting to create a comp, no ones getting paid for it, hub pages aren't going to lose people from it.. if anything, they may gain soemthing.. so might everyone whos so far complained.
    so shoot me.. i speak my mind and will stand up for those who i feel are beign wronged.
    
    a first time hub offering a comp.. so what. build a bridge, i'll supply hammer and nails
    let people have their fun..

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       Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Sugz, if there are going to be prizes there are all kinds of legalities involved.  That's not HubPages' fault.
       
       There have been several Challenges and Projects (with no prizes) started by Hubbers - for instance, Hubtrails where everyone joins in and writes travel Hubs, or the 60 Day Challenge where everyone writes 30 Hubs then spends 30 days on concentrated promotion. 
       
       However, Ohma (who ran the Hubtrails project) will tell you that these Hubber-initiated projects always turn out to be more difficult to run than you expect, even for an experienced Hubber - so it's a good idea to get used to the HubPages platform first, before you decide to run one.

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       darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Who's being wronged?

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    sunforgedposted 14 years ago

    Is it just me or has it been weeks since you last popped in here?

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       darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Been offline. Moved house.

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    sunforgedposted 14 years ago

    Unplugged can be liberating. Your back must be killing you, how far did you carry it.

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       darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I carried it a little bit at a time.
       
       Not living in the country any more. Now in suburbia. I've gone from satellite internet (with 3 gig peak and 6 gig off peak quota per month... which is then slowed, which it was, with a week or two before the month ran out) to living a block away from the telephone exchange. Superfast internets!

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    Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

    Who is the leader?
    
    

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    thisisoliposted 14 years ago

    I would email Hubpages if you are offering prizes, they may not want you to associate it with their brand (ie host it on Hubpages).

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    Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

    Thisisoli, that is sound advice, I appreciate it.

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