To Run a Contest

1. Question the situation for the contest.
   • Subject: What sort of contest is it? What is the focus? What do you want out of it? Will there be a prize? How will you pick the winner? Where will the contest take place?
   • Purpose: Why are you running the contest? What value will the contest offer to its participants?
   • Audience: Who will participate? How will you convince people to take part? How will people learn about it?
2. Plan the contest by completing a planning sheet. (See page 361.)
   • Contest ideas: Art competitions, engineering competitions, design contests, photo contests, essay or short story contests, code-breaking competition, film-festivals, battles of the bands
3. Research the contest.
   • Gather information and ideas for contests. Compare your idea to other contests. What has made them successful or unsuccessful? What sort of prize will generate interest?
   • Obtain permission from teachers, parents, or other necessary parties before moving forward with the contest.
4. Create the contest.
   • Introduction: Briefly explain what the contest is about. Entice the reader to participate.
   • Rules: Make the rules clear and easy to follow. Generally, you should strive for no more than three to five rules per contest.
   • Notes: Explain any special rules or considerations that will make the entry acceptable or unacceptable.
   • Media: Decide which media you will use to publicize the event—posters, fliers, social network pages, and so on.
   • Announcements: Periodically remind participants of deadlines for submission.
5. Improve the contest.
   • Evaluate: Does the contest fulfill its purpose? Does the contest offer value to the participants? Will they find it enjoyable? How could it be improved?
   • Revise: Add any rules that answer the readers’ key questions. Delete any rules that make the contest too complicated.
   • Edit: Check all print and digital materials for correct spelling and grammar.
6. Present the contest by announcing the winners through social media, in a local or school newspaper, in a newsletter, on a school Web site, or through other media. Publicize your next contest if you have one planned.