  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: Octobers Lie  
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Looking for something new to try? Need a little inspiration? Maybe you just want a challenge. Whatever the case, Contests and Activities can be very rewarding.
This site is overflowing with creativity which means there is always something going on. Whether you're a host, a contestant, or just plain curious, this newsletter is for you!
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There's no doubt that contest and activities inspire many wonderful items here on Writing.Com. Many of these items are just sitting in ports since the contest closed waiting for readers to find them.
I am so guilty of being a bit lazy when I create an item. I often just speed through selecting my genres and entering keywords without a second thought. I guess I'm in a hurry to get my item posted so that it can be viewed. I have also found that in the past I have used 'contest entry' or 'my entry for the poetry contest for my brief description. I'm not sure why I did this. It definitely showed that I was not taking advantage of the opportunities that Writing.Com provides to increase my exposure.
When creating an item for a contest it's so easy to type "contest entry" in the brief description. Even though it is a contest entry, there needs to be a brief description of the item itself. Do you think that the phrase, 'contest entry' is going to intrigue someone other than the judges to open your item and read it? Probably not.
I've also seen "round one" as brief descriptions. While that may be something done to keep up with entries in an ongoing contest, add a little more to entice your readers, or include round information within your item if it doesn't interfere with the hosts rules. At any rate, you can always change your brief description when the judging process is over.
When selecting genres I have found that I still have items that have 'other' or 'none'. I was very surprised at myself. Writing.Com provides a huge list to chose from and I failed to take advantage of this. I could have easily took the time to pick the genres that my item fit in, and by doing so my item may have been viewed more. I should have known better because I use the search option and I chose which genres I want to view. I have never searched for 'other' or 'none'. 
I never use 'contest' as one of my genres for an item unless my item is a contest. This little habit was learned by being a subscriber to this newsletter and it makes sense. It makes sense because when I do a genre search for 'contest' I'm looking for a contest to enter, not entries.
I have also seen many contest entries with the same title. I've done this myself. If the contest rules require your title be the same as everyone elses that's fine, but when the contest is over it maybe a good idea to change it. Make your item stand out. A reader may have all ready read one item with the same title and they may not want to read something that appears similiar.
A few members include the bitem link to the contest that inspired their entry within their static and sometimes the prompt. Personally, I really like this. I would rather see the link within the static instead of the contest name in the brief description. It's not required, but if you feel like you need to give further information on your item, then this is a better way then trying to fit it or bore readers with it in your brief description. Plus, by providing the link within your static you are promoting and advertising the contest. I'm more than likely going to click on the bitem link then search for it. It's just more convenient.  Remember, this is not required unless by the contest or activity.
The bottom line is to take the time when creating your item(s) to take advantage of every opportunity that Writing.Com offers. Brief descriptions, keywords, and genres are very important. It's up to you to use these tools to enhance your items for better exposure.
Until next time...
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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** Image ID #908224 Unavailable **
 Submitted by: Pass it on
This is a great issue, very well said. Sometimes we rush through and don't even think about the rules. Rules are important. 
I've been guilty of rushing, too. Being a past host myself definitely put things in perceptive for me. Thank you for commenting and for your support. 
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Submitted by: Lynn McKenzie
I just want to say how much I appreciate this newsletter. I found the Twilight Zone contest a couple of months ago through it and won First Prize, and I also searched around and found a dialogue contest which I won the same week!! Thanks for the help & fun.
Congratulations! Thank you for replying and most importantly, thank you for being a subscriber!
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Submitted by: Cookie ~ contemplatingareturn
You make a valid point Octobers Lie , and one that deserves attention. I noticed the same thing a couple of weeks back and I felt bad for those who may have been pushed off due to some member(s) who submitted their item more than once. Rule abiding in all of WDC forums is paramount; if we don’t follow them how can we encourage others to do the same when it comes to our own items? I hope the member(s) who did this will read this article and become a little more sympathetic towards others. Wonderful issue and thanks for advertising my contest. Cookie
Thank you so much for commenting on my last edition. Your reply definitely sums up everything I was trying to point out. Actually, I think you did a better job with your reply than I did with my newsletter. Thanks for being a subscriber! 
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Submitted by: Vivian 
Thanks for the article on following rules, Ollie. The same advice should be given for hosts of contests to have entries follow the rules for that contest. People who enter and follow the rules are very upset when entries win that didn't.
How right you are! It is very disappointing for a contestant to follow the hosts rules only to realize the host didn't care or take the time to enforce their own rules.  Thank you so much for commenting. 
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Submitted by: billwilcox
Ollie! 
Bill! You devil, you!
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Submitted by: Lexi 
Ollie-Dome Thank you for highlighting "Invalid Item" and for the encouraging comments! ~Lexi
Thank you for all your support!
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Submitted by: Wist
Thanks so much for including the "Invalid Item" in your newsletter!
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Submitted by: lifewriter
Ollie, thank you so much for bringing up the "Writing.Com Official Plug Page Rules" issues! We want everyone to enjoy the plug pages, and we want everyone to be able to have the same fair chance at exposure for their work! When members read and follow the guidelines, that saves the cleaners a lot of time from having to check and recheck each plug page daily, and then everyone's happy!
Thanks for your dedication, and that also goes to all the Cleaners. All the time and hard work does not go unnoticed.
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Submitted by: Wren
Thanks for explaining why contests don't always stay on the Activities page. I've learned (usually) to remember to put the name of the person who is running the contest on the top of my Word document as I work on an entry. That way I'm not always lost forever. I did wonder why it happened and if I'd forgotten where I found the contest in the first place.
Thanks for the good links too.
I've been victim to forgetting or losing a contest that I've written an entry for. I quickly learned a long time ago to add it to my favorites or include the bitem link within my item. Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter.
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Contests & Activities: June 07, 2006 Issue [#1083]
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