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Guide to Generating a Forum Contest
Hello! Before I begin to explain this tutorial, I'd like to point out that many players have as much equal talent in their building/skinning/art skills as being able to present a contest about it. Of course, it may be due to a recent profile milestone such as subscribers, total page views, submissions etc. Do you ever feel you need a good attractive contest post no matter what you do in Minecraft at all? Say aloha to this first tutorial of mine: the Forum Contest Tutorial.
Prologue - Examine other posts and their structures:
I will give you some examples of some poorly made posts (in my opinion). I will consider the fact that these people posted on impulse, but nevertheless, it does leave a bad impression. I won't disclose the people who made these posts. (three in total)
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Here are some better examples done recently that you could follow. I will disclose some names so you could ask them for advice.
These examples explain that there are obviously some people with presentation issues, others with great talent. How would a simple, undetailed contest post expect to attract as many participants as that in professional presentations? That is the hard truth, but through this tutorial, you WILL push through to perfect your own forum challenge in many ways possible.
Step One - Decide what type of contest you should make
It's easy! Just a plain skinning contest! Oh wait... NOPE. No one would appreciate some mediocre contest that would end up in failure without some fascinating idea. Even with persuading the people with grand prizes like Steam games and the so-called "bragging rights", there must be some original theme you have that could blow the socks off of everyone else in the forum. I could give you some hints - Specific Book-related/TV-Show related characters, Hobby Masters, Cosmo Cowboys (I don't know what else...).
If it were to be a Project Contest, specify the type of project, size limit and date. Some players can easily take the lead with mindblowing projects of their own, entertaining at least 50 diamonds or more. Try to limit the parameters of the contest so that almost everyone has an equal chance. For a better challenge, invent some restrictions to the contest (that will come under Contest rules) such as specific blocks/palettes required, needs redstone etc. Of course, don't forget an original theme, though I recommend particularly either country-based architecture or fantasy build.
For any other kinds of contests, always remember to stay specific in your theme and description, especially blogs and art contests. These are more rare nowadays, and are more likely to attract many participants.
Step Two - Setting the structure of a contest
Here is a picture depicting a basic professional contest structure: (Comment if I missed anything!)
Some details given here and in the next section:
1. Contest Title - Must relate to the theme and/or reason
2. Contest Reason - Should be valid (1000 subscribers should mean you actually do have 1000 subscribers :P)
3. Judging Criteria - Must have points of judging individual submissions (You may follow PMC way of judging, such as Originality, Technique and Execution: -/10). This makes judging reliable and fair to each and every participant.
4. Participant List - Include every player who chooses to join, and update the participant details if they submitted their work (include the URL or picture they sent)
5. Conclusive Greeting - Doesn't really have to be complicated, just a simple good luck :)
AVOID making a separate blog or project page just for the contest details and download of a required landscape. People tend to ignore the URL you give unless you provide contest details in the forum post alone.
Step Three - Contest Rules
There are two types of regulations (that I came up with) - the PMC Rules, and the Contest Rules. The PMC rules just include the usual:
- PMC Rules and Guidelines
- No submissions made before the contest origin
- No copying or changing other people's work
- No inappropriate or irrelevant work etc
The Contest rules, however, may vary from restricting build limit to specifying a colour palette. All this is to raise the challenge you wish to give to the participants, but be careful not to make it seem complicated, such as redstone circuits.
Lastly, aim for a deadline that you and most judges are convenient with - try not to clash this deadline with other work you have such as school or jobs.
Step Four - Choosing your Judges
Judges like local friends may not be suitable, especially those who never experienced Minecraft. Unless the contest is about art or blogs, projects and skins cannot be simply judged because either they don't own the game, nor think in the way we do. I suggest PMC friends who know their way around your theme/type of contest, such as projects and skin shading.
Of course, you may accept applicants from the forum post, but to be sure they are well qualified, tell them to private message you their proficiency with the contest type, or teach them how judging is done based on the criteria. If you are confident, however, that they are good enough, go ahead and recruit them! Try not to recruit too many judges because, like PMC, the judging phase may take more time, causing participants, or even you, to forget the contest happened at all.
Step Five - Choosing the Awards
Be sure you keep the promise you make in the award section! Often most people abandon their contests simply because they cannot afford the prizes, or don't feel like giving them at all. Make sure your prizes are easy enough for you to do (such as skin request or a project render).
Some awards do attract more people than others, such as Steam games and interviews. Personally I think interviews and profile recognition is best because of enhancing the winner's popularity, as much as yours. Several players already indulge in interview blogs that usually win pop reel over time. Eventually you will take a liking to playing with the winner in Minecraft itself! If that is not what you want, perhaps simple requests or diamonds plus subscription may be enough for the top three contestants.
I also recommend making themed trophy badges specified for the contest. They may be done either by you or by other requested users. They should normally be a small size that can fit in a profile's sidebar. At best, make four separate badges: one for participation and three for the top three contestants.
Well, it looks like most of the contest guidelines are taken care of. Also, appear smart and well educated by increasing your vocabulary and correcting any grammar mistakes! If you ever want to create your own contest, then use this as reference! Hope you enjoyed it!
If you like this blog, give it a diamond! If you want to see more of my work, subscribe!
Hello! Before I begin to explain this tutorial, I'd like to point out that many players have as much equal talent in their building/skinning/art skills as being able to present a contest about it. Of course, it may be due to a recent profile milestone such as subscribers, total page views, submissions etc. Do you ever feel you need a good attractive contest post no matter what you do in Minecraft at all? Say aloha to this first tutorial of mine: the Forum Contest Tutorial.
Prologue - Examine other posts and their structures:
I will give you some examples of some poorly made posts (in my opinion). I will consider the fact that these people posted on impulse, but nevertheless, it does leave a bad impression. I won't disclose the people who made these posts. (three in total)
Bad Examples
--------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some better examples done recently that you could follow. I will disclose some names so you could ask them for advice.
Good Examples
Post done by Golden Princess 12
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Post done by LostBedouin
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Post done by LostBedouin
Step One - Decide what type of contest you should make
It's easy! Just a plain skinning contest! Oh wait... NOPE. No one would appreciate some mediocre contest that would end up in failure without some fascinating idea. Even with persuading the people with grand prizes like Steam games and the so-called "bragging rights", there must be some original theme you have that could blow the socks off of everyone else in the forum. I could give you some hints - Specific Book-related/TV-Show related characters, Hobby Masters, Cosmo Cowboys (I don't know what else...).
If it were to be a Project Contest, specify the type of project, size limit and date. Some players can easily take the lead with mindblowing projects of their own, entertaining at least 50 diamonds or more. Try to limit the parameters of the contest so that almost everyone has an equal chance. For a better challenge, invent some restrictions to the contest (that will come under Contest rules) such as specific blocks/palettes required, needs redstone etc. Of course, don't forget an original theme, though I recommend particularly either country-based architecture or fantasy build.
For any other kinds of contests, always remember to stay specific in your theme and description, especially blogs and art contests. These are more rare nowadays, and are more likely to attract many participants.
Step Two - Setting the structure of a contest
Here is a picture depicting a basic professional contest structure: (Comment if I missed anything!)
Some details given here and in the next section:
1. Contest Title - Must relate to the theme and/or reason
2. Contest Reason - Should be valid (1000 subscribers should mean you actually do have 1000 subscribers :P)
3. Judging Criteria - Must have points of judging individual submissions (You may follow PMC way of judging, such as Originality, Technique and Execution: -/10). This makes judging reliable and fair to each and every participant.
4. Participant List - Include every player who chooses to join, and update the participant details if they submitted their work (include the URL or picture they sent)
5. Conclusive Greeting - Doesn't really have to be complicated, just a simple good luck :)
AVOID making a separate blog or project page just for the contest details and download of a required landscape. People tend to ignore the URL you give unless you provide contest details in the forum post alone.
Step Three - Contest Rules
There are two types of regulations (that I came up with) - the PMC Rules, and the Contest Rules. The PMC rules just include the usual:
- PMC Rules and Guidelines
- No submissions made before the contest origin
- No copying or changing other people's work
- No inappropriate or irrelevant work etc
The Contest rules, however, may vary from restricting build limit to specifying a colour palette. All this is to raise the challenge you wish to give to the participants, but be careful not to make it seem complicated, such as redstone circuits.
Lastly, aim for a deadline that you and most judges are convenient with - try not to clash this deadline with other work you have such as school or jobs.
Step Four - Choosing your Judges
Judges like local friends may not be suitable, especially those who never experienced Minecraft. Unless the contest is about art or blogs, projects and skins cannot be simply judged because either they don't own the game, nor think in the way we do. I suggest PMC friends who know their way around your theme/type of contest, such as projects and skin shading.
Of course, you may accept applicants from the forum post, but to be sure they are well qualified, tell them to private message you their proficiency with the contest type, or teach them how judging is done based on the criteria. If you are confident, however, that they are good enough, go ahead and recruit them! Try not to recruit too many judges because, like PMC, the judging phase may take more time, causing participants, or even you, to forget the contest happened at all.
Step Five - Choosing the Awards
Be sure you keep the promise you make in the award section! Often most people abandon their contests simply because they cannot afford the prizes, or don't feel like giving them at all. Make sure your prizes are easy enough for you to do (such as skin request or a project render).
Some awards do attract more people than others, such as Steam games and interviews. Personally I think interviews and profile recognition is best because of enhancing the winner's popularity, as much as yours. Several players already indulge in interview blogs that usually win pop reel over time. Eventually you will take a liking to playing with the winner in Minecraft itself! If that is not what you want, perhaps simple requests or diamonds plus subscription may be enough for the top three contestants.
I also recommend making themed trophy badges specified for the contest. They may be done either by you or by other requested users. They should normally be a small size that can fit in a profile's sidebar. At best, make four separate badges: one for participation and three for the top three contestants.
Well, it looks like most of the contest guidelines are taken care of. Also, appear smart and well educated by increasing your vocabulary and correcting any grammar mistakes! If you ever want to create your own contest, then use this as reference! Hope you enjoyed it!
If you like this blog, give it a diamond! If you want to see more of my work, subscribe!
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