So what's next?

[Melody]

I'm already thinking about new contests - Jay will be glaring at me about now :laugh: .

I don't want to get into those little monthly draws for $10 certificates. For one thing, it would have to be for stores that ship. Even those across Canada aren't necessarily in the winner's neighbourhood, and who wants to drive 30 miles to save 10 bux?

I'm thinking of something more substantial every quarter or even every two months or something. Bigger prizes, less often. How do you guys feel about that?

Different criteria... maybe a random draw from all who have posted during that period of time or something.

Otherwise, we could still invite our sponsors to contribute prizes when they want to drum up some business and get some free advertising, and do those contests as & when.

I'm all ears for ideas - your opinion counts around here!

[_BaDgUy_]

A picture contest where 90% of the entries win a prize?

Like you said, as long as the sponsors are able to ship, I'm in for any contest!
I can't imagine myself driving to Vancouver to spend a 100$ gift certificate! Heck, even a 1000$ gift certificate would not get me over there!! :laugh:

[blainep]

and who wants to drive 30 miles to save 10 bux?


You have obviously never met my sister in law ..........

On a more serious note, still thinking of contest ideas......

[Melody]

90% win a prize? The new job doesn't pay THAT good...lol....but I do like the photo contest idea. I'd eventually like to see a contest just for those who contribue articles/profiles too. Gotta get that content up!

:laugh: @ Blaine... you're quite right, SOME people would drive any distance to save 10 bux.:rolleyes:

[blainep]

A photo contest is usually a good one.

Possibly instead of a first place/second place .........

Maybe something more in categories.

Like best planted tank, best fish photo, best invert picture .

An idea anyway.

I know Alberta Aquatica does a 'Member of the month' with gift certificates from sponsors.
The award goes to people who have contributed the most to the board in that month.
I'm not really suggesting the 'member of the month' thing so much, but maybe a contest along the lines of member contributions - like Melody's idea of submitted articles or maybe species profiles etc.

Maybe if we can continue to make more and more contacts across the country, we could look at gift certificates to a LFS in a winners local area. Provide a little cheap advertising to some stores across the country.

Another thought for prizes might come from within CAC itself. I know most months it would no problem for me to donate a couple of young fish as prize awards.

Just a few random thoughts .......

[Melody]

We contribute prizes too, but running the site is already costly so we'll have to keep it smallish until the advertising revenue goes up. We've already pushed the generosity of existing sponsors, but as we expand I'm sure it won't be a prob.

Definitly don't want to do a member of the month unless we found a way for all members to vote rather than the staff controlling it, but I do like the special draws for contributors.

Applesnail.net has a script that allows for contributed photos and all members can vote on them. That might also be something to look into in the future. I would prefer that to having a few judges I think.

Random appeals to me because it is very difficult to judge most things fairly, or without someone somewhere thinking there's something unfair about it.

That's my opinion anyways but nobody died and made me the Goddess yet...lol...still listening! ::D:

[Soggybottom]

Here's an idea the sponsors might like:
How about something like the thing VISA was running a while back, "win what you buy" contest. If you buy something from a sponsor during whatever interval of time, and win the contest, you get your purchase paid for. I dunno how this would work, or if it would work at all, just thinking out loud...

[Melody]

I'm not sure either, but I like the idea, at least for the stores to do.

My Sister won all of her baby purchases from Sears for guessing her due date - she guessed her own birthday. What are the odds? :rolleyes:

[mykiss]

Perhaps people who contribute to posts during a particular month, when the contests are in effect, would be entitled to have a chance to win a prize? That way it's easy for people to 'try' to win cause it's as simple as starting or replying to a post ( I guess it should be any post other than for sales?). It may get more people chatting and participating. These prizes can be smaller ones since it's easy to reply or make a post?

As for the picture contest, it's also a great idea! It's nice to see some people's fishes. The only thing is that it is more involved and I'm sure there are a lot of people who are like me and can't take a decent picture if their life depended on it....lol Therefore we know we don't have a chance and won't bother posting a pic. However, if it was done by a random draw e.g. a picture entry is worth 1 chance and 2 picture entries worth 2, etc.... then every one gets a chance. However, some people may take a picture of everything they have and it can get out of hand (perhaps limit the number of pictures per person?). It's a great idea but it may be difficult to set the rules and guidelines?

Sorry, just playing devil's advocate and at the same time trying to be helpful....lol

[CACAdmin]

No problem. We like to hear everyone's ideas and perspectives. All ideas will be considered.:yes: We definitely want to come up with something fun for everyone if possible. Keep the ideas coming!:smile:

[_BaDgUy_]

Just an idea off the top of my head (actually from a radio station in Montreal!)

They have a contest that is named : Win what you want....

Pretty simple for a contest! People e-mail with what they want to win, and once a week I think, the station draws an e-mail, and says on air who the person is and what they wish. The person has something like 15 minutes to phone in and win what they wanted!

[Melody]

Great ideas for sure! I'm glad to hear both sides of the coin Mr. Mykiss - saves us having to consider every angle.

I think ours would have to be "Win what you want.... under $25" lol

I would definitly like to see the draws be for participating members. That's only fair. If I got a message tomorrow that I'd won a prize from a forum I joined a year ago and never posted in, it wouldn't seem fair even to me.:NoWay: Although the forum thing is also a hobby and a way to connect, it still takes time & effort to help other people and contribute to the community overall. That deserves some respect!:yes:

We also need funding for phase 2 of our community plans and we're just your average working slave, but I think we can come up with something or other.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I agree that the draw should be amongst contributing members. It would be more incentive for people to participate. We'd have to be wary of people spamming to up their post count. A little more work for the mods but I'm sure we could handle it.

[Melody]

I don't think we'd do a count-based contest for that very reason. If you posted that month, your name goes in. If you make a habit of garbage posts, you'll have to answer to your peers :;): . Could say they have to be more than two sentences with substance. Not just "That's awesome. Way to go!"

Ooooo how about thanked posts? Then your peers decide if your post qualifies.... not sure if that would be easy to track though... thinking outloud....

[zapisto]

i love the phot contest idea even if it is really not exotic :)
i love watch phot in photo contest because i cannot take any descent shot myself , so nobody can be afraid of me :)

[Melody]

LOL Well maybe we should have two levels or something, so everyone can have a fair chance, or just do a random draw from all entrants as was mentioned.

[Katalyst]

First you guys got me into snails, then cories and shrimp...Now I'll be needing a new camera! :twitcy: :rofl: Bad influence I tell ya...

[Melody]

A used camera will be fine. :;):

[Katalyst]

A used camera will be fine. :;):
Any camera other then mine will be fine..Mine just happens to take pictures that suck with a capital suck is all. :yes:

[Melody]

Then we will have a 'Pic's that suck' category! I would win but I can't. :twitcy:

[Katalyst]

Then we will have a 'Pic's that suck' category! I would win but I can't. :twitcy:
I heart this place...

I think you should change the name to IGC Instant Gratification Central.

What can I say, I'm easy to please.

[CACAdmin]

So far I've let Melody do the talking (heck, she's better at it than I am :laugh: ). But I just want to let everyone know that I am eager to hear your ideas. It is your forum, we've hopefully made that clear from the start. We're here to talk fish and have fun. I know I am having fun and have learned a lot from those of your who've shared your knowledge and experiences with us. So let us know what you think/want. Of course we can't implement every idea but we will take each and every one under serious consideration.

I like the suggestion of a photo contest. I do think the pics should be voted upon rather than selected by the CAC staff. We could start a thread for a photo category and once all the submissions are in set up a poll for all the members to vote for their favorites.

Also, as Melody mentioned (I think) we could have a contest in which each person who submits a fish profile would be entered. We'd all benefit from your expertise with regards to a certain fish... and you'd get a chance at winning a prize!

And so, let's hear more of your ideas.

[Katalyst]

Expanding on the photo competition idea, what if there were seperate catagories:

IE: Planted Tanks, Tropical Tanks, Freshwater Tanks, Saltwater Tanks

I love the fish profile idea as well..

[Melody]

We could do a different one each time. Otherwise the prizes would be $5 each...lol.

[Katalyst]

We could do a different one each time. Otherwise the prizes would be $5 each...lol.

They'll be a plastic plant catagory right? RIGHT????? Hello? Is this thing on?

[Katalyst]

We could do a different one each time. Otherwise the prizes would be $5 each...lol.

Hmmm I'd be happy with a little medal or an individual smiley for my sigline...Then again it is ridiculously easy to please me...



most of the time...

[Melody]

LOL Definitly a plastic plant category, and a tacky tank category is a must!

Hmmm A teacher who likes fish should have a school of fish in her sig!

[Katalyst]

LOL Definitly a plastic plant category, and a tacky tank category is a must

OMG I have just the tank ornaments for that....

See I knew I *shoulda* bought that treasure chest with the skeleton.

*sigh*

[ChrissyFishy]

I let my daughter decorate one tank and I bet it would take the tackytank category by a mile!!!

[Katalyst]

How about DIY tips?

Perhaps the one's that win could be stickied in the DIY section.

Just sayin'

[Melody]

As long as we can find a way for everyone to vote on them, I'm all for it. :yes: This way the staff can also participate. They work hard and I see no reason why they can't be up for prizes. Naturally the Admin won't be eligable but everyone else should be.:thumbup:

Shame I can't enter - I'd have the tacky tank and the plastic plant categories in the bag!

[_BaDgUy_]

Any news on a new contest?? :spinny:

[Melody]

We're currently busy implementing phase II of CAC, which costs money as well as time. We'd be happy to run something if there are sponsor donations though.::D: We could try that food I see on your site... hmmm?

You're never going to ask about the contest again, are you? :laugh:

[_BaDgUy_]

That's where you are wrong!! :;):

I'm sure we could donate a few bags of the stuff!! :)

[Katalyst]

:red_dance:

[Melody]

That's where you are wrong!! :;):

I'm sure we could donate a few bags of the stuff!! :)


Way cool! Thanks :smile: . I'll get Jay to PM you & we'll get things planned.

[WaterPond]

:eek: Is it time for another one yet!? :laugh:

[CACAdmin]

Hey, how'd you know? :wideeyed: :twitcy: Yes, there is going to be another contest soon. :yes: Of course, we're not telling yet what it's going to be. That'll be a surprise.::D: We're still working out the details. Stay tuned...

[Slipstream]

oo.. goody goody.. cant wait :) Maybe ill be able to win something for once :p

[ChrissyFishy]

YAY!!!!:pompom: this forum has great contests!!!!:Applaud:

[Canadian]

how do people take good pictures of fish that dont stop moving?

[Melody]

Have a look at the links in this thread (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168).

[happy_pitbull]

YAY!!!!:pompom: this forum has great contests!!!!:Applaud:


This forum has wonderful contests !

I have tried to get my local forum to do the same sort of thing, but no luck as of yet... but heres hoping ! This forum is a great inspiration for me :wink:



Min

[CACAdmin]

:secret: New Contest to be announced later today... stay tuned.