The purpose might be as follows :
- To increase readers
- To increase RSS Subscriber
- To Increase Incoming Links
- To increase page ranks
- Improve Site Layout
If you got an answer for the above question then we can study on how we can effectively make a contest in your blog. And here are my suggestions
To Increase Readers
If you plan to increase your reader, I would suggest to ask your participants to subscribe via email and ask them to comment in your blog. By doing this you are able to increase conversation in your post and this might be the start of long time relationship with your new readers. You may also give some incentives to your highest commenter like what Ambo did on his blog which is seems to be very effective.
To Increase RSS Subscriber
If your purpose is just to increase your RSS Feed subscriber is to tell them to subscribe at your feeds and comment if they have already subscribed.
To Increase Incoming Links
Tell them to pick and link any of your post, Then ask them to comment in their blog regarding that post. It might be a positive comment or a negative comment. You must be prepared to accept it and be prepared to answers question that might be asked by your reader
To Increase Page Ranks
If you really want to increase page ranks, either in Technorati, Google, Alexa etc.. The most important aspect is a one way link to your blog with a proper keyword. Provide your participant with about 10 set of keywords where you want your blog or site to rank and let them use it in linking at your post. Having only 1 keyword might endanger your blog to be penalized by Google.
Improve Site Layout
You can ask to comment or make a blog review of your site. And ask the to criticize or suggest on how to improve your site. Tell them that you needs such information or tips about increase readership, Increase subscriber etc..
There are other possible objectives why do a site host a contest. But those mentioned above are just the popular objectives among the web.
Another tip is just make your contest simple so that many will participate. You can advertise the contest in your blog itself or ask your friends to tip their readers about the contest. In choosing the winner you can ask your friends to be the judge or just use random numbers even on site or in excel.
BTW I got the idea about this post in yahoo groups. If you would like to be known. Just let me know and I will link to your site.
Let me know what you think and share your experience with this 🙂