They say that "Content is King!"
With over 130,000 members and growing daily, the rapid growth and success of the ActiveRain network has been nothing short of phenomenal! And we owe a huge part of that success to the valued support and participation of our community members. Obviously, one of the most effective ways we can ensure the continued growth and benefits of this platform is to strive towards consistently generating good, quality content. Never before has the need and demand for good quality, original, consumer-oriented, real estate-relevant articles been more pronounced than now. Today's Internet savvy consumers are hungry for helpful, practical, and knowledgeable advice from industry experts.
Announcing the:
ActiveRain "Carnival of Consumer Content Contest"
The ActiveRain "Carnival of Consumer Content" is a contest designed to challenge, encourage, and foster better/improved quality writing from among our membership.
This contest will accomplish several goals:
-
provide greater quality articles of enhanced value for Consumers
-
provide excellent examples of what constitutes good blog writing for our members
- reward exemplary efforts
This contest is a "Call to Action!"
Let's face it, for most areas across the country, the real estate picture appears pretty bleak. At least that's the perception that the media has presented. But regardless of how difficult or challenging a situation may be, there are always positive aspects to be pursued. Now is your opportunity to turn the tide of negativism, and promote some 'positive' buzz for your markets. We want you to provide your most professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and 'practical' advice to consumers and potential clients. What opportunities exist in your particular corner of the world? What is working for you? What tools, tips, techniques have you utilized in helping your Clients, Buyers/Sellers to achieve success in your particular markets?
It doesn't matter what your particular vocation is, whether you're an agent, a loan officer, a stager, an inspector, etc., we all have valueable advice/information that we can offer to consumers.
Read the contest guidelines carefully and then enter your article! What do you have to lose? If nothing else, you'll at least get your usual 200 points for posting an article.
The Rules (yeah I know, but we need some, so deal with it!)
- Must be written and submitted no later than Monday February 9th at 5pm PST.
- If it's not fresh/original, it will get cut. Don't submit anything you have previously posted here on ActiveRain or somewhere else.
- No Cut and Paste. (Do we need to explain this?)
- Copyscape (If it doesn't pass the Copyscape test, it's out. We will not tolerate plagiarism)
- No Ghost Writing (we only want 'original' content articles. You have to write it yourself!)
- Late entries will not be accepted. No exceptions.
- We have just added a new Group called "Carnival of Consumer Content." All contestants need to join this group and your article needs to be submitted to the Group to qualify for inclusion in the contest.
- Tag your article "Carnival of Consumer Content"
- Categorize your article for Localism.com, and place it in your respective State, County, city, and neighborhood.
- Select the ActiveRain Channel for Consumers, and use the most appropriate channel category, i.e., Home Buying, Mortgage, etc.
- Only one article entry per member contestant
The Judging Criteria
- Topic/Subject: Write about something that consumers will find interesting, engaging, informative, and helpful.
- Minimum of 300 words
- Grammar (if you have trouble with this, get someone to proof read your article)
- Spelling (your blog has a spell checker, use it)
- It's Not about You: Don't sabotage your article with blatant self-promotion. If your article contains more information about You than it does meaningful content for consumers, it will not be scored favorably.
- Aesthetics (attractive layout and relevant graphics will get a more favorable rating.
- Your Unique Voice (we want you to convey your own personality, perspective, and passions in your article)
The Prizes (to the Winners go the Spoils!)
A contest is no fun without prizes. So, here's what will happen to the winning articles. There will be a first, second and third place winner.
- All three winners will be announced at REBarCamp Seattle on Friday February 13th, 2009.
- All winning articles will be 'Featured' on the ActiveRain Blog Dashboard, in the Carnival of Consumer Content Group, and in the ActiveRain Newsletter.
- Points - We all like to get them or complain about not having them. ActiveRain runs on points so let's give some away! 1st Place will receive 5000 points; 2nd Place will receive 3000 points; and 3rd Place will be awarded 1000 points. There will also be 10 Honorable Mentions that will receive 500 points each.
The Judges
There will a minimum of 5 judges, comprised of a few ActiveRain Staff, as well as some of the veteran members of our community. The names of these judges will not be announced until after the winners have been chosen.
Time to 'Get Busy!' and 'Get Found!'
Let's drive the Search Engines crazy and give their spiders a feeding frenzy they soon won't forget! And, as a result, drive more traffic to your blog and your articles full of rich consumer-oriented content!
UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE* UPDATE * UPDATE
Your article submission doesn't have to be 'locally-oriented' to qualify. We're looking for good, quality 'consumer-oriented' content. If you want to give it a local flavor or application, that's fine. Just don't feel that it has to be local content, per se.
UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE* UPDATE * UPDATE
We will be annoucing the winners by the end of next week, so stay tuned!
It's about freaking time:)
Oh this sounds like fun! I love the contests! Here we go...
Rich,
This is an amazing idea for a contest and sure to draw an abundance of very useful content for the consumer and people in the housing industry....
I'm looking forward to entering.
Jo
Rich - I guess I should put on my thinking cap. I need to think of something that I haven't already covered!
Terrific idea Rich. I bet there will be loads of great posts on this topic for consumers. The wheels are turning.
Jeff
Wow, look at the opportunity! Write great articles to get new customers and earn mega-points as well. Let the games begin!
This is a great idea. I know it will stimulate some great writing. I am already thinking about this.
Wow...this will be a huge learning experience across the country for everyone who participates. Love this contest, better put my thinking cap on!
Maria
I love contests and I really need to polish my Localism (writing to the consumer) skills
I want to make sure I understand something, Rich. You must AT THE TIME you post decide that this is your submission OR??????
Can you go back to a post you wrote between now and the deadline and select it as your entry?
The names of these judges will not be announced until after the winners have been chosen.
Shoot. That rules out bribery. Now how will I be able to compete??? :)
Fabulous ! -- Let the games begin !!!
Cheers !
Sheldon
Janet: Just so there are no misunderstandings, the article should be one that is written specifically for this contest, and hasn't been published prior to submission as an entry. Does help to clarify things?
Yes it does, and that was actually my interpretation of what you had written.
I asked because in the only other contest I ever entered here in the rain, it was the other way around.
Thank you for the clarification.
Sounds like a win win situation to me. I will have to get my mind to cooperate and see what I can come up with.
HMMM, I'll have to put my thinking cap on for this one...
Hi Rich, Sounds like a lot of fun!
So, I guess any kind of Local content is ok?
Nothing like a contest to light the fire under someone's feet -- I'm dancing already! :-)
Sounds like fun...thinking cap is on :) Looking forward to reading all of the entries.
wow...you think I can come up with something? It's been awhile since you announced a carnival contest :)
Rich: Sounds like this is going to be a great contest.. I'm glad my recent thought for a post is still in my mind... I will work on it soon and post to the "Carnival of Consumer Content" group.
Sounds like a great contest. I bet for the folks who have been on here since inception, it will be difficult to come up with something they haven't covered yet.
This should cause the creation of some seriously good posts with all those bonus points offered:)
Wow, how fun - but I am stumped for a topic!
Rich
Perhaps there is a chance in this even for a guy like me.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Tom: Yes, Tom, even for a guy like you! :)
Jo: Oh please!....Jo Soss stumped for what to write about? I have a hard time believing that!
Bill: That's the plan, Bill!...
Kristi: There is ALWAYS something good to write about!
Roland: Looking foward to your entry, man!
Sally: I have no doubts you will!...
Steph: Doesn't necessarily have to be 'local' content, just as long as it's 'consumer' content....
Sharon: Isn't that always the challenge?...I am constantly battling 'pre-Alzheimers'...I need a Clapper for everyting!
Recipes? ;0)
Just kidding. Thanks for clarifying. Have a great weekend!
Rich, This is going to be interesting AND fun! I'll go over to join the new group and bookmark this post; there are some terrific writers here!
Wow...amazing news. Big points for the big head:)
Sounds like a fun contest. I hope i can find the time to write something for it.
I don't think Jeff Dowler should be allowed to enter. He writes great local posts and will put the rest of us to shame...
Well, I'm on vacation but will take a closer look at this when i get back to work.
That sounds like a good contest. I am ready to join in. Thanks for the invite
I love the idea and will see what I can come up with between these 2 contests I am entering. It should be alot of fun! Thanks Rich for getting it going! Shawn Davis
YIPPEE!! (Did I hear you will also be giving away passes to the Atlanta event too???!!!
How fun. This is going to be great posting & reading as well as food for thought for business ideas. Thank you
Hey Rich- My blogging was prescient, today. I wrote my entry post about 4 hours before you announced the contest. Can I still include it? Pretty please???
I love a good competition! Let the games begin!
I look forward to reading the winners content. Maybe we can come up with something to submitted...
Funny, my first impression reading your post was that you guys are seeing a lot of c--p posts coming out and see a need to get good content rolling again. Hopefully it's not all that bad.
Hi Rich,
I am from good old Silverdale Washington and a proud graduate of CKHS! I live and work in Los Angeles CA. Hope all is well up in my hometown! I will try to submit something interesting for this contest. I would love to have a response from a fellow Silverdalian! What a coincidence that I run across you here!
take care,
Sue Eller (formerly known as Sue Siebrecht)
Great idea! Now I just have to think of something good say...
This looks like a great contest. I hope I can find some time to participate.
Jeff: That's definitely NOT the case, but with so many people joining our community daily, we need to constantly stress the importance of generating meaningful content for consumers, and to offer up prime examples of what that looks like....
Sounds like fun. I better put my thinking cap on. It will be good both to consumers and our google rankings.
This is a fantastic idea. I have not submitted many articles, but I will get some ideas, and hope to write something that will be readable, and of value. In the process, I hope to learn more about the proper way to article writing. Thanks.
Rich - now I won't be able to sleep at night...I'll be trying to come up with something dazzling instead of counting sheep! What will be really interesting is reading the submissions.
Rich, this is a truly inspiring theme. I automatically started thinking about the necessary selling points of my area. So, you see, you've already done your job and well. A good strong "local" post is just what I need.
Thank you for inspiring our google juices!
This is good for us all~
Later in the rain~Deb
OK, I'll take the challenge and find something inspiring about our Kauai market. Definitely more of a buyer's market daily.
Aloha from Kauai...
Sounds like a great idea for another contest. I look forward to seeing what all the talented people here will come up with.
Rich... I have been away from the 'Rain' the last few days and came across this on Sally's post... this should be good... I'll see if I can't get something up in time... these contests can take a lot out of you, especially since I always try to publish good content... thanks for doing this.
Love your new photo and I'm glad this went out in the email digest. I always find out about these things the day after they end...
This sounds like fun!
I'm in, and willl try to come up with a good one.
hmmm I wonder if the same type of local content that has worked on my blog for 3.5 years would work in this contest.
Hi Rich - this contest should generate some awesome posts, I would think. I'll have to see if I can come up with something worthy. Even if I don't, I'm looking forward to seeing all the great posts I would expect will be entered into this contest.
Ann
Rich - I love a challende. Bring it on. I've actually already begun to formulate my post in my head.
Rich-Sounds like fun! I'm still finding my way and want to put out good quality information to our consumers. Time to put my 'thinking cap on" Best to you 2009!
Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the opportunity!
This is going to make for excellent reading. I'll have to think on it to see if I can come up with something worthy to compete against these Giants!
Rich, I'm amazed at how quickly the numbers are going up on the Membership count. I know you all must be very excited!!
Absolutely great idea. There are a few contest going now, but this is a good one for localism.
Gee... isn't this what we have been doing since the start?
Rich, I really look forward to some truly good content, rather than personal, non professional posts that somehow seem to make it on the Featured List all the time??
"It doesn't matter what your particular vocation is, whether you're an agent, a loan officer, a stager, an inspector, etc., we all have valueable advice/information that we can offer to consumers."
I also do hope that you select winners from different professions and not just Realtors, ie: I am a loley real estate appraiser, which was not even on your list of mentionable professions above. Somehow we are left in the dust many times.
So it would be nice if other professions get a NOD if their content is good and I am sure it will be, as there are many good writers here.
So with that I do intend to blog about the last half of 2008 sales, marketing trends, values on Lake Lanier here in Georgia, which I know the general public is interesed in.....so I am hoping just maybe I might get honorable mention!
Thanks look forward to some interesting reading!
Mary: While ActiveRain is a network of Real Estate Professionals, it's also a 'social' network, and as such, will consist of 'personal' 'non-professional' content. We deliberatly attempt to 'feature' a wide variety of articles on the AR Blog page. We have a number of different people who are tasked with featuring articles just to give the process greater diversity. We will ensure that the winners are selected based on the criteria stated, not because of a particular member category. It's a level playing field, and we've got some incredibly sharp judges lined up. We look forward to your entry!
Lane: Actually, we were kinda hoping that maybe 'You' might get the hint this time!...hehehe
TBoard: Maybe we should just crown you the winner now and call it a day?....hehehe No doubt your content over the years has served as one of the better examples of what constitutes good, quality local writing....
Our Submission
There are lots of good thing to report about the Logan, Utah real estate market. I would love to share some of the positive things going on in this area. Great contest. I look forward to reading what other members have to say as well.
Love the direction that this is going in. Sounds like we are dedicated to excellence! I can handle the writing and creative ideas. Just need some help with the graphics -- at a loss there:-)
Gina: When you get your article written, give me a call, and I'll help walk you through inserting images 360.440.4758
Gina, we can make some graphics for you if you'd like. Let us know if you're interested.
Sincerely, Victor and Ray
Hey Rich, A carnival now that sounds like fun.
Rich - I doubt if I would even place in the contest. Great local content can be so many things ranging from actual market statistics to information about local housing styles and architecture to tips for home buyers and sellers (real estate is local) to information about local events. The list is huge. The trick is to keep it relevent enough so that it is information that people seek and to keep it interesting enough so that when they find it they read it.
Hey Rich - Are you trying to trick us into being successful? I see. Get us to knock ourselves out for a few points, and even if we don't win the contest, we develop consumer readership that brings us business. Pretty tricky!
Sounds like a great idea, thank you!
I'm sorry, I don't do well with hints... Ok, I can give them, but getting them is tough...
Wow, an exciting contest, but I'm not feeling sure about my subject matter... This should be good!
Cool, I'm looking forward to the contest. It should be fun. Good luck everyone.
OK LADIES & GENTS, IT'S ON LIKE POPCORN!! Corny (no pun intended) I know, but in the words of my beloved 7, (soon to be 8 yrs old) son; I had to say it.
RICH-THANK YOU FOR THE CHALLENGE................I myself was getting tired of the same posts on here, summurized in different words. However; it is a bit challenging to come up with new content, but I'm up to it.
C YA AT THE FINISH LINE!!! HEY........ hopefully I'm a finalist, my birthday is on the 8th so that would make a great birthday present.
Rich - Great idea for a contest and a great way to get people to generate some quality content. I've already submitted mine. Whether or not it wins isn't the issue (although I wouldn't complain if I won), but being spurred on to meet the challenge was fun (I worked on my post over the course of three days - and it really made me think a lot about what my thoughts and experiences have been recently). So thanks for the challenge!
Rich - I finally managed to come up with a suitable idea for a post. I'll try to get it done by Monday!
This is a great opportunity for all of us to come up with something of value. You've created quite a bit of excitement among members It's a great thing!
I'm in. Bring it on. Let's go for great content The key is to be found everywhere on the net.
I thought it was a new contest until I read the first comments came in on 1/30. I guess I missed the first announcement. Have to come back to read the full details but it's a great incentive to shoot for quality posts.
Rich, you want it? You got it! That sounds like a challenge, and I'm up to it! I keep a list of possible AR topics. Currently my list is about 40 ideas. I'll look through and see what would appeal to consumers most right now. GAME ON!
Great, so you're going to make me work over the weekend??
Sounds like fun.
I like! This is a great idea. I just started adjusting the tone of my posts yesterday. No more media crap.
Rich - this is an excellent idea for us to write from a positive viewpoint in lieu of the alternative that we see so much of.
Good motivation Rich! Not that most of us are point driven (much)!
I'm in!
Rich,
It's going to be great fun to read all the terrific blogs that will be entered in this contest. Can't wait to get my hands on them.
This looks fun and a great incentive for creating more consumer content. I will try to enter before the deadline!
Hi Rich,
I have a question about orginal photos. The photos I've used are photos that I did not take myself. But, I have been given permission to use them. Is this acceptable? Thanks!
Rich - Just finished my entry! I got inspired with my topic and I sincerely hope it brings more business to the places I promoted there.
Hey Rich, I just finished my entry also!!
Thanks for an awesome contest!
Okay Rich,
I threw a contribution into the kettle. Hope I assigned everything right. Not used to sending to consumers, maybe I should be.
Nice ! -- Finished, and entered !
Just to confirm you said it must be 'consumer oriented', but that it didnt have to be regional or a localism post.
Nice motivating contest !
Cheers !
Sheldon
I submitted mine last night. I was wanting to wait until next week to write this particular blog, but I went ahead and moved my profile over to Austin, and submitted my entry. Great way to start my change in profile.
I needed this challenge to get more focused on my market in my blog. Thanks for the opportunity. Next thing - enhance my posts with pictures and then videos.
I am looking forward to the posts from this contest.
I needed this challenge to get more focused on my market in my blog. Thanks for the opportunity. Next thing - enhance my posts with pictures and then videos.
I am looking forward to the posts from this contest.
Yeah, so I totally missed this one LOL oh well... Rich, you can still give me the 5,000 pts for being a valued asset to AR right? :)
We will be announcing the winners by the end of this next week, so stay tuned!
Rich - Can't wait to read the winning posts. I think this one was a great idea...perhaps it should become a regular feature to get new blogs going up all the time with great content. Maybe instead of points you could give away new accounts, new individual blogs for a certain amount of time, or listing router credits? Might make people even more addicted to giving it a shot.
did you announce the winners? looking forward to reading some of the helping consumer content posts :)
Did I miss an announcement? I haven't seen one anywhere yet the deadline has passed twice already. We know you've been busy, and I know I probably wasn't one of the winners, but the suspense is killing!!
I am also curious about the winners, where will they be posted?
SO who won???? I just saw the contest. Would have loved to enter... maybe next time!
Question: Must you "sponsor a community" to add that community directly to Localism? I assume the answer is NO or this could have cost you LOTS of money at $9.99/month per sponsorship???
Question: Must you "sponsor a community" to add that community directly to Localism? I assume the answer is NO or this could have cost you LOTS of money at $9.99/month per sponsorship???
I'm dying to read the winners too!
Nicky - You don't need to sponsor a community to add it to the Localism database. You also benefit if you add it and get some blogs in there about the community as you can receive "Top Neghbor" status - check out Woods Of Alon in San Antonio, TX to see how it worked for me.
I think they're on vacation in socal. They'll be back to announce a winner soon.
Winners will be posted on Monday, March2nd.
tick tock Rich! its almost the end of march 2 and you said the winners would be announced today!
We're all so anxious to see the best of the best :)
Frank: We're hoping to post the announcement shortly. Thanks!