New Contests in the Works

[Requiem]

So, we know how everyone loves contests. xP And we were thinking about trying a few new ideas maybe come January. Here's the gist:

Thread Showcase Contest - Every month maybe a week before the end of the month we'd open a nominations thread for three separate categories (i.e. Most Awesome, Funniest, and Stalker's Choice or something). You'd have a few days to nominate, then we'd open a poll through the remainder of the month for the memberbase to decide on the winners in each category. Only catch is the threads would have to be small, with only 2 or 3 players involved. Members would receive recognition as well as a small prize for every 5 showcased threads they were involved in or so. An idea for prizes so far was a drawing from one of our awesome artists.

Member Referral Contest: This would be ongoing. We'd add a part to the character applications to state the member who referred them to Selenitas if there was one, and that member would be rewarded for it somehow.

So what does the Staff need from you guys? Firstly, we'd like to know if you all would be interested in these two things and, secondly, if you had any ideas to improve on the contests or in regard to prizes or categories for the Thread Showcase, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all!

[Sebz]

I like both of these ^^ Would we allow threads to be open to more than one nomination in each category?

[jalynn6]

I like both as well especially the referal one! And that is a good question!

[Rowana]

I think they're both fine ideas, especially the referral one, since I love more new members! I don't think the reward for it should be huge (it's supposed to fun after all, not like dragging people ) but a little thank you would still be lovely.

My only sort of problem with the first contest is my own complete failure to make any interesting threads. XD That and I'm sorry to admit that I don't read other peoples threads except for plots. It's not that they aren't awesome, I just don't have time. So it's not a bad idea at all and I love rewarding good and interesting writing and motivating people to experiment more with threads. You just probably won't get much participation for me is all. ^__^

[Avu]

Re: Thread Showcase

SO much approval! :D This would be awesome. Questions though, along with what Sebz said-- would self-nomination be allowed? If a thread could be nominated in multiple categories, could it also win multiple categories? Would the thread have to be started/finished within the month?

Re: Referral

I am less insanely thrilled on this one because a) I am a selfish butt and it does not apply to me because I'm too lazy to advertise and b) didn't we already have a referral reward system up that didn't go far? xP But would this be a one-time per member thing? Like, is a prize going to be given for every character that a person makes if the referral field is filled out?

prizes: i suck at them.

<3

[Requiem]

Well I think it would be more like a numbers thing on the Referral one, Avu. Like...x number of referrals gets you this. Also no, it wouldn't be anything too huge unless you like got us a 100 people or something equally impossible. xP I just think people should be rewarded for taking the time to convince others to join, since I know some members do that anyway.

As per the Thread showcase one I don't think we should limit the categories a Thread is nominated to but at the same time we'd probably ask which category ultimately to put it in the voting for rather than letting it compete in two categories. I'm all for letting the people who did the thread decide which category they want to try their luck in. ^^ We're also /not/ limiting the players themselves involved in being nominated for multiple categories and competing so I think it's fair to not run a thread in multiple categories.

Also, Row, they're nominations. I would like to say it's probably bad form to nominate your own thread but unless it gets seriously out of hand I don't think that will be a rule. You don't have to read all the threads on the board to nominate. The idea really is to pretty much end up with a board full of sites' favorites (which is basically what this is) showcasing the best and most interesting threads Sel has to offer as a member draw. And of course acknowledging good/interesting writing and rping.

[Ruby]

I really hate the idea of thread showcases. I've seen them at other sites, and it just strikes me as a popularity contest the same people will win over and over again, especially if the same few people will be nominating every month (like Row, I don't often have time to do much more than loosely stalk other threads on the site). I feel like this could work better if a different member got to pick a favorite thread every month?

Member referral sounds good to me though ^^