All New CommentMILK Version 1.0How to Promote & Run a Contest - A Case Study of An Aud Life dot Com
Want to Learn How to Build a Business Not Just a Blog.. for FREE? CLICK HERE Now to Find Out How!
If you have been a reader of JohnCow for a while now, you will know that we are constantly holding contests here. Contests are fantastic ways to get a good amount of exposure, gain readers and more.
One of the huge advantages of us having a well established blog (along with lots of business contacts) is we have been able to sponsor some pretty sweet contests that have not cost us a single penny. This however does not mean that if you are just starting out and have few (if any) contacts that you can not hold a successful contest. What it does mean however is you are going to have to work a little harder to get some buzz going for it and you may have to spend some of your own money on the prizes.
Over the next week or so I am going to put together a case study for promoting a new blog which includes how to hold a contest and we are going to lay out every step of the process here in a blog series so you can learn first hand how to do it. The blog I am going to use for this is a blog that my beautful wife of 12+ years just created at http://www.anaudlife.com
Since I first got into running a business online, my wife has had 0 interest in any part of it. She did not like computers, had no interest in running a business and had not a clue as to how to describe to others what it was I did. The only part that she had any interest in was spending the money that it generated 
As a stay at home mother (raising our two daughters) she has recently started to show an interest in blogging and getting involved with some forums and places like FaceBook and about 2 months ago asked if she could have her own blog. After about 10 minutes of laughing (because I thought she was joking), when I could tell from the look on her face that at that moment she thought I was a jackass… I then said in disbelief…
“Are You Serous?”
Well, she was serious and so immediately it popped into my mind… “What a great opportunity for a case study for my readers!”
So the first thing I had her do was list the top 5 things she was passionate about and loved to research on the internet. Number 2 on her list (after shopping for clothes) was rheumatoid arthritis. You see my wife was diagnosed three years ago at the age of 30 with rheumatoid arthritis and in fact it had gotten so bad that she had to use a cane full time. Once she knew what the cause of the pain was, she immediately began researching and testing treatments and everything else related to this condition. She has since eliminated the need for a cane completely and has become very physically active (our dog cant even keep up with her anymore).
As soon I saw this on her list –> BINGO!
You see, having a niche that you are 100% passionate about is a niche you want to be in. You can write with passion, relate to your readers and best of all it encourages you to learn even more about the topic so you can have stuff to write about.
Over the past 4 weeks Audrey has started to piece together a blog that is pretty darn good and she has done it by herself…
She has wanted to learn how to do it and so alI I have done (other then a little graphics help from some of my office staff) is provided some direction. It is a definite learning curve for her (little things like how to write a title, researching keywords, using forums for ideas and so) but I am very proud of how well she has done so far.
She is now at the stage of starting the promotion for her blog and this is the part that I am going to get a little more involved in and this is also the part that I am going to completely share with all of you. You will see first hand what we are going to do and the first part of this is going to be planning out the promotion strategy and organizing a contest.
So, you are going to want to get your pen and paper ready (you will want to jot down ideas that pop in your head) and get ready for some fun learning. I also recommend, if you have not done so already, that you subscribe to our blog so you can keep up with us… we will also be putting this into an ebook form for all our readers after it is done.
PS - One of my good online buddies is putting together a wicked contest for you all that will be hosted here on JohnCow starting next week, so stay tuned!
So out of curiosity…
Loading ...- Part 1 - Planning Your Promotion Strategy
- Part 2 - Understanting the How and Where of Your Promotion Strategy
- Part 3 - Planning the Subscriber Traffic Strategy
- Part 4 - Planning a Contest to Get the Buzz Going
- Part 5 - Planning the Contest Criteria
Did You Download Your FREE Copy of "How to Build a Business NOT Just a Blog" Yet? Click Here Now to Get Your Copy!
47 Comments »
Trackback responses to this post
- Weekly Fix #5: ambush your flagship contest
- Weekly Roundup 4 – Interesting Articles Around the Blogosphere | Blogging Tips & Custom Banner Designs at DatMoney.com
- Helping make money online
- Your page is now on StumbleUpon!
- Keeping Track of Your Blog’s Readers, Part 1: Have a Mint
- Sunday Link Lovin’: 10 Aug 08 Edition
- GrandmasterB dot com - Wandering Thoughts of a Graphical Assassin
- Blog Marketing Tips from Across the Net
Looking forward to reading more about your wife’s contest. Wow that arthritis sounds tough to deal with good luck to her.
Winning Startupss last blog post..Making a business providing healthy fresh food for pets
Great review and awesome tips.
Maria Reyes-McDaviss last blog post..Affiliate Marketing Tips from Across the Net
You are so genius John. I think your wife will be happy with what you are doing
Well, I think this idea is not bad, but because it is going on with this particular blog, there are some problems.
1. A lot of readers will want to sponsor the contest, so it will be fairly easy to find prizes.
2. What you need to do is tell us about it, but not mention the URL, no matter how much people hate you. Then after the prizes have been found and the contest begun you can announce it to your readers.
I am looking forward to seeing how to run a contest, but if you want to stay scientific you have to do is discreetly.
I see your point but please consider that I want to show you all things on her site for real life examples… it would be hard if I do not show you the site.
Also, this is 100% free for you to follow along with
Considering I am running a contest right now, I am highly interested in this!
I’m very interested in your case study because I was wondering how to run a contest myself. I feel for you because my beautiful wife is a full time mommy and has no interest in my e-commerce businesses as well. I wish your wife the best and God bless you both.
very interested, and best of luck with your wife.
Sell Porn Make Moneys last blog post..Friday Freebie - Free Porn Video - Take 2
I’m quite interested in reading what you have to say about running online contests, something I have been interested in but have shied away from recently because I’ve heard the legality issues of it are to be heeded. I hope you will touch on that (ie the legalities of it) in your forthcoming posts.
Regarding Audrey, I wish her well. I have a now ex sister in law who has had rheumatoid arthritis very badly since being a young child and I KNOW it isn’t an easy thing to live with. Wishing her the best and off to read a bit of her blog now!
Thanks, she has received a few nice emails from some of you and she was very encouraged.
This should prove quite enlightening. My activities/programs mostly relate to children and families and would seem to be naturals for contests, so I’ll be delighted to pick up tips and insights.
I certainly will try my best to satisfy you
I’m looking forward to this series of tutorials and I will definitely get my pen and paper.
bleukens last blog post..Kabonfootprint SEO Contest 2008 V2.0
If only I had someone who’s an expert to guide me when I first got started with my blog… I wouldn’t have fail so many times!
Andre Thomass last blog post..How To Make Your Prospects Prefer You Over Your Competitor
Very interested also in this..especially now that I’m running a contest but there seems to be no one interested in it..Hopefully it goes well in the next few days..Btw, I really like your site..lots of great stuff
About your wife, I saw her blog and it’s a nice and neat blog.. very informative especially for those who have arthritis..best of luck to her
Eds last blog post..Pinoy Coffee Tickle Entrecard Contest
Thanks
When I got the email about this post, I debated even reading it.
A post about running contests just didn’t sound like something I’d be interested in.
But I fell in love with the story behind it. I’m deeply sorry to hear about your wife’s rheumatoid arthritis. That’s WAAY too young to have to deal with something like that.
I’m glad to hear, though, that she’s using her challenge as a springboard for helping others who face the same challenge.
And somewhere along the way as I got caught up in this human drama, it clicked that finding out how to promote a blog through a contest was not such an irrelevant idea for me after all.
Maybe it just took me seeing the contest idea not just as another “strategy,” but seeing it in the context of drawing people to a place that was providing not only a fun contest, but solutions for people who needed them.
Thanks for sharing both your story and your expertise in this future series!
Thats cool.. thanks for the kind words also.
Oh man… If only I’ve got someone to guide me through when I was first building my blog. I wouldn’t have failed so many times! Awesome blog by the way!
I am looking forward to this and knowing you John it will be a great tutorial!
Thanks,
JR
JR’s Internet Marketing Strategiess last blog post..Is Link Building with Directories Dead?
I love to learn from case study. It’s also a very SMART idea to use a stay at home mom for the case study. Can’t wait to get start!
Hi John,
I think this is a fantastic idea! I have a new blog that I need to promote and I’ve been mulling over this contest idea! I just wasn’t sure if the idea would work for a new blog. That’s why I’ll be your one of your avid students from this case study! Thank you so much for doing this! I’m also glad to hear that your wife has overcome the arthritis and now is able to live life being physically active! Good luck with her blog!
Keep up the awesome work,
Mutiara
Hi, very interesting. WE always run simple little competitions on our craft shapes site. Nothing big, but they are effective in getting interest, even though we don’t promote them much. Our competition got picked up by a very popular website forum (over 1 million subscibers) and now whenever we post a new competition someone mentions it on the forum (not us by the way) and we get good amounts of interest and signups to the competition.
Look forward to reading about your ideas.
As nathanial said above; i feel mentioning the URL here has distorted the results and statistics for the blog/competition.
Ideally it should have remained anonymous and then methodologies revealed and shown though no sway from your contacts etc be given so to show an ‘even’ ground with other bloggers.
Nonetheless looking forward to read some more.
Distorted the results???
I am not doing this for a competition, just to show you the steps I use. Look at the steps, figure how to fit it into your situation and run with it.
Can’t wait to participate in the contest…
shawals last blog post..Surftin.com USD100 Cash Contest
Well John, I still will follow along, I see that you want to let readers enjoy and participate in this. But, maybe to get better statistics you could do the same on another site that wasn’t revealed until later. With the first one they would see how it’s done, and with the second one would give the real results. Just a thought.
Nathaniel
This is perfect timing. I will be in pre-launch with a membership site in the next 60 days and I was considering a contest to generate traffic and interest. Can’t wait to learn how to do it well. Thanks!!!
Congratulations to your wife, what a great idea.
Donna Amoss last blog post..Blog Traffic Increase of Three Times
One more blogger’s wife goes blogging! I see it happen all the time! Well good luck
Tom B.s last blog post..Akismet can be dangerous!
The contest Idea is great! When I was reading your e-book the idea clicked for what I am trying for, lost two nights sleep over it. I am thrilled that you are going to help us understand the build of a blog using the idea.
I live with a partner that has arthritis and I understand the hurdles both partners endure. I give you both a round of applause for your efforts in helping others, and give you all my best.
Kpems last blog post..ArizonaCameras
Went to the anaudlife and noticed no favicon nice site!
Kpems last blog post..ArizonaCameras
I think you’re a perfect hubby. Please convey my welcome note to your wife. I love the natural therapy for different ailments. Hope that blog also will have unique visitors like this blog…
thanks a lot, John for give me a very good ebook..An awesome gift, it’s free!!
Nice, it will be good to read more about those series
Mr. Javos last blog post..Win $50 On August With DaBlogger
Great post, glad your Mrs. has got into blogging! Funny to read this now, as I have just launched a platform that bloggers can use to quickly create a photo or video contest for their readers. It’s a lot of fun, and I’d be pleased as pie if some of you held a contest on . Feel free to shoot me an email if you want any help!
Nick @ Amuso
Great idea guys! I just finished reading your free ebook and not I will see you put those things into practice!
I’m looking forward to it!
AL
Lawn Guys last blog post..Gladiola Bulbs Bring Old Fashioned Beauty to Your Garden
I am looking forward to following along with her Alexa, linkbacks, PR, etc. I would like to see how they improve as the contest moves along.
Glad you will be following along
I am very interested in how to promote a giveaway, because I have been sponsoring a quarterly “sweepstakes” for almost a year now, but have never really promoted it, don’t know where to submit it, etc. Give us the meat and potatoes!!