Here's a solution for two problems at the same time.
- The Newbie's Complaint - "What does it take to get my post Featured on ActiveRain?" (thanks for the idea Kelli)
- The Old Timer's Complaint - "Most of what gets posted on ActiveRain is junk! Where the heck are the good articles?"
Let's solve both issues at the same time. This is not an official ActiveRain sponsored event. But that doesn't matter. ActiveRain is a member driven site, and I'm a member. So, I'm taking some initiative here. Hope the AR guys don't mind too much.
Newbies (or not):
If you want to get noticed on ActiveRain, you need to get Featured. Featured articles are read by hundreds of members. If an article gets Featured and it's good, members tend to either bookmark the article, add you to their associates list or subscribe to your blog. After that, they come back to your blog looking for more good articles and it gets easier to be noticed. The hardest part, obviously, is to get noticed the first time!
Here's your chance. In this contest, points don't mean squat. Everyone has an equal chance.
Old Timers (in internet time):
There has been a whole bunch of complaining going on about the falling quality of articles on ActiveRain. It's time to try to change that. I read almost all of what gets posted in the 'Rain. Crazy but true. And, I tend to agree that currently, the percentage of quality articles is dismally low. Part of the reason it is so low is that many of the old timers aren't posting anything good! So here's a call to action. How about posting up something that raises the bar? You've done it before. You must have at least one more good article in you.
The Rules (yeah I know, but we need some)
- Must be written between Feb 18,2007 and Feb 24,2007.
- If it's not fresh it will get cut. Let's get some new articles to read. If you want to rewrite an old article, go for it. But don't submit anything you have posted here on ActiveRain or on your outside platforms.
- No Cut and Paste. (I hope I don't need to explain that.)
- Copyscape (if it doesn't pass the Copyscape test, it's out, I detest plagiarism)
- Late entries (will not be accepted. No exceptions. The cutoff is midnight Feb 24, 2007)
- Sign up (you must be signed up to play, leave a comment here for now, I'll have something better soon)
- I have just added a new Group called "Prime Time" (all contestants need to become members and your article needs to be added to the Group)
- Maximum of 2 articles per contestant
Criteria
- Unique ( a brand new article)
- Minimum 300 words (I don't believe you can write quality in less than 300)
- Grammar (if you have trouble with this, get someone to proof read your article)
- Spelling (your blog has a spell checker, use it)
- Tone (if the article is positive and upbeat, it gets a more favorable rating)
- Subject (any! Write what you know about or what you feel passionate about)
- Aesthetics (attractive layout and graphics will get a more favorable rating, it takes more effort to make it pretty)
The Prizes
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.
- Winning articles will get Featured. Third place will get featured on Tuesday the 27th. Second place will get featured on Wednesday the 28th. And First Place will be featured on Thursday March 1st. How can I be sure they will get featured? Simple, I'll get my cohort Rich J, we'll drive to Seattle and refuse to leave until the posts get featured! Sounds a little crazy, but you know it will work. In reality, that won't have to happen. Matt, Caleb and Jonathan are very responsive to this network and the members of it. All three of them have written some very good articles. They must get tired of reading the lame posts too.
- Points - We like to get them or complain about not having them. ActiveRain runs on points so let's give some away. I propose 1000 points for 1st Place, 750 points for 2nd Place and 600 points for 3rd Place. I need to get the nod from an AR guy on this. I have no authority or ability to give away points. Can we get the stamp of approval on this from somebody in ActiveRain?
- Your article will get featured on SoundBiteBlog.com. This is not as big a deal as being featured on AR, but SoundBiteBlog does have a respectable readership and it can't hurt can it? It will also help with your internet exposure. A backlink from SoundBiteBlog to your profile or ActiveRain blog is a good thing.
- The winning articles are bound to make it into the Week In Review on Monday the 5th! So you will get acknowledged one more time!
Summary
Sometimes it takes aggressive action to affect positive changes. That is what this contest is all about. This contest could fall flat on it's face unless you (yes you) do something. Write an article. Help someone else to proofread their article. Tell your ActiveRain buddies about this contest and get them involved. But do something. Nobody loses and everybody wins. THAT is positive action. This network has over 16,000 members! If only 1% of the people submit an article, we'll have a great contest and many read-worthy articles.
If you decide to do nothing, you have no right to complain about the network! Do something with this! Get involved! Get somebody else involved! Here's an opportunity for everyone. It doesn't matter if you are new or have been here a while. This network is a collection of members. If the members do nothing, the network goes nowhere. If this contest fizzles, we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.
Notes
I will recuse myself from this contest for obvious reasons. After some thought, Rich Jacobson is also eliminated (sorry Rich). As many of you know, Rich is "Sparky" on SoundBiteBlog.com.
Posted by 
Randy Prothero 
Count me in! Fantastic motivational tool!
;)
;)
