Top Commenter Contests - Officially Speaking…
Here ya go, I told ya this was coming too and I’m a man of my word! Heh.
Just to recap, I held the first comment contest in January, killed it in February; wrote about a new comment policy, and am now bringing it back for March and hopefully beyond.
Hopefully beyond? Yep. You see, January was sorta an unofficial behind the scenes test, and some failed…miserably. It seems a few normally awesome commenters really ramped up the crap for contest purposes. No offense, it’s true.
Hence the need for the newly updated and strictly enforced comment policy, neatly linked in big fat letters right above the comment box. I really really hope we can continue them monthly, don’t you? Just having sponsorships has already taken them farther then any other comment contest I’ve seen so far. And, as I’ve said a couple times, if we do continue on a regular basis, I may have a HUGE announcement to make.
Recap done, on with todays tidings:
Look over to the right just a smidge. See that nifty little link right above the top commenter names? A brand new page just for you! (Don’t say I never gave ya nuthin.) Official Rules & Helpful Tips just for the top commenter contests. Neat, huh? Always remember, these aren’t simply “win a free backlink” contests, so I think making it as fair and honest for all involved is only a good thing, yes? Cool.
You’ll notice there are currently only TWO rules. Reason being rule #1 takes care of a lot. Yea I know, I make you work with that second link to click, but I’m just mean like that 
. I also thought helpful contest tips was a sweet idea; if you have any suggestions feel free to contact me.
Either way, be sure to check it periodically (at least once per month). I’m sure things will be added from time to time 
.
Thanks everyone!
Dennis
Related posts:
- April Top Commenter Contest - Sponsors & Prizes Back to back posts to get them out of the...
- April Top Commenter Contest Begins - March Winners Announced! No joke here my friends, April begins now! Don’t forget...
- June Top Commenter Contest Begins - May Winners Announced! As per my last post, there is no hospital trip...
- June Top Commenter Contest - Sponsors & Prizes As May’s winners are being notified, lets see what’s in...
- May Top Commenter Contest Begins - April Winners Announced! No joke here my friends, May begins now! (OK yesterday,...
- May Top Commenter Contest - Sponsors & Prizes We learned of the April winners (being notified), now lets...
- Sponsored Prizes Continue To Roll In! Just an update - with only 12 more days in...
Tags: backlink, comment contest, Comment Policy, contest tips, top commenter contests
Jaq @ Net Age Web Design
Kev
Latief@AnotherBlogger
sherry
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
That’s a detailed comment policy, Dennis! What was happening over here??? lol
Jay
Suite J´s last blog post..4 More Free Wordpress Themes Hot Off The Press
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
@Suite J, It needed to be done. LOL
It may look long and detailed, but broken down it’s just common sense and good etiquette. I just wanted something official where I could simply drop a link to anyone that moans. LOL
Michael Reply:
June 10th, 2009 at 3:16 am
@Suite J, somebody was penalized? hahaha
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Shame about the name rule (#1) but otherwise the policy is fair enough. I hope it helps cut down on the crap and makes the contest worthwhile for both you and the entrants. Good luck!
Dot Com Dud´s last blog post..January Traffic Analysis
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
@Dot Com Dud, I think I’d quite liberal on the name policy. Name + KW or KW + Name is quite fair, no?
And your name is?
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I think the new policy is spot on. I’m a sucker for a good contest, but I refuse to cheat the system just to win. Which is why I never win on comment contests. But that’s ok, it’s not much of a win if you’ve got to find a way to scam it.
I’m still going to try for next month, but I still won’t leave a reply unless I’ve got something useful-pertinent-worthwhile to say, I won’t say anything.
Christine Senter´s last blog post..Living Up To The Hype
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
@Christine Senter, I always look forward to any thoughts you may have.
Speaking of which, where did we leave off with the guest posting?
Christine Senter Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
@Dennis Edell,
I’m still in the process of trying to sound like a genius. LOL
In other words, I’m working on something wonderful, or at least something that doesn’t make you wonder why you ever talked to me about this in the first place.
Christine Senter´s last blog post..Tricks To Beat Writer’s Block
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
@Christine Senter, Easy on sweetness, it don’t need to be a second edition Constitution.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Ya know what you should’ve done?
Instead using a comment policy, you should’ve said that in order to count for the contest the comment has to receive a “start” from the editor, which will be given to meaningful comments that supplement the content of the post.
That way you don’t get to moderate a lot, people don’t get to read too much, but they will try their best to get that star, if they want their prize.
Now, just find a way to mark starred comments.
Cheers,
Alex
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
@Alex at PPC-Coach, I think that’s a little too outside the box lol.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Great Dennis. This is the first ever blog I have seen where a comment contest has policies. This may reduce spam and increase comments and subscribers. Great Idea
Harish´s last blog post..Blog Review - Split Stack
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
@Harish, Thanks!
I got your sponsorship email, and I will reply soon.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Dennis,
I’m actually a little confused. I’ve read that Feb contest was killed, then read in another post which says Feb Contest “in motion”. Now this post says it starts in March. Probably my own fault. I may not have been following your blog that closely. But can you help this confused guy and tell me.
Peter Lee
Peter@passive income ideas´s last blog post..Link Love No.21-Blog Advertising, Ad Banners, Text Link Ads
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
@Peter@passive income ideas,
Feb Contest “in motion” was first; I did a 180 pretty quick and killed it when I realized some issues had to be addressed before they continued.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I was thinking your comment policy was going to be brutal. It sounds quite reasonable. I finally had to buckle down and add a anti-spam key to my site, because I got a bit lazy in clearing out the spam comments for a month, and found myself with 22,000+ spam entries waiting for moderation.
~ Kristi
Kikolani´s last blog post..9 Ways to Use Social Networking for Blog Promotion
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
@Kikolani, Are you using Akismet?
February 24th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I think so, yes. It might have been the plugin I never activated with some code. I’ll have to check now.
Kikolani´s last blog post..9 Ways to Use Social Networking for Blog Promotion
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
@Kikolani, It’s pretty much the best out there; Captchas just annoy readers.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I haven’t read it yet Dennis as I am strapped for time, but I will get to it sometime this year. I’m not commenting for the sake of winning any contests, but if a prize comes my way for doing something that I do anyway, I reckon I will humbling accept it. Of course I may never win one here because I ain’t following the rules, so I better read it soon huh?
Sire´s last blog post..Of Web Hosts And Blogger Friends.
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
@Sire, Humble? You?? Now this I gotta see!
Sire Reply:
February 26th, 2009 at 12:19 am
@Dennis Edell, What are you implying Dennis? Of course I am humble. Whatever gave you the notion that I wasn’t
Oh, you will have to pardon my spelling error in the last post. It seems that contrary to popular belief, I am not perfect after all.
Sire´s last blog post..Of Web Hosts And Blogger Friends.
February 25th, 2009 at 7:23 am
What a great idea! And very reasonable rules
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
@Heather, Thanks heather and welcome to the community!
Awesome site btw; beautiful designs.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:43 am
i agree with your blog. i think this policy can give more protected for blogger from spam.
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
@budi, That’s what I’m hoping for budi, welcome to the community!
February 25th, 2009 at 11:30 am
First time visiting your blog! Great stuffs here : )
I did my first contest this month and gave away my iPod. I considered to a comment contest but went another route.. I may consider it in the future though!
I’ll keep an eye out over here and see how it goes : )
Jake
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
@Jake, Welcome to the community Jake! Comment contests are good for bringing in subscribers too…they don’t wanna miss a post.
Cool blog btw, I left a message there as well.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Good to see Top commentator contest from you - Hope to win this.
Shanker Bakshi´s last blog post..Winning of WordPress Feature Suggestion Contest
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
@Shanker Bakshi, Hey Shanker, how’s it goin’? I’m lookin forward to your insightful comments in the future!
February 27th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Sorry for all the crappy comments I leave all the time :S
Nick´s last blog post..Sunday Snapshots - 017
Dennis Edell Reply:
February 28th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
@Nick, Like this one? LOL You’re OK my friend.
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:52 am
New here and I was shock to know that commenting could be converted to money also.
Ligoy na Bata´s last blog post..Why some Capiznon Bloggers were consistent in Google SERP?
Dennis Edell Reply:
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:53 am
@Ligoy na Bata, Anything can turn to a contest.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Hi Dennis , I bookmarked your rules as I will definately have to look at them while I do my own
Hope you do not mind - I will not just copy it and I will give you credit cause it is so thoroughly thought out.
I was curious as to what the prizes are and it is a pity that the comments per commeter are not shown.
Gert Hough@Free Do Follow´s last blog post..How To Get More Traffic To Your Blog
Dennis Edell Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 9:20 am
@Gert Hough@Free Do Follow, Welcome to the community Gert! Feel free to copy what ya need, I really appreciate the heads up.
You can find the sponsors and their prizes in no particular order here…
http://www.directsaleswebmarketing.com/comment-contest-march-sponsors-and-prizes/
I don’t understand what you mean by, “the comments per commeter are not shown.”? If you mean your own, it’s because it was your first comment here…all first time comments are automatically thrown into moderation.
Nick Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
@Dennis Edell, I think he was referring to the number of comments that have been left by each of the top commentators.
Nick´s last blog post..Housekeeping - March 2009
Dennis Edell Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
@Nick,
Ohhh yea I think you’re right. I did that purposely to cut down on “catch up spam”.
Gert Hough@Free Do Follow Reply:
March 9th, 2009 at 5:43 am
@Dennis Edell, Yep, that is what I meant by “the number of comments”. I never thought of it that way. This is the first time I replied to a comment before - I have just seen the benefit of having nested comments. One more thing to add to my blogs.
Gert Hough@Free Do Follow´s last blog post..State Your Dofollow Declaration
Dennis Edell Reply:
March 9th, 2009 at 6:06 am
@Gert Hough@Free Do Follow,
Glad I could help! I know I wish I hadn’t waited so long.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:50 am
Wow i never thought that there’s a contest for the top commenter. Well as i read your blog, i think this policy can give more protected for blogger from spam. This may reduce spam and increase comments and subscribers. Well done.
Linkmoko´s last blog ..Watch The Wolfman Movie Online 
Dennis Edell Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@Linkmoko, Comment contests bring in massive traffic if done correctly, I’ll be implementing them again once I move to the new blog…I hope to see you there.
Those that plan to spam rarely read policies, but it’s advisable to have one to link to.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Blog Move Is Imminent ! I’m Looking For Launch Partners…