Thanks for Helping Jack Up Votes on Video Contest

It’s the kind of thing that drives semi-pro creators insane (see Jared’s VideoContestKing post). A video contest based not on the quality of the entries but the “popularity” of the creators. I entered Great Wolf Lodge’s contest, but was amazed that despite family & friend e-mail campaigns that we couldn’t get beyond 2% of votes….

Video Contests: Creative Awards & Popularity Contests (Butterfingers)

Jared Cicon aka “Video Contest King” has some sage advice for would-be video contest entrants, and characterizes three types of contests (and which to avoid). Of course, he neglects to tell you not to enter a contest he’s entered. Your chances are slim against his polished creative. Don’t bother. Jared doesn’t temper his resent against…

Bridal Dog Wins Costume Contest at Readers Digest

Isn’t it true that the hard videos are never as popular as the easy ones. This video of Rusty and Triscuit (pets of babysitter of nalts) was viewed nearly 700,000 times on Yahoo Video. But my more recent video, “Confessions” was far more complicated, and has been seen 25K views.  Well congratulations, sweet Rusty. You…

| |

7 Commandments for Winning a Video Contest

Brett Slater (Slaters Garage) was doing radio production, song writing and voiceovers about a year ago. Now he’s integrated simple video into his mix, and is sweeping up contests one after another. How does he do it? Check out his seven commandments for winning a video contest. I’ll tease you with three: Thou shalt be…

| | |

How Much is that Viral Video in the Window?

(This is a guest column by Erik Bratt, director of marketing communications for ProQuo. ProQuo helps consumers eliminate junk mail, and recently hired xlntads.com. (a new-media promotion firm with whom I work occasionally) to solicit quality video entries that help ProQuo describe its value proposition in unique and entertaining ways. Can you really buy a…

| |

Consumer-Generated Ad: Oreo Global Moments Finalist?

I usually don’t make a lot of noise about a contest I’m entering, and I’ve been entering fewer lately. The competition is high, and I rarely win (although often I’m a finalist). The Oreo contest intrigued me because certain YouTube creators were asked to enter, and I figured that would improve my odds. There’s going…

| | | | | | | | | |

How to Win a Contest (Case Study)

ZackScott, one of my favorite fearless video creators, returns for a guest blog post about winning a recent Xlntads ProQuo contest (disclaimer: Zack and I both contribute to Xlntads as members of a “creative advisor board, and he wins contests while I think about them). Zack told me yesterday, “I’m hoping people think I’m such…