We should have a contest

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Alright, here's what I've come up with for revised rules and details:

  • We'll treat this more like a case study. That said, everybody has to start at the same level, meaning nobody can spend more than the cost of a domain name registration.
  • It will last 3 months starting on New Year's Day.
  • At the end of the contest, everybody sells their sites wherever they think is best (I'll personally be going with Sitepoint). Site auctions should probably last for one month.
  • All money that is made from the sale of a site is given to charity (minus the cost of domain registration and auction listing fees).
  • Whoever sells their site for the most wins. They get to choose what charity the money goes to and also maybe a snuggie or something.
  • Promote your site however you see fit. White hat, black hat, etc. No paid advertising.
  • If you have a blog with 70,000 readers, you can't use it to promote your site.
Couple of other things:

  • I'll create a blog (I need domain name suggestions) to keep track of everybodys sites and to provide updates. I'll also open up registration so that any participant can post tips, etc.
  • Yeah, more prizes would be nice, but I don't think we should skim off the top of the site sales. Maybe a few people could donate something.
  • Some of you rich fuckers should match the donations. I know you need the tax writeoffs.
 


alexb said:
  • ...nobody can spend more than the cost of a domain name registration.
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How about outsourcing?

On one hand, the people with the deepest pockets can get the most links built, killer designs, programming, etc... On the other hand I doubt most of us have the time to do all the work ourselves...
 
LazyHippy said:
How about outsourcing?

On one hand, the people with the deepest pockets can get the most links built, killer designs, programming, etc... On the other hand I doubt most of us have the time to do all the work ourselves...
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Good point, to be honest I would be treating this as more of a hobby style website than one that I'm going to integrate into my working day.

However there definately needs to be a balance, cap the amount you can spend per month at $1000 and your benefitting people with deep pockets aswell as providing a more even playing field.

I still think 10% of all the sales should go to the winner, it will encourage twice as many participants and result in a far larger amount for the charity.
 
Goldie Dice said:
I still think 10% of all the sales should go to the winner, it will encourage twice as many participants and result in a far larger amount for the charity.
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That's a good point, but the issue there is that, unless I can convince everybody to paypal their revenue to one person, we'd have to take everybody's word that they'd each send 10% to the winner. I dunno if it would work.
 
alexb said:
That's a good point, but the issue there is that, unless I can convince everybody to paypal their revenue to one person, we'd have to take everybody's word that they'd each send 10% to the winner. I dunno if it would work.
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Well fair enough, but how can we trust them to send 100% to a charity if we cannot trust them to send 10% to a fellow WF member? Worst case scenario a couple people don't pay up, and get banned (pending mod agreement :P).
 
I think a rule should be that the domain be registered on Jan 1st so it is fair so nobody uses a domain that already has backlinks and so on.
 
DavidL said:
I think a rule should be that the domain be registered on Jan 1st so it is fair so nobody uses a domain that already has backlinks and so on.
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On or after... I for one will be either still partying or slowly recovering on New Years Day, registering domains will be the last thing on my mind!

Although I can see the advantages of TDNAM etc for this, I vote for completely fresh domains too, makes it fairer.
 
For the charity, can we at least agree on what type of charity it will go to? I would prefer to send my money to a charity that benefits children. I'd rather not have it go to some addict in rehab for the 5th time.
 
alexb said:
For the charity, can we at least agree on what type of charity it will go to? I would prefer to send my money to a charity that benefits children. I'd rather not have it go to some addict in rehab for the 5th time.
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then step up your game, son, and win it! kids are counting on you! ha!
 
Goldie Dice said:
Well fair enough, but how can we trust them to send 100% to a charity if we cannot trust them to send 10% to a fellow WF member? Worst case scenario a couple people don't pay up, and get banned (pending mod agreement :P).
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this was addressed above by having a designated agent sell all sites as one solution. but really... you're going to cheat a charity... shameless.
 
radio said:
then step up your game, son, and win it! kids are counting on you! ha!
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Eh, how about this: Has to benefit people. No save the trees crap (I have nothing personal against trees. I find them much more civil than the majority of people).
 
This is such an awesome idea. I am all for charity, i just finished raising 1600 bucks in a month for charity with my Moustache. Although I am a noob and know I won't win, I'd be down for this as it will force me to learn. Sign me up :)
 
alexb said:
For the charity, can we at least agree on what type of charity it will go to? I would prefer to send my money to a charity that benefits children. I'd rather not have it go to some addict in rehab for the 5th time.
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We've all got our own causes. I'm with you on helping kids, but would rather help those outside the rich countries (personally, I'd go for WaterAid or WarChild). Some of us wouldn't choose to support medical research, other's not want to help inmates or veterans, then there's all the religious charities that might use the result of my hard work to spread the word of God or Allah...

I think the chance to chose who benefits would be a real incentive and the only condition should be that the they are a registered as a charity by an recognised body. (It's the Charity Commission here, is there a US equivalent?)
 
Yeah, I know what you're saying. I just don't want April to roll around, only to have Nickycakes win and decide to send the charity money to the 'Fleshlights for freedom fighters fund' or something.

All I'm saying is that we need to pick a charity that won't piss anybody off. That's why I suggested Child's Play.
 
Volume is in too. Let me know when the rules are finalized. and what's wrong with fleshlights for freedom fighters fund?
 
Alright, I made a site:
Awesome Charity 2009

You're all free to register and post. After I know who you are, I'll upgrade your accounts so that I don't have to approve everything before it goes live.
 
alexb said:
Yeah, I know what you're saying. I just don't want April to roll around, only to have Nickycakes win and decide to send the charity money to the 'Fleshlights for freedom fighters fund' or something.

All I'm saying is that we need to pick a charity that won't piss anybody off. That's why I suggested Child's Play.
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I can't see Child's Play pissing anyone off, but I can see people not being that motivated to raise money for it (especially if they aren't active in their country or state).

Maybe everyone taking part should declare their chosen charity at the start (kinda like celeb quiz shows)? That would give peeps chance to object to Jesus Loves Guns or whatever.

Just had a quick word with Jon about setting up a subforum, which would make it easier to organise and follow. I think we should run votes on some shit:

Group decide/each nominate charity before or winner decides?
%age to winner?
Additional spend? outsourcing? limits?
Sell separately/via single agent?
Requirement to disclose url/other info? (case studies?)
etc...
 
LazyHippy said:
Group decide/each nominate charity before or winner decides?
%age to winner?
Additional spend? outsourcing? limits?
Sell separately/via single agent?
Requirement to disclose url/other info? (case studies?)
etc...
Click to expand...


  • I like the idea of a group vote.
  • I was thinking 10% to the winner.
  • That's the hard question. I was hoping to see who could sell their site for the most with no real investment, but it's looking like that won't work.
  • Single agent.
  • I was planning on requiring disclosure. That way, people can see what's being done and maybe learn a few things too.
 
alexb said:
  • I like the idea of a group vote.
  • I was thinking 10% to the winner.
  • That's the hard question. I was hoping to see who could sell their site for the most with no real investment, but it's looking like that won't work.
  • Single agent.
  • I was planning on requiring disclosure. That way, people can see what's being done and maybe learn a few things too.
Click to expand...

I like the idea of requiring disclosure - makes it harder for anyone to cheat! Maybe each person taking part has to post their site (and choice of charity?) before the end of jan or something. If we get a subforum here then a new thread per entry - then if they want to make it a case study it's nice and easy.

It is hard to say no additional spend, but how about judging based on %age ROI? So someone could spend $10k but must make $100k to equal someone who spends $10 and makes $100? With all inc/exp accounted for. That should encourage people to keep spending to a minimum.

Good job with the site mate! (although those sidebar links make it look a bit biased! ;))
 
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