Comps that require 'effort' - how do you decide if they are worth doing?

bluehydrangeas

I've been comping for a while and I usually avoid comps that have the description 'effort required'. These can include submitting a story, picture or some kind of experience you have had. I have noticed that these comps usually receive less views and entries than comps where you simply fill a form out. That being said, do you find these Effort Required comps to be worth the effort?

Dormouse1940

Always worth it if it's something you really want and you win!

Blueyez

I take a look on how many entries there already are, how long till the comp closes and if I do enter effort comps I don't spend more than half an hour on an entry. I have won several drawing comps this year- one I entered only had five other entries (and there wasn't a limit on how many times you could enter too) the prize was a pair of shoes of your design to be manufactured & sold and a pair for you -the shoes retail at £100 a pair. I won and my prize will be delivered in the new year. I won a colouring book and pencils in a sunny d comp where only three other people entered-all that was required was to design a bottle of sunny D.

Marg2k8

I quite like caption competitions and will spend maybe 30 minutes.

I avoid any like the plague that require you to bake something and submit a photo.

dizzyc

3 of my best wins were effort comps - I won my wedding in the Bahamas by submitting a photo, a trip to the Cayman Islands by spending ages on a quiz then doing a tiebreaker, and a trip to New York by writing a poem on why I wanted to be a wizard!

I actually prefer the effort ones to be honest

hdh74

Depends what the prize is and whether the effort is something I would enjoy doing. I once spent a whole day baking and decorating a cake for a comp. But that's something I enjoyed doing. And the prize was worth £400. And I won. But if I hadn't I still produced something I was proud of that we all enjoyed eating.

yorkie18

It depends on the prize. I don't do many effort ones because I'm not creative at all and I find that's what most of them need. I have done some but only if it's something I'm desperate for!

AubreyMac

Blueyez wrote: »

I take a look on how many entries there already are, how long till the comp closes and if I do enter effort comps I don't spend more than half an hour on an entry. I have won several drawing comps this year- one I entered only had five other entries (and there wasn't a limit on how many times you could enter too) the prize was a pair of shoes of your design to be manufactured & sold and a pair for you -the shoes retail at £100 a pair. I won and my prize will be delivered in the new year. I won a colouring book and pencils in a sunny d comp where only three other people entered-all that was required was to design a bottle of sunny D.

How do you know how many have entered?


I avoid effort ones as there are more comps than I have time for so would prefer to just enter as much as possible.

booklover500

dizzyc wrote: »

3 of my best wins were effort comps - I won my wedding in the Bahamas by submitting a photo, a trip to the Cayman Islands by spending ages on a quiz then doing a tiebreaker, and a trip to New York by writing a poem on why I wanted to be a wizard!

I actually prefer the effort ones to be honest

Wow - you've done really well! I don't know about you but I always enjoy effort wins more as I feel proud of myself for being chosen as the winner rather than it being random.

Some of my best wins have been effort ones too - a £500 Red Letter day experience, A big baking bundle, £100 Love2Shop vouchers amongst others.

These were for recipes, creative ideas and saying why a friend deserved to win.

However, I hate it when I spend ages writing a poem or taking a photo etc making sure I fulfil the brief and then the winner hasn't stuck to the rules and still wins - it's infuriating!

Blueyez

AubreyMac wrote: »

How do you know how many have entered?


I avoid effort ones as there are more comps than I have time for so would prefer to just enter as much as possible.

I've only entered ones on Social media, often there is a specific post to attach your entry or a hashtag to use. Also, if it requires you to upload to their website, sometimes there is a 'gallery' of entries.