Why do bloggers run contests? It’s simple, they do it to increase exposure and build up their stats. But why would you offer incentives if you are simply not going to pay? In the long run, you’ll lose more than just those participants you screwed over.

Personally, I have been screwed over twice and it has been on two very different occasions. The first, I participated in a contest that was giving away various prizes to five lucky contestants. And ‘oh look,’ I wasn’t the top prize winner, but ended up with a fourth place prize. I contacted the person hosting the contest on two different occasions and never heard anything back.

The sad part about all of this, the prize that I won was just a cheap fourth place prize – equivalent to a simple backlink or something – and nothing.

So why make a big deal post about it? It’s not about the prize; it’s about the moral behind the issue – “Don’t Hold Contests if You Are ‘Not’ Going to Payout… even if it’s a fourth place prize!”

In addition, this blog seems to be pretty popular (and no, I’m not going to reveal their names) but hopefully if they continue to hold contests they actually pay out… to EVERYONE even if they won a cheap prize.

And the other occasion that I vaguely mentioned on the post “People Sick of Blogs about Blogging/Making Money Online”, I should’ve went with my gut feeling and voted for Tyler Cruz. And I don’t mean to jump the gun on this situation but someone offered incentives to vote for him and it looks like I didn’t get my incentives. Matter of fact, it looks like I’m not the only one.

This person offered t-shirts, Entrecard credits and backlinks to vote for him. Honestly, I could care less about all three but again, it’s the moral behind the issue.

And yes, I did try to contact this person but there was no response via their contact form or from their commenting section. Also, based on a couple of comments I’ve read, other people couldn’t get in touch with this person either.

I’m sure you guys can figure this person out because it’s quiet obvious, but like I said before, I should have voted for Tyler Cruz (sorry man!) and if I could go back and do it over, I would. I mean, the incentives that Cruz offered were given even before the contest was over. That’s an obvious contest host that knows a little bit about morality.

If you know me, you know I’m all about giving back to the community and helping out, but apparently the good guys tend to get screwed over more, huh?

So all and all, why should I spend the time to go through the work to help someone out that hosts a contest if, at the end, they’re just going to screw people over?

I don’t know what’s worse, these types of situations or “Blogging Theft – Bloggers Steal Other Peoples’ Work.”

You tell me.

Update: I got a reply back from one person so we’re good. But the moral still remains, if you hold a contest and offer incentives, please pay the winner!

ContestsBlog ContestTyler Cruz