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Official Best WordPress Design 2009 Contest Guidelines

Keller Hawthorne | July 28, 2009 | 8 Comments

Best WP Design Contest

Now that FresheVenture.com is running faster than ever on my new web server, it’s time for us to begin the festivities! This post explains the details of our contest. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the timeline and details – your help is much appreciated :)!

Submissions Open Saturday, August 1st, 2009

If you want to submit your blog for inclusion, make sure to save the date! Submissions will be accepted from August 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009.

As a little incentive for you, I’ve decided to feature the first 10 blog submissions in my sidebar until submissions close! This is FREE PUBLICITY and EXPOSURE for your blog, so make sure you sign up ASAP!

I will be announcing the standings on a weekly basis in my newsletter. In order for you to stay updated about the contest, please join my newsletter (top of page) or sign up for my RSS!

Basic Idea of the Contest:

This is an attention grabbing, traffic generating, share the love contest I wanted to launch for my fellow bloggers. Whether you’re a brand-spankin’ newbie or an experienced blogger, this is a great opportunity for YOU to get your blog featured!

Contest Sponsors

I am so proud to announce the following sponsors of our contest!

Become a Blogger

StudioPress

OIOpublisher

Internet Marketing Sweetie

If you would like to become a sponsor of our contest, please contact me.

Contest Timeline:

August 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009: Submissions/Nominations Accepted
September 1, 2009 to October 2, 2009: Voting Open
October 6, 2009: Winner and Finalists Announced!

Who May Enter?

New and experienced BLOGGERS ONLY
Any blog that is WordPress Powered
Even if your design is a customized free or premium WP theme, you are eligible – I’m an example of this type of blogger (of course, I’m not eligible to enter). I used StudioPress’ Lifestyle Theme as the skeleton of my blog.
Don’t have a blog? You can still submit your favorite design for inclusion!
Bloggers Who Need or Want Some Attention

Win Fantastic Prizes!

1. Winner Receives:

Become a Blogger Premium Membership ($247.00)
StudioPress All-Themes Package ($199.95)
OIOpublisher WordPress Ad Manager Plugin ($47.00)
Affiliate Marketing Sweetie Course ($37.95)
Free Review of Your Blog on FresheVenture.com – Priceless :)
Featured on FresheVenture.com Home Page and Newsletter – Priceless :)
Special Badge for Your Blog – Priceless :)

2. Five Finalists Each Receive:

Your Choice of One StudioPress Theme ($59.95)
Featured on FresheVenture.com Home Page and Newsletter – Priceless :)
Special Badge for Your Blog – Priceless :)

3. Newbie Blogger (2009) with Most Votes Receives:

This is a special incentive to my fellow newbie bloggers who may need an extra push to submit your blog. I launched this contest to help you get more traffic – so please take advantage!

As a special gift to the newbie blogger that receives the most votes, I will personally write a Review of Your Blog on FresheVenture.com! Requirement: You must have launched your blog in 2009 to be considered a newbie blogger.

How Do I Enter?

On August 1st, you will have access to a submission form here at FresheVenture.com. To submit your blog for inclusion, simply fill out the form. If you want to nominate someone else’s blog, you may leave a comment on the submission page and I will personally attempt to contact your nominee.

Important Submission Requirement

Since this contest relies on traffic and word-of-mouth marketing, I have decided to require all nominees to post about the contest on your blog. It doesn’t have to be a long or detailed post – just something that will get the word out there for everyone. Simply announcing that you have been nominated is acceptable.

Once you’ve provided a link to your post in the submission form, your blog will become an official nominee!

Who May NOT Enter?

WP Theme Submissions Not Accepted – This is a contest for bloggers, not designers. If you are a WP theme designer, you may enter YOUR OWN blog for inclusion or nominate someone who uses (and has customized) your theme on their blog.

Should I Submit My Blog?

If you LOVE your design, then sure!
If you think you have something that makes your design stand out, go ahead and enter!
Want some FREE publicity? Need some extra traffic? Take advantage of this opportunity!

How Will People Vote?

Once submissions are closed, all of the blog nominees will be added to FresheVenture.com and people will be able to vote for their favorite. Each person gets only 1 vote.

How Will People Know to Vote for Me?

Once you submit your nomination, you will be provided with a badge that you can add to your blog. This badge says “I’ve Been Nominated for the Best WordPress Design of 2009! Vote for Me Here…” The link will take them to the voting page on my blog.

Your submission post is another way to drive voters!

How Do I Get Votes?

Talk about the contest on your blog, tweet it and do anything else you can to get the word out there! I will be spreading the word and I’m sure our sponsors will be as well, but if you don’t tell people to vote for you, they may vote for someone else…

I would like this to be a community effort – spread the word, just don’t spam!

I’m really hoping a lot of newbie bloggers or bloggers struggling with traffic will enter. If you need some love or think your blog deserves some attention, this contest is for you!