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Afternoon folks...I have a question for all of you.

I have noticed, over the last year or two, that the contests we have here at iKC have been dropping in participation and interest. The last couple we have done garnered single digits for folks joining in. So, I have to ask...Why? What is it that makes folks *not* want a free knife or gear? Are the contests too involved? Not creative enough? Are people looking for more modern styles or brands? Too many giveaways? Not enough? 

So, I ask you, the members, what kinds of contests tickle your fancy? What do you think would get more participation? We would love to hear from you and get your opinions on how we can make our contests more desirable. iKC is all about our members and your suggestions and content make this site what it is! Let's get some ideas rolling on how to make our site a bit more fun!

Thanks for your input!

The Admin Team.

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I don't know about Y'all but I've seen a tremendous drop in participation around the entire Knife community, Seems like everyone just stopped buying, selling or even just conversing about them. For me the simpler the better on the contests. Its a time thing for me, I just dont have enough of it to go around searching for items on a site expecially one as large and complex as this one.

I do agree with the other comment that the site is hard to navigate, Sometimes I click a link in an email that should take me right to it and I still cannot find what was being talked about.

Thanks for all you do here Manx. The contests are great and truly appreciated....

I tend not to get into the contests and there are a few reasons for that.

I am more of a knife user than collector, though being a knife user in the UK has its own set of problems, and I have as many knives as I can use at the moment.

Shipping a knife over here is expensive and if it is one I don't have a need for it seems better to let someone else have it.

I don't have trouble finding my way around iKC, but that maybe because it is the only knife site I use!

  I not much of a contest person. most of the contests I have entered are a sign up and wait for the winner to be picked. If there is a question air that goes with it I pass on it. 

So, what I am getting on the Contest front is "the simpler/easier, the better." I appreciate the input from those that have added to the conversation.

For me, not in an administrative role, I rather enjoy a contest that takes some thought and creativity. I feel if the person/site is going to take the time/effort/money to supply something for nothing, doing a bit of work to show my appreciation is not far fetched. It makes it more enjoyable for those participating, it is entertaining for the members to come in each day and read the new entries, and it makes the folks doing the GAW (give-away) feel appreciated and that folks are having fun. While I fully understand that some folks don't have time to post 100 pictures to get entered, and many of those types of contests I will avoid, I think it is a pretty cool feeling knowing I supported the person who gave their time and items  for someone else to obtain. Again...these are my opinions based on when I participate in a contest thrown by other folks or sites.

I also have to agree with Dan, that in general, the knife world online has kind of slipped into a lull. I have noticed this on many pages and sites I am on. I have also noticed that sites and pages offer contests to boost their member activity, and more and more people only want to type "in" and wait for their prize. Many sites I am on have either cut down or flat-out stopped giveaways because there is no increase in activity when there are only 50 posts of "in", and that does not really encourage discussion or even entertainment. The trade off for activity from freebies is getting smaller and smaller. Commercial sites can augment that with charging for advertising space, charging to post pictures, charging to ask a question or charging for having an opinion. Smaller sites or communities are more about their members than the dollar signs, and that is where the member participation makes a difference. Again...these are observations I have made outside of iKC.

I guess what I am looking for is a way to make contests fun and enjoyable for all, and not just the winners. Something that adds to the site, and engages folks for the duration of the contest. Something you *want* to log in for to see what the new entries are to get a laugh. This is your community, folks. You make iKC what it is. We just make sure (or try our best to make sure) that things run smoothly and properly. Your opinions count, and we want to hear them!

Thanks...

Steve

Steve,
I don't enter contests, here, because of the administrative role, even those that have been open, to us.
I, too, like a "simple" contest. Those that ask you to "like, share, post, tweet, etc," are a turn off, for me.
I do like those, that often show up where you simply post a related photo. I always enjoy the different pumpkin designs, each year.
As the year winds down, I'll be on the lookout for more holiday themed photos to show up.

I agree with Carl.  I don't want to take anything away from possibly someone who is collecting a knife brand or style that is in a raffle especially if it isn't something I collect.  Hopefully the person who wins the knife needs it for their collection

and will enjoy the knife more than I. 

I have rather intentionally stayed out of this conversation, watching from the bleachers.  While this was going on so was a contest run by a member and that contest had over 60 entries. Here is what I think may have occurred.  

The offered knives were 2/3 customs

Entry was just a click and then send an email

Here is my question

If we were to go to custom or semi custom offerings are you more likely to enter?

As for just sending an email to enter, this becomes more difficult.  I receive over 500 emails a day, I would not want to miss someones entry.  Also many of our knives come from sponsors, I would feel remiss if I did not work the contest around the person donating it.

2018 - I want to offer iKC what the members want.  Speak up!

 

Maybe send an email to members. I know FB I don't always see the contests in my feed...

Personally I prefer traditional, non-custom knives as prizes. As nice as owning a custom would be I prefer a knife I can use, and I would most likely never use a custom. That being said I would enter a contest no matter what the variety of prize being offered was, it's fun either way.

Jan Carter said:

Here is my question:

If we were to go to custom or semi custom offerings are you more likely to enter?

2018 - I want to offer iKC what the members want.  Speak up!

 

For me customs and semi-customs would be more attractive.

Jan Carter said:

I have rather intentionally stayed out of this conversation, watching from the bleachers.  While this was going on so was a contest run by a member and that contest had over 60 entries. Here is what I think may have occurred.  

The offered knives were 2/3 customs

Entry was just a click and then send an email

Here is my question

If we were to go to custom or semi custom offerings are you more likely to enter?

As for just sending an email to enter, this becomes more difficult.  I receive over 500 emails a day, I would not want to miss someones entry.  Also many of our knives come from sponsors, I would feel remiss if I did not work the contest around the person donating it.

2018 - I want to offer iKC what the members want.  Speak up!

 

I don't get it.  Free knives!  It should be a no brainer.  Speaking for myself, I like to participate, but when I do not participate it is usually plain laziness on my part.  Confession.

  As far as contests go....The simpler the better...I actually prefer traditional patterns, BUT No more Barlows please....I think they are extremely Boring, although I am also acutely aware that many will disagree with that.I personally wouldn't walk across the room to pick up a free one.

  So for me, make the contests simpler and lets get some good ol' fashioned traditional folders or maybe even a Sheath Knife.

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