Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan Fitzgerald on November 12, 2017 at 19:07

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....

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Permalink Reply by John Bamford on November 13, 2017 at 12:18

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!

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Permalink Reply by Wally Guittard on November 13, 2017 at 14:56

  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. 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on November 14, 2017 at 15:44

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

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Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on November 14, 2017 at 16:08

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.

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Permalink Reply by Frederick Fisher on November 16, 2017 at 18:30

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. 

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 27, 2017 at 18:13

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!

 

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Permalink Reply by Roy Dunn on November 27, 2017 at 18:47

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

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on November 27, 2017 at 19:14

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!

 

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Permalink Reply by Rick Propas on November 27, 2017 at 19:34

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!

 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Hall on November 27, 2017 at 19:52

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.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Johnson on November 27, 2017 at 21:01

  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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