Wrapping Up Some Sticky Business: Our Contest Ends
More than a month ago, we asked our readers whether they’ve ever wanted to get unstuck from where they are. Where did they want to be? What was holding them back from reaching their dream.
Was it was money? We had the right contest for them. We’re giving away nearly $20,000 in prizes to help three lucky people get unstuck from where they are to stick to where they want to be. We want to help people reach their big dreams of a small business.
Very special thanks goes to all of our sponsors, the people who believed in what we wanted to accomplish with this contest. Guys? Without you, we couldn’t have helped so many people. Your support was fantastic.
Duct Tape Marketing Authorized Coaches Elizabeth Walker and Ken Burgin
Traffick’d
Tech Solution
Brand-Ohs
Remarkable Communication
Rock Your Day
Scribizzy
IttyBiz
Writing Journey
Remarkablogger
SEO Content Solutions
Get It In Writing
Writing White Papers
Freelance Switch
Darren Rowse
Chris Garrett
Heart of Business
Small Fuel Marketing
Finance Your Freedom
Berry-Brewer Freelance
Theme Forest
Vandelay Web Design
Freelance Writing Jobs
WordPrezzie
Self-Made Chick
We did more than put on a great contest, though. We designed a system around this prize giveaway that made sure everyone was a winner. It wasn’t just a simple drop-your-name-and-forget-about-it contest. No, not at all.
We made people think.
(*GASP!*)
We posted the tasks after participants had completed them so that we could reach even more people with our contest. Those who missed signing up, those from other countries… People appreciated the opportunity we offered – four fast task that could help them progress towards their dreams and get them where they wanted to be.
People enjoyed the contest. Many people wrote in with personal notes about how they were winners no matter what. Some told us stories about how we’d helped provide exactly what they needed, and a few are already on their way to starting their own business.
All they needed was a little guidance and a kick start. Reaching your dreams really isn’t that hard. It just takes thought.
You can still play at home for fun – or to help yourself move closer to a lifelong goal of being a small business owner. Click on each link to find the first three tasks:
Task One, the business concept
Task Two, differentiation
Task Three, pricing
Here is Task Four, the last task in our contest:
You’ve already outlined your business idea, and you’ve decided how you’re going to differentiate your business from the rest. You’ve figured out how to price your products and help create profits.
Here’s an important tip for your business success: To sell, businesses need to know their targeted audience.
Your task is to determine your ideal customer profile. For example, who would be your ideal client? Why would he or she shop with you? What does he seek and want? What habits does she have they you can tie into? What are his goals and aspirations? Her problems? How do these fit with your business?
Our judges are hard at work determining which of the 34 finalists will win one of three fantastic prizes. It’ll take some time to read and examine all of the tasks, but we’ll be back soon with the names of three prize winners.
Like we said, though, everyone’s a winner. Thank you to all who played along, both for prizes and for fun. We wish you the best of luck, and we’re here to support your endeavors.
Note: As per official contest rules and regulations, prizewinners will be announced on or before March 1st, 2009.
8 Responses to “Wrapping Up Some Sticky Business: Our Contest Ends”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
Go ahead. Leave a Comment!
-
Affiliate Program
-
James Is Reading…
-
Social Hookups
As Seen In…
Overheard on the Web
MwP is Powered by…
March 1st? Good thing I’ve been learning patience!
But seriously, as much as I hope I’m one of the winners, I very much enjoyed this contest. It helped me focus my business in a big way and I now know exactly who I want to reach and why which gives me a big hand in figuring out how.
Thanks for running this and thanks to all the sponsors! You all rock!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post…On Being Productive Despite Procrastination
@ Alex – Well, hopefully much sooner. We gave ourselves a long lead time because god only knew if we’d have one entry or one hundred thousand
I imagine this comment is nothing new or invigorating, but the value of this contest was substantial for me. It came around just about the time I was scratching my head trying to figure out a little focus and direction. The tasks forced me to really look at things from a business perspective, which is exactly what I needed.
I mean, I’m all about charity and non-profit corps, I just don’t want Tumblemoose to be a non-profit corpse
Thanks, guys. I learned a bunch.
Cheers!
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post…Write like you’re dying
Because thinking is HARD!!
–Deb´s last blog post…Dumped On
Beautiful and effective set of tasks.
I think it’s clarity and action that make more dreams happen than dumb luck. My favorite definition of luck is when skill and opportunity come together.
Here’s a set of questions I used to test organizational clarity. It lines up well with your tasks:
- Vision/Mission: What’s the one-liner vision and mission?
- Customers: Who’s the customer?
- Problems: What domains or problems does it focus on?
- Business Case; What’s the internal and external business case?
- Measures of Success; What’s the measures of success?
- Catalog / Product Line: What’s the product line / deliverables / results?
- Rhythm of Results: What’s the product cycle or rhythm of results?
I’m question-driven, but isn’t thinking just asking and answering questions?
J.D. meier´s last blog post…My Favorite Personal Development Books
This is such a smart contest – by making people work a little, they’re going to actually earn the prizes, and they should because all the prizes are great for serious but new entrepreneurs. Thanks for inviting me to participate as a sponsor. It’s been a lot of fun watching the contest unfold.
Melissa Donovan´s last blog post…Before You Hire a Website Copywriter…
Your task is to determine your ideal customer profile. For example, who would be your ideal client? Why would he or she shop with you? What does he seek and want? What habits does she have they you can tie into? What are his goals and aspirations? Her problems? How do these fit with your business?….
Interestingly enough, this is one of the first things that an entrepreneur should focus on before even starting a business.
Congratulations on a great contest. The tasks were spot on.
Thanks everyone. We had a good time putting this together and I think that those who stuck it out to the end are truly the ones who deserve a shot at the rewards.
Hell, Meryl even submitted her tasks after having hand surgery. Ouch!