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By Jane Eckert
The Brochure Design & Contest Rules
Of course, you can design the contest and the rules to suit yourself but here are a few things to consider:
- Include a space for the official entry with name, address, email address and basic contact information on your flyer.
- Tell them where and how the entries will be accepted. (In person only, or by mail.)
- Tell them the date the entries are due. I prefer to have the contest run for the full year that you are open. That way you can get photo's from every season.
- Tell them the method you want to receive the photo. Size of photograph, digital image (do you want them via CD or email) etc.
- Tell them when the judging will occur and when and how winners will be announced. (They can even include a postage paid envelope to receive a list of the winners.)
- Decide and explain if you will be returning the non-winner photos. Generally this is the accepted approach.
- Be sure and explain the prizes on your brochure. Do you want a Grand Prize, 1st, 2nd, honorable mentions (or we call them "Great Mentions"). You decide. I like the flexibility of honorable mentions because it allows you to present as many honorable mentions as you want. This also allows you to keep all those good photos for your marketing.
- The prizes are what you want to make them. They don't have to be cash. You can offer gift certificates at your market, free admission to next year's corn maze, a free pie per month, free cut-your-own Christmas trees, etc. You decide. You could even get local merchants to offer prizes, and have them display your photo brochures at their place of business.
- Plan to display the winning photos sometime in the future at your market, and tell all entrants when the photos will be exhibited. (that will give them another reason to visit you)
- Most importantly, once you judge the winners - you will need them to sign a photo release. You may click here to see an example, but I encourage you to ask your own attorney if you have any questions.
If you still have questions about the design of a photo contest just call or email me. I'll be happy to answer your questions or look at your copy.
Jane Eckert, a national speaker, author and agritourism expert, is principal of Eckert AgriMarketing (www.eckertagrimarketing.com), a firm that helps farmers sell products directly to consumers and develop their operations into tourist destinations. Jane can be reached by phone 314-862-6288 or at jane@eckertagrimarketing.com
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