December photo contest

[ShazzieB]

I am the host for this month's contest, and I've never done this before, so I apologize for the late start. This is your heads up that the contest will be starting soon. Exactly how soon is up for discussion, and I could use some input.

I am very flexible as to the starting date myself. Since I'm getting started late, I was thing of putting up the submission and comments threads a week from now, to give people a full week to chose their entries, take new photos, or whatever. However, Christmas is coming soon, and a lot of people get really busy this time of year, so if people would like the contest to start sooner, I would be happy to oblige.

Basically, I need to know how much lead time people need. I understand a week is customary, but it people don't really need that much lead time, I could make the start date much earlier.

Again, I apologize for my rookie mistake of not getting things started earlier in the month. Thank you for your patience!

[brer cat]

1. Thank you for hosting, ShazzieB!

[Mira]

2. You can do it. It's a nail biter the first time.

Have you announced the theme? The winner of the November contest gets to give you/us the theme. If yes -I apologize for the question. I just have not seen it.
That's an immediate first.

Then, make the submission thread and the comment thread. Copy the wording from other previous threads.
Put a time limit on it of at least a week so folks can take photos or go through their archives.

By that time, you are off and running to study the archived threads on how to run the contest.
Don't feel alone; many will step in and help. Just ask.

[ShazzieB]

5. The theme is Autumnl

I meant to include that in the post, lol.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. Isn't this month the Fall theme?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. It sure is, my dear Diamond_Dog! December's theme is Autumn, or Fall.

[mnhtnbb]

6. Go ahead and open Submissions soon.

The Autumn--or Fall-theme is one most people will have been taking shots for in the last couple of months. Usually, Submissions stay open for a week, but can fill up sooner, especially when people have been anticipating the theme.
In order to finish the contest before Christmas, it would be a good idea to get Submissions open soon.

Thanks for hosting! The easiest way to do it for the first time is to use a previous contest as a template. CaliforniaPeggy hosted the last seasonal (September) contest --for Summer- so if you follow what she did, you'll do fine. Copy and paste what you can, and then change the variables, like the theme name, and insert the appropriate links to the threads that you will make for this contest. Once you determine the pattern for constructing the threads, it will then just be a matter of filling in the blanks.

Link to September Submissions https://www.democraticunderground.com/1036135336

When you get ready to post the Preliminary threads, you can do the same thing. For example, here's the link to announcing the Preliminary threads of the Summer contest --which posts in Photography--but you'll notice the Preliminary Threads (and Finals) post in GD for everyone to vote.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1036135875

And so on, for the Finals thread, announce in Photography, but post in GD for voting, and then the Winners announcement the same process. For each of them you can go back and see how California Peggy set them up in September.

[ShazzieB]

7. Thanks for the feedback.

I will do as you suggest, and open the contest early next week, probably Monday or Tuesday. CaliforniaPeggy has been giving me a lot of help already, but I appreciate the suggestions you've givem me here as well.

Thanks again.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

8. We're here to help.

Some helpful hints...

Double and triple check everything.

Keep records of everything until the contest is over.

I often compose things offline in MSWord and then cut and paste into DU, adjusting the spacing and formatting.

Don't hesitate to reach out through DMs for help and advice.