Market Research

No major media is going to get behind a $50 prize though.

 

it all depends.... if it's a slow news day and a good story it could make the paper...maybe not cnn, but the local news....word could then spread....but you're right 50$ might not work but 1k would

 

Even then though, the local media would only care if it's got a local focus. I just don't think it's newsworthy as it's proposed. At 1k.... maybe on some online media (but even then if you have to "buy" into it in a lottery fashion, it's still not newsworthy.... if it were, the media would care about every little state lottery offering $10k-25k, etc.... but they don't). If it were just some guy was giving away $1000 on his website for some good reason... newsworthy. I just really don't think the lottery idea would go over very well w/ or w/o media backing.

Jenn

 

i don't disagree...i just think if he's going for it...the only hope is the meida pick it up...otherwise it's not going to work...a site like that will get lost in the shuffle

 

1> jackpot will need to be big. 100k or bigger

2> you will need to show credibility, as others have said. Official small print at bottom of page showing the juristiction you are licensed in.

3> you WILL NEED to be licensed by some authority, or you risk being shut down, or worse, legal problems that could include jail time. Offshore, gambling friendly, countries are your best bet.

4> consider legallity of who can purchase tickets. Owners of large online sports betting sites located in England have recently been arrested in US for taking bets from American citizens.

This is not a cheap and easy venture! If you think you can simply throw up a site and charge $1 via paypal you are mistaken.

 

I think some of you misunderstood. The jackpot wouldn't be $50. It's just in the poll. The jackpot depends on how many people buy the ticket.

 

Perhaps a more effective approach would be to add some humor to it, like some sort of self parody.

Something along these lines:

You have a higher chance to be hit by a truck, than to win at this lottery

The most spectacular lottery ever, with a prize that will allow you to win enough money to err... pay almost half of your rent.

Think you got the idea. Anyway it would be much easier to attract media attention with such a formula, including those ellusive bloggers Jenn keeps talking of.

Hope this helps.

Regards, George

 

I have a different opinion than most of the other posters here. I think it might work and some people WILL still play even if you don't have any solid proof that the winner will receive his/her money. Remember that this is a webmaster forum and most members here are educated people and know alot about eBusiness, internet marketing and stuff. Most regular people will just see the sign - "Win $1000 today!!!" and play. Hell I know alot of people who would click on obvious scam links like "Click here immediately to claim your cash!!!!!" etc. So, in short, I would give it a chance!

Good luck!

P.S. I agree with getting the results published in some newspaper or even a trusted news website. It will have two positive effects:

1. More exposure
2. Trust - You can put a screeshot of the newspaper that published the results of your previous lottery or a link to the news website that published it. I'm sure it will add a lot of creditiblity. Just get it published somewhere.

 

Thanks guys. Very good advice

 

I think this is a little off-base. If anything, webmasters know that online transactions are generally secure and would be more likely to do something that involves transferring money online. Regular Joes still tend to be skeptical about how safe their personal information would be online, especially with a no-name site. If you ask someone to send you a dollar for a contest, basic logic says "what's the harm?" But that's not how a lot of people are going to look at it. Instead, asking for so little seems like it would be an easy way to trick people into simply forking over their credit card or other info. If you were an established site already for other reasons (quality content), and then you added a lottery-style thing (and legally of course) as a side feature, the story might be different.

Jenn

 

Also true.
I think may be he could run a small lottery here on DP and members could send say $5.. I'm not sure if it's allowed though...should read FAQ, or ask Shawn......It's not allowed on eBay for instance......

 

heh cool. I was thinking of creating something for DP. First thought was a search engine - For DP and for DP's members. I'd also give the rights to Shawn and co. But I realised DP will have mods etc.. that can do it just as good if not better. Would be awesome to give something back to DP so-to-speak

 

I think you should give it a try. Ask Shawn, ask mods (You can post in "Feedbacks/Suggestions" section)

Good luck

 

Ok I'll give it some thought thanks