tag:support.namestation.com,2010-11-04:/discussions/suggestions/422-suggestion-to-encourage-contest-winners-picked-and-closureNameStation: Discussion 2016-08-11T02:56:02Ztag:support.namestation.com,2010-11-04:Comment/259552982013-03-19T16:13:33Z2013-03-19T16:13:33ZSuggestion to Encourage Contest Winners Picked and Closure<div><p>Hi Michele, I can see how this can be frustrating, I'll
definitely have to do something about it.</p>
<p>We're a bit constrained by the contest price, I've tried rising
the contest price to $40, which resulted in a 40% drop in the
number of contests. For CH-s, a name contest is basically an
experiment, there is no way to guarantee that they'll eventually
end up using one of the names. $35 seems to be the maximum that CHs
are willing to depart with to give it a try.</p>
<p>I'll have to give it a bit of thought. I can try and add
additional steps to the contest process, although complexity tends
to fence CH-s off a bit. I'll also try sending more reminders.</p>
<p>Tauno</p></div>Taunotag:support.namestation.com,2010-11-04:Comment/259552982013-03-19T21:54:58Z2013-03-19T21:54:58ZSuggestion to Encourage Contest Winners Picked and Closure<div><p>Well, I mentioned the extra $5 to help offset the costs of the
provided PRO but if the cost can be covered by other resources (I
assumed unawarded contest funds go back into NS for
operating/improvement costs and complimentary PROs to the winners
of other contests.) then perhaps the extra perk would provide
incentive for more contests to be closed by the CH. There must be
other factors that cause a drop in contests as well. I’ve
noticed quite a drop in the past couple of weeks. For many,
I’m sure they choose Namestation for the low cost. There is
probably an equal percentage where this is not a determining factor
based on the fact that they are running the same contest on another
site and awarding $100+ to the winning name. I have seen these
fairly often, but I know of one currently that is due to close on
Namestation today. It was run on another site and closed a couple
of days ago there. A winner was chosen and awarded $100. Will they
also designate a winner and close the contest here? Interestingly,
the name chosen on the other site is one that is also submitted on
Namestation. Don’t know if it’s the same person using
different usernames between the two sites or if it was taken by
someone else since the names are publicly visible in the contest
here. But the point is… cost obviously wasn’t the
factor in choosing Namestation for this one and these are not that
uncommon. On the other hand, it would be a shame to make any
changes that would push those away that do choose Namestation for
the reasonable cost.</p>
<p>I posted this subject hoping other namers might chime in with
ideas too and perhaps CHs would also jump in to shed some light on
anything that either namers or Namestation can do to make it more
desirable and easier to choose a winner and close the contest that
they paid for (and to make NS their service of choice for any
future naming needs). Based on previously mentioned observations,
it’s not that namers aren’t coming up with great names
that they like. Also, I get the impression that the namers here
really love Namestation (as do I) and want to do everything
possible for Namestation to be one of the best choices for naming
contests by providing the best experience and names to the CH. Is
there anything we, as namers, can do to help the CH make a final
decision and close the contest?</p></div>Michele