Feedback: New Rules For Future Contests?

Decorating By peacockplace Updated 13 Jul 2005 , 5:55pm by Jackie

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peacockplace Posted 2 Jul 2005 , 12:23am
post #1 of 70

This is just my opinion, but I don't like it when poeple who never, or hardly ever, post on this site enter their cakes in the contest. I'm not talking about newbies, but people who seem to sign up just for the contests. They don't post or share tips with everyone. It seems to me they just want to win. If I'm voting for people, I want to vote for someone whos a part of the CC family, who gives help, shares advice, and just chats with the rest of us.

Ok... that's I'm stepping off the soapbox now.LOL

69 replies
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gilpnh Posted 2 Jul 2005 , 4:29pm
post #2 of 70

Very interesting observation, I went and looked and as you pointed out, many of the entries are from persons who never or rarely post. Hmmmmm. I wonder if they get the email announcement for the contest and enter just to win?

Are the contests for past years works or is this supposed to be current work to help us stretch ourselves?

Just wondering. Heather

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klsunny Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 2:04am
post #3 of 70

Being a newbie myself, I probably have no business replying to this post, but I happened to agree with you on this topic. I am on the site just about every day reading all about the wonderful information and advice that so many of the talented decorators so openly share. I've referred several friends here so that they, too, can enjoy the photos and information here. I haven't gotten up the guts to do much posting because frankly, I didn't feel confident in my own abilities yet to post so entering my cake in the contest was a big step for me. That being said, I still think it should have been limited even though it means I wouldn't have been permitted to enter.

In the future, maybe the contests could be limited to people who have a certain number of posts or photos uploaded? Another bit of feedback is that the voting situation might be more clearly explained to everyone so that they are encouraged to rate as many cakes as they can and feel are deserving, instead of voting on/rating just one. I'm no statistician, so if the current method is truly the most fair then by all means, stick to it.

Just my two cents...

~Kelly (klsunny)

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peacockplace Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 4:17am
post #4 of 70

klsunny, This post totally wasn't about preventing newbies from entering! I just don't like it when I see people that have been members for months, and some almost two years, entering the contests when they haven't made a single post! I say if you want to be a part of the contest... you need to be a member of the community! Again, just my humble opinion!

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veejaytx Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 6:56am
post #5 of 70

I'm inclined to agree with you all. I started wondering about that when looking at the entries for the Mother's Day contest (I've only been here since March), and there entries by people I'd never heard of, and I was really glad when one of our own won it! It doesn't seem fair for somebody to just "pop in" and enter a contest and never show up again!

The winner of the Father's Day contest was so perfect I couldn't stand it! After I saw that one that I considered to be very professional I didn't bother redoing the one that I had messed up!

The voting is set up pretty fairly I think, if we all rate each cake, and not just the ones we especially like or even dislike, but it is a little confusing.
Janice

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bonnscakesAZ Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 5:19pm
post #6 of 70

i agree!

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momof3jotynjake Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 6:08pm
post #7 of 70

i will have to agree with you guys!
These people are never posting.. yet are entering the contest..
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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PurplePetunia Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 8:18pm
post #8 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by veejaytx


The winner of the Father's Day contest was so perfect I couldn't stand it! After I saw that one that I considered to be very professional I didn't bother redoing the one that I had messed up!




I agree here too. And I think I did comment on this before about the Christmas contest. It seems to me like the winners are professionals. I know for sure that the Christmas contest winner was and had her own business for some years as a "professional decorator and artist" according to her profile.

That's great for them, and their cakes are truly masterpieces, but how does the home decorater compete with them??

I didn't even bother to enter the mother's or father's day contest because I don't feel my one year of experience is enough to compete with the "pros".

Just my opinion.
Purple Petunia icon_smile.gif

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irisinbloom Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 8:43pm
post #9 of 70

I know what ya mean Purple Petunia, there is some really great cakes in the gallery and entered in the contest, but when it comes to competeing I just bow out, because like you I have only been decorating about a year and a half and I am nowhere near where I would love to be with my decorating skills, but this site has helped me greatly.

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bonnscakesAZ Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 9:05pm
post #10 of 70

Well I am new and posting regularly and would like to enter something but I have had a business for a while too. Does that mean I shouldn't? I think there are all levels of people entering.

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bonnscakesAZ Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 9:11pm
post #11 of 70

I think maybe there should be some rules. I went and looked and there are lots with 0 posts but they enter. Just doesn't seem right.
Maybe there should be different levels too. Maybe one month beginners, the next intermediate. So that there doesn't have to be more prizes but it might be more fair. I don't know just a thought.

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peacockplace Posted 3 Jul 2005 , 9:15pm
post #12 of 70

Glad you all agree with me. I know some people here are professionals, and that's fine if they are posting and sharing. I just don't like poeple who never post just coming on here to win the contest!

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PurplePetunia Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 3:14am
post #13 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonnscakesAZ

Well I am new and posting regularly and would like to enter something but I have had a business for a while too. Does that mean I shouldn't? I think there are all levels of people entering.




I don't think anyone here is saying that people with businesses or professional decorators shouldn't enter the contests.
We're just saying that it doesn't make for a fair competition.
So I would agree with you that maybe there should be contests for different levels of experience. That way, people like me (and I'm sure many others) wouldn't feel intimidated about entering a contest.

Purple petunia icon_smile.gif

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campbelland Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 6:58pm
post #14 of 70

I do read the post on here but I dont write in much. I think I did post one question. I am not a professional at all, only took the Wilton classes a year ago and just do the contest for the fun of it. I just mostly enjoy reading, not asking I guess.
Sandy[/quote]

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flayvurdfun Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 7:36pm
post #15 of 70

I noticed that as well... at first I thought there were going to be based on the different levels but I see it would cost too much on Jackie.
I do believe these should be for you all to stretch your present abilities, and you shouldnt be allowed to enter past cakes...but you would never know either way.... unless they said so, or the watermark is a date of the past.... just keep faith in your cake art and know it deserves a vote and you will get at least one... we all have your back... icon_lol.gif

edited to add:
Everyone has to know their cakes are great! I will from here on, not enter the contests but vote for each cake something!!!! 3+ stars at least... I dont want to take one vote from anyone who deserves it, and I did also see some cakes got no vote..... icon_redface.gif

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Jackie Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 8:58pm
post #16 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by peacockplace

This is just my opinion, but I don't like it when poeple who never, or hardly ever, post on this site enter their cakes in the contest. I'm not talking about newbies, but people who seem to sign up just for the contests. They don't post or share tips with everyone. It seems to me they just want to win. If I'm voting for people, I want to vote for someone whos a part of the CC family, who gives help, shares advice, and just chats with the rest of us.

Ok... that's I'm stepping off the soapbox now.LOL




Thank you for bring this up (It's actually something I have been thinking about) This is a community, which by definition everyone brings something to the table. I do not think its fair to the active members of the community to lose out to someone who does not participate in the community at all, and only enters one contest.

This is something I thought of when I first started doing the contests, which is why I do not allow anyone to win consecutive contests.

I have recently re-arranged the way the forum ranks are:
# of posts rank
-------------------------
0 - Newbie   
20 - Junior Member   
100 - Frequent Member      
200 - Regular Member      
500 - Forum Fanatic      
1000 - Forum Addict      
2000 - Forum SuperStar!      

Something I think may be a good idea is to limit contest entries to members that are at least a "Junior Member", meaning they have at least 20 forum posts under thier belt.

I would like to get some feedback from the community before making this an official rule. I want to be fair, and also make sure it's what you want.

What do you think about this?

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m0use Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 9:20pm
post #17 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jackie

     

Something I think may be a good idea is to limit contest entries to members that are at least a "Junior Member", meaning they have at least 20 forum posts under thier belt.

I would like to get some feedback from the community before making this an official rule. I want to be fair, and also make sure it's what you want.

What do you think about this?



I think that is a good idea.

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gilpnh Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 10:45pm
post #18 of 70

I like it I like it! I think having 20 posts is fair, it shows that someone has taken the time and effort to be a part of this community, not just in it to win a prize.
To those that dont enter because they dont feel their skill level is good enough. I don't neccessarliy vote on skill level, I vote more on how much thought I believe they put into the idea, the Mothers Day one is an example, it touched my emotions more than my decorating sense. I did not vote for the one that won the Fathers Day one, it was "perfect" decorator wise, but didnt pull on my heart and show me the thought put into provoking an emotion the way the Dad with his daughter one did.

What are your thoughts on submitting past works Jackie? I persoanlly would like to see it limitied to current works to stretch ourselves but I know that is hard to monitor, would have to be the honor system.

The 4th of July Twin Towers one is a beauty and pulls on my heart strings, but I have seen that one several times on other sites and in magazines and I believe is an award winner several times over. Even if only for its magazine coverage. My Sugar Cents. Heather

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veejaytx Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 11:39pm
post #19 of 70

This plan seems a lot more fair, thank you, Jackie!
I think to be a member of any group you should contribute as well as reap benefits!

Thank you too, Heather! I try to vote in a similar manner, not just on skill, but on thought, effort and heart!

Janice

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ump107 Posted 4 Jul 2005 , 11:56pm
post #20 of 70

I think the requirement that in order to post you need to be a junior member to post is a good Idea. However I think that also in order to continue to compete that you should continue to contribute to the forum, for each contest there should be a requirement that you have contributed either 5 posts or posted some pictures to the gallery of you new work. I know that it is extra work on Jackie or the moderators but it would keep the contest a little more fair. But if someone rapidly posts just to be able to enter the contest and stops contributing they should not be allowed to continue to compete.

I sorry but personally dont feel that cakes of the past should be entered into the contests. Granted some of the cakes presented in the contests are from different idea books I think that they should be fresh creations. It challenges all of us to come up with something new for each contest.

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tcturtleshell Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 12:37am
post #21 of 70

I agree w/ the Junior Member thing. Something that wasn't brought up was.... In order to vote I think you should at least be a Junior Member also! The reason, because someone could just have family members or friends join CC just to get their votes. That's not fair either! So I think you should have at least 20 votes or be a junior member to vote too.

What does everyone think of that? It is only fair~

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susanmm23 Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 12:45am
post #22 of 70

I agree with that. I have yet to enter a contest because i dont feel i am good enough yet. but plan on entering soon. The ones who enter but dont post wont even know they wont be able to enter because they probably dont even read the forums either!!!!!

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klsunny Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 2:13am
post #23 of 70

Excellent solution! I totally agree and think it is a good way to keep people active. I also think that limiting who can vote is a good idea. Heck, you could make up enough stuff to register bogus users to get votes if you wanted to. You'd have to want to win pretty badly though, I suppose.

Kelly

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KayDay Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 4:16am
post #24 of 70

I agree there should be some requirements before you can enter.....Either have a certain amount of posts or have been a member for a certain amount of time or at least have some other photos in a gallery first. Just my two cents...But I would personally never vote for one who just showed up the last day or so of the contest. I would vote for a regular member with a cake that was not nearly as perfect just because as you guys said b4 ...we share ...experiences, recipes, troubles and triumphs. It would feel almost like turning my back on a family member who was giving it their all...in favor of a stranger. icon_confused.gif

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KayDay Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 3:40pm
post #25 of 70

Also as someone mentioned trying to rapidly post 20 posts to be elegible should be grounds for disqualification but this stuff could turn into a lot of work for Jackie and the moderators...I know there is most likely a simple answer, but I have been trying hard to come up with an idea thats fair but not hard on the folks running the show and don't truly know what would be best. I would love to win one of the contests but don't care at all about the prize part, just getting votes of confidence on my work is enough for me! As far as the some folks being pros...I was thinking when I read that...what constitutes a pro? I own a shop, but some home decorators can beat me with their eyes closed...LOL... icon_lol.gif

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PurplePetunia Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 3:54pm
post #26 of 70

I, too, think it's a good idea to have some requirements to be eligible to enter a contest.

But what about the problem of professional cake decorators vs. home decorators??

A professional can still easily make 20 posts and then that would put them on the same level as a home decorator with little experience??


If I'm right about that, then I still don't think I would enter.

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Jackie Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 5:21pm
post #27 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurplePetunia

But what about the problem of professional cake decorators vs. home decorators??
Purple Petunia icon_smile.gif




I have already made the decision that at this time we won't be making any types of "skill level" contests. I have absolutely no way of moderating that. It is completely impossible for me at this point to decide who is a "beginner" or an "advanced".

If someone makes a cake, that some may personally feel is "inadequate" or "not good enough", my suggestion would be not to vote for this cake. I want everyone that participates in the community to have the same opportunity enter the contest as everyone else, regardless of their skill level.

Trust me, EVERY single cake in EVERY single contest gets a LOT of votes. So there is a chance of the "newbie" cake decorators to win a contest.


Quote:
Originally Posted by gilpnh

What are your thoughts on submitting past works Jackie? I persoanlly would like to see it limitied to current works to stretch ourselves but I know that is hard to monitor, would have to be the honor system.



This is not something I ever intend to make a rule, there is just absolutely no way for me to monitor this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ump107

I think that they should be fresh creations. It challenges all of us to come up with something new for each contest.



Again, there is absolutely no way for me to monitor this, however I have considered making a "special" contest during the summer or months where there are no real holidays, where its based on creating a "new" sugarpaste flower or something. Or cakes based on specific color schemes. (I have tons of ideas already from the many people
that posted)
Each individual has thier own interpretation of beauty and what stretches them.

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sls0812 Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 6:59pm
post #28 of 70

I think it is a good idea for only certain people to be able to enter the contest. I am still categorized as a newbie even though I am really a forum ADDICT! I am a stay at home mom and have an evening job (when my hubby gets home) I am on this site all of the time, but don't make cakes as often as someone, lets say, that owns their own shop. I would still like to be able to enter the contest though. I don't think I have a chance at winning compared to some others I've seen, but you never know unless you try, right?
PS - I love this site and everyone on here is so great. Everytime I need help with something, yall are there in a flash! Thanks

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sls0812 Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 7:01pm
post #29 of 70

Well, I made it to Junior member! Nevermind the newbie part (but Im still an Addict)
Must have hit the 20 mark with my 4th of July cake!
YEAH!!!

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KATE39 Posted 5 Jul 2005 , 7:26pm
post #30 of 70

I AGREE WITH THE JUNIOR MEMBER STATUS. IT IS ONLY FAIR. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO DO THIS!

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