If you really want to see how to run a good contest, check this one out: http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplac…ntest/3080

They've had over 200 entries to your measly 90 or so and given feedback on
every single one. It shows that they really care about the product they are
getting.

Milton is nowhere near the gospel truth or current-day benchmark, loveofbusiness. (And some of us have indeed been doing this as long or longer than you (...since 1975)). As far as market value goes, that's actually not the main point (sorry Winger). The main point is respect. Perhaps you could look at it this way: remuneration here at Sitepoint includes both monetary and intangible reward, the latter being largely comprised of that interaction with the client which in this case was lacking. Without that interaction (nevermind that it's a Sitepoint rule - time crunches or not) there is a strong air if disrespect. You will, of course, deny that such is the case. You're kind of defensive that way (which comes off as superior, which you probably don't intend). Try this instead: offer up a small appology. Nothing grand and humbling - just "sorry" will go a very long way. Cheers to all and good night on this one.

to bob
quote
"Congrats to the winner but the winner should think about the ethical issue of using others designs next
time!"

i did think about the ethical issues, and delivered designs that did not copy the other designs i'm offended you think i did!

Ahem, @loveofbusiness
The market value of a design work is nowhere close to what you're offering on sitepoint. Try hiring a design agency.

you certainly ticked off the locals...Better luck next time:) x2 :)

Its not always we get such a s_hit-storm going, so Logic class 101 aside, you certainly ticked off the locals...Better luck next time:)

Again...If you can't run a contest properly, you shouldn't run one at all.

[quote]
I understand it would be beneficial to everyone to get really detailed feedback. However, you guys also need to consider the contest holders sometimes. You personally only need to submit 1 or a couple items. The contest holder, me in this case, received over 100 entries for a very short contest..mostly over the course of a weekend when I had another time-consuming situation arise.
[/quote]

It is my opinion that many of the designers submit multiple designs because they are guessing at what it is you want. Without feedback, it is difficult to judge. We are not mind readers and if the CH does not give clear and concise details in your brief, it sometimes is very difficult to figure out what it is the CH wants. If you don't want multiple designs from a designer, state so in your brief, it has been done before.

The main way to avoid this is to keep up with your contest and not let it get "out of hand" with so many designs. Giving feedback
culls out the entries that don't meet your criteria and helps us to better understand what to do. I would have removed my entries early if I would have been told they didn't have a chance or they'd been eliminated and you would not have had 2 less to go through.

So you see, it is a 2-way street here and if you continue to have the same attitude towards the designers here, you may not get the results you want next time, regardless of the amount you offer. I know I won't be entering any of your contests in the future because of your attitude.

loveofbusiness,

Well no matter what excuse you give here, you broke rules and you had the winner use other designs
concepts. Your feedback on her entries is proof of the violations and the original designs have the
right to seek compensation legally from you. You should have simply hired the winner cause you picked
her out last contest too.

Another thing you can't boast about your prize amount cause what your seeking is a branded logo and if
you went to anywhere but here for your secret projects they would charge your but $600 and up. I know
this cause i have worked with the agencies that do just that. I know I will remember your name when
and if another contest should pop up cause in the end you think the rules never apply to you and ethics
and laws copyright are a joke.

Congrats to the winner but the winner should think about the ethical issue of using others designs next
time!

~Bob

Loveofbusiness,

I can understand your position for time constraints as everyone's time is important to them, however you need to look at the time spent by designers on your behalf. There were 81 entries and 1 person got paid. The "payment" you make to the other 80 entries is by respecting their effort enough to comment or at a bare minimum eliminate them from the competition. If you wish to continue getting designers to enter your competitions here on sitepoint you should keep this in mind.

Oh yeah, and be more consistent with your argument: in one breath you say "I did a contest here last week. I managed it similarly..." , and in almost the next breath you say "Unlike the last contest where I went through and gave most of the designers feedback, I did not have the time to do that with this short contest.". Since you gave almost no feedback this time your first statement about similarity cannot be true.

Let me first offer congrats to marzy!!!

Now, loveofbusiness, it really is a Sitepoint rule to offer feedback (preferably constructive), what you did with your last contest notwithstanding. Of course the designers hope to get paid but you take a pretty narrow view of things if you think that's all there is to it.

In future, if you "don't have the time or inclination" (jeez I hate the sound of that and its implications...), do as Bob suggests and at least use the 'remove from concideration' option. That is a simple and time-saving way to give us the heads-up on a particular design.