I want to run a competition on my forum, but I need some help.

As you probably know by now, I run a debate forum. I want to start having "1v1 Debate Challenges" wherein two members debate each other and the winner gets a prize (like a tee-shirt or something). However I have no experience running anything like this. Here's what I had in mind: If you want to participate in the monthly "Debate Challenge", you have to send an email with the subject “Debate Challenge Application” to Debate@PolitiCity.net.

I have that email address forwarded to my main email address (Chris@PolitiCity.net), and I also have it automatically send a reply back that says, "Your application has been received, etc..." I would personally choose two members and send them an email letting them know they've been accepted. Then the debate would be held between those two members.

My problem is, I've never had experience giving out prizes before. Should I ask for the applicant's mailing address in their application? Should I only ask if they are accepted? Should I only ask once they've won?

If this is too broad a topic, maybe you can help me out by guiding me to some articles on holding contests at your forum?

Thanks!

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PolitiCity.net - Political debate & discussion

Ask for the address only when a person has won the contest, no need to get details from each and every one.

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Okay. Also, how long do you think I should accept applications for? I
I'm having trouble fitting this contest into a one month time-frame.

I need people to submit applications, I need to review those applications, I need to pick two participants, then the actual debate has to take place, and then a winner has to picked.

It's hard to fit that into a 4-week model.

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PolitiCity.net - Political debate & discussion

Make a post in the announcement section and send a mailer to all the users, telling them about the contest and that you are accepting entries for the next one week. After a week, sort through all the entries in 4-5 days and post about the debaters you have chosen (shouldn’t take more than one week).

Now decide on the date on which the debate would begin and end, I don’t think people would be interested in a debate between two people which lasts for more than 2-3 days at the max.

Viola, your contest is over in less than a month and you can declare winners

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Okay, something like that should work. I was going to have the debate for about 1-2 weeks, but you're right, that's probably too slow. Thanks for the help.

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PolitiCity.net - Political debate & discussion