You can run your contest over a certain time frame, like we do with Spot the Double. Every week, we choose a winner from all who have entered. Or, you can base your contest on a certain number of contestants. Running your contest based on the number of entrants is an ideal way to guarantee you will have a targeted group to follow up on. With Spot the Double, the prize is a free post of your classified ad in the A.I.M. Ezine for three issues.
Chances are that if someone enters our contest, it is because the prize is something they want.
The important part of your contest is going to be your follow up after the contest draw date. You want to send everyone who played, an announcement congratulating the winner AND promoting your product or service. Do not leave out your product or service. This was the purpose of the contest, after all. You have gathered the qualified names and emails of your contestants so you can send them your very best offer on your product and service and convert them to a paying customer.