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Program guides/Writing contests

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The Wikiverse is full of different kinds of contests. Each one is unique. The planning templates below can help you choose a contest model that your community will love and that works with the resources you have available. You can find quick links to resources in these templates or get more in depth planning tools in the tabs.

Short-term, Specific Topic
Description: Short contests can run for as little as one week or last one to two months. For best results, focus on a specific topic.

Goals: Increase content, motivate experienced Wikipedians

Timeline: Begin promotion a few weeks before the contest. Contests about a current event (such as a comic conference, or sports event) should happen the week before or durring the event. Request funding or support from chapters at least one month before the contest begins.

Target Participants: Mostly experienced Wikipedians, some new editors

Promotion: Use social media to reach new users, let the community know by posting messages on village pumps, or on project pages that are related to the contest topic

Scoring/Judging: Simple self-scoring systems, automated judging using bots

Prizes: Small prizes such as books or gift cards that are easy to deliver

Tools: Post redlinks on the event page

Examples:


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High Edit Volume
Description:

Goals:Improve the quality of Wikipedia content, motivate communities to work toward goals in a fun way

Timeline:

Participants: Experience Wikipedians

Promotion:Village pumps, project pages, IRC, user pages

Scoring/Judging: Use a bot or automated tool to score and only review a sample of contributions in the judging phase.

Prizes: Small prizes, Barnstars

Tools: Automated tool for tracking submissions, subpages for participant contributions

Examples: Tyop Contest, Stub Contest

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Content Gap
Description:

Goals: Fill content gaps, engage new users

Timeline: One to three months

Participants:Experienced Wikipedians, new editors, students, content experts

Promotion: Banners, WikiProject pages, partner mailing lists, posters, social media

Scoring/Judging: Invite content experts to be judges and comment on articles

Prizes: Apply for event or annual grants from WMF or ask contest partners/sponsors to provide prizes.

Tools: Identify Content Gaps, Redlink List,

Examples: PhysiWiki, WikiWomenPrize, Mujeres IberoAmericano

Advice:

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Long-term, General topic or action
Long Term Contest, General Topic or Action

Description:

Goals:

Timeline: 6 to 12 months

Participants:Experienced Wikipedians

Promotion: Banners, WikiProject pages, partner mailing lists, posters, social media

Scoring/Judging: Experienced Wikipedians, perhaps past contestants or administrators

Prizes:

Tools:

Examples: WikiCup, Producer Prize

Add YOUR tips!

Cross-Wiki or Regional Contest
Cross-Wiki or Regional Contests

"Competitions with other Wikipedias work well, because there is a natural rivalry between the two groups, because it creates a sense of community."

Description:

Goals:

Timeline:

Participants:Experienced Wikipedians

Promotion: Banners, WikiProject pages, partner mailing lists, posters, social media

Scoring/Judging:

Prizes:

Tools:

Examples:


Add YOUR tips!

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