Google’s algorithm compels marketers to be very mindful of their ability to churn out high-quality content on their websites and blogs. The problem is that generating good content takes time, creativity and, sometimes, money. But there’s a helpful tool for marketers to help them in this quest: contests. “Through awards of cash, merchandise, free service and even recognition, you can encourage your readers to help you generate original content — content that will help you build your business and deliver value to your visitors.” Here are six steps for running a user-generated content contest: 1) know the goals of your contest; 2) lay out the contest parameters, including the time frame, prizes and guidelines; 3) optimize your content for search; 4) promote your contest through channels such as emails, newsletters, banner ads, press releases, blogger outreach and organic search; 5) choose a winner; 6) notify and promote the winner. (KISSmetrics)
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