Program guides/Writing contests
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"Work toward goals with structure and accountability." -
"Improve quality by bringing in expert judges to comment on articles." -
"Recognize power editors, get them resources they need." -
"The competition is an homage to a very active Wikipedian who passed away.” -
"Create a welcoming environment for new editors."
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.
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:
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
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:
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
"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:
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