So, what is SoylentNews? This is your chance to tell us!
I am announcing the first ever SoylentNews online video contest. The rules are pretty simple.
Too easy, right? We will count the views on 31 March 2014, at 11:59 UTC. The winner is the individual video that has the most views.
You do not actually have to appear in the video! Make a cartoon, do CGI, do a voiceover of a movie, whatever. Be creative and explore your artistic vision! (Yes, you have one. It may be underutilized at times but it is there).
We have not yet determined the prize for the winner, but it will be jaw-droppingly awe-inspiring (it's a key-chain I found on the sidewalk somewhere). No, it'll be something good. At a minimum we'll feature your video on the site here and interview you for the "making of" your entry. But probably more (it's a keychain).
On behalf of the entire staff and volunteers, we continue to be amazed at the response we've gotten from the community so far. We will continue to provide ways that you can interact with us and help define us. I hope you enjoy this contest. If you have any other suggestions for how we can better meet your needs, feel free to let us know in IRC, the Forums, or the Wiki. Thanks for reading!
~Mattie_p
p.s. keychain!
p.p.s updated based on feedback
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Reziac on Wednesday February 26 2014, @12:30AM
If you really want SN to "be its own site" -- don't try to force it with silly marketing techniques that are, bluntly, the equivalent of handing out AOL disks to everyone who can be convinced to carry one off, and are likely to have the same result: a flood of "Oooh, shiny!" posters who only last long enough to frustrate the rest of us into leaving.
Remember, please -- that Other Site[TM] grew entirely via word-of-mouth. Give SN time, and remember it takes a couple years for a community to grow into being.
Trying to forcefeed it numbers comprised of anyone who can be conned into showing up makes me think the motivation is immediate profit rather than long-term viability.
I myself came here from a link in a Slashdot sig, because after 15 years there I consider it a trusted source. No way in hell would I have come here from a YouTube link.