I can’t even count how many times I have seen different contests in the blogosphere. Most of them offer a monetary prize to the author of 1000th comment. I have seen them on blogs that vary in size, age and authority. I am guessing there is some value in these contests, but I would really like to know what kind of value? Is it a good “linkbait opportunity”? It increase the number of comments, at least on the post announcing the contest. Does it increase the number of subscribers? I think these questions are valid enough to give it a try.

So here it goes. I am announcing a contest in which you can win $200. Here are the rules:

1. In order to participate in this contest you must either comment on this blog or link from your blog to to this article.
2. The author of 100th comment will win $100. If the comment happens to be in a form of a trackback/pingback, the owner of the blog wins $200.
3. You ABSOLUTELY MUST ACCEPT money via PayPal- if you are not able to accept payment from me via PayPalCAN NOT PARTICIPATE in this contest. you
4. This opportunity will remain open for the life of this blog, unless 100th comment will come first.

UPDATE: FOLLOWING ARE NEW RULES FOR THIS CONTEST

1. To participate in this contest all you need is to leave a comment or link to this post from your blog.
2. The winner of this contest will receive $200 and will be determined by a drawing. (The drawing will be held on September 1)
3. There is no limit to the number of comments you can make (more comments/trackbacks better odds to win).
4. To participate you must have a valid PayPal account to receive the money.
5. This contest ends on September 1st at 0:00 am (US Eastern Time) – entries made past this time will be disregarded.

I think it would be unrealistic fro me to expect 1000 comments even in the post like this one. Also it will make this contest to run its course quicker. Of course if I like the results, there will be more like this one in the future.

To make this contest a little more interesting you need to answer one simple question, either here or on your blog while linking to this post. And the question is :

What would (or can) you do with $200?

(yes it does say WE LIKE BROCCOLI on this $200 bill )

I really look forward to read all the answers and to to start off here are the few things I can do with $200:

1. $200 can fill the tank of my car 4 times.
2. $200 can buy us about two weeks of groceries.
3. I can easily purchase 20 domain names.
4. $200 can probably pay for electricity in our condo.
5. Finally I have a freedom to give this $200 to some one who needs it more than I do.

Most importantly, I probably would take $200 for granted. I the country of my origin some people need to work few months to earn $200.

Now back to the contest. I will not be answering to the comments on this post. I will however closely monitor and moderate the comments on this post. If you have submitted a valid comment but it was filtered as spam, please let me know right away so I can act accordingly. If you linking to this post from your blog, please check if the trackback is given to you. It if is not, please contact me right away so I can act accordingly.

Enjoy and good luck!

UPDATE: YOU MAY ENTER THIS CONTEST TEN TIMES: 1.Five Comments here. 2. Five Links from your blog to this post. THRE IS NO LIMIT ON HOW MANY TIMES YOU CAN ENTER THIS CONTEST- EACH COMMENT WILL BE COUNTED AS SEPARATE ENTRY