Contest Announcement: A Blogger’s Jackpot

I want to help you make money. So I’m holding another contest that provides you with the tools to do that. No matter if you already have a blog or want to create a new one, these cool prizes can help you in several ways.

But before I go any further I wanted to make a request to anyone wishing to participate. While I welcome everyone who qualifies to enter the contest and earn chances to win, my preference would be that they be serious about creating blogs to earn money and NOT to just win something. The more people we have who enter who want to make a go of earning money online, the more likely the prizes will go to someone who will actually benefit from them.

Now on to the prizes!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
One lucky person will win the following prizes:
1) One year free of the Swamp (Business) hosting plan (valued at $179) — sponsored by HostGator.
This is HostGator’s top plan and is loaded with features like unlimited domains just to name one!

2) A FREE developer’s license to either the WP-Vybe theme (valued at $299) OR WP-Mag theme (valued at $279) — sponsored by Solostream
This is a “winner’s choice” prize meaning the winner will choose only one of the above themes. What’s a developer’s license? Having this license allows you to use ONE of the two themes on as many sites as you own. You can even resell those sites that use the theme, but you cannot sell the theme itself independently. This is a very feature-rich theme that I’m currently using on MeAndMyDrum. It’s easy to configure and provides several color choices.

3) A FREE license to AceMoney (valued at $30) — sponsored by MechCAD
It helps to have something that you can use to track the money you make. I use this software and think it does a great job. Very easy to use.

4) A FREE license to StoreStacker (valued at $97) — sponsored by StoreStacker
This a great way to capitlize on your affiliate product promotions. With StoreStacker you can build complete sites with commission-ready affiliate products PLUS help you include relevant articles and videos — something no other affiliate software does.

5) A FREE license to Market Samurai (valued at $149) — sponsored by Market Samurai
I’ve posted about this super niche finder before. It’s something I use quite frequently to help me find the niches I want to profit from. It’s many tools in one: keyword research, SEO competition, find content, promote content, and many others! This will help you shave hours and hours off your niche research and help you slice through the competition.

6) FREE iPod Nano 4GB (valued at $95) — sponsored by Shawal
Will this help you make money? No, but it’s definitely something you can use WHILE you build your sites that will make you money.

7) Ad placement on GarryConn.com — sponsored by Garry Conn
Garry Conn has generously donated ad placement on his very informative and highly-trafficked blog, www.garryconn.com. The dimensions are 468×60 and will run for two weeks. This is a great opportunity to give your blog exposure to a wide audience. Thanks, Garry!

First place winner
UPDATED 10/29/08
1) One year free of the Baby hosting plan (valued at $119) — sponsored by Busby SEO Test
Louis is a very generous person and offered to donate this hosting plan to my contest right after hearing about it. Thanks, Louis! It seemed only fitting to add it to the first place winner prize.

2) A FREE Premium license to either the WP-Vybe theme (valued at $199) OR the WP-Mag theme (valued at $179) — sponsored by Solostream
This enables the winner to use the theme of their choice on as many sites as they own, but not resell the sites as long as the theme is being used nor can the theme itself be sold.

Second place winner
A FREE Basic license to the WP-Vybe (valued at $99) OR the WP-Mag theme (valued at $79) — sponsored by Solostream
Yes, Solostream is a very generous sponsor. This theme of the winner’s choosing enables them to use the theme on only ONE site that they own and cannot sell the site they use it on.

So you’re probably asking yourself how do you enter to win these great prizes.

HOW TO ENTER
This is a points-based contest, meaning the more things you do to earn points, the more chances you have of winning.

1) Subscribe to my newsletter (60 pts)
This is an important way to earn points because I will be announcing additional ways to earn points exclusively to my subscribers. If you’ve already subscribed, then I’ll say first, “thank you!”, then I’ll ask that you please comment below to let me know you are a subscriber who is officially entering the contest. Please use the same email address you used to subscribe in the comment form.

2) Post about this contest on a blog you own. (30 pts + 10 pts if you include the list of prizes)
UPDATE 10/29/08: It came to my attention that it’s not clear about the number of posts that can be made. As long as the blogs you post to meet the qualifications I’ve outlined already, then there is no limit to the number of posts you can make.
The blog must be 60 days old and must follow these additional qualifications which are subject to my evaluation. The post must include a link back to two places: MeAndMyDrum and to this contest post. Doing just that will earn you 30 points. For an extra 10 points, include the list of prizes using this code (links must remain in tact).

3) Subscribe to my RSS feed via email (25 pts)
Already subscribed? No problem, but please comment below so that I can have your official entry confirmation. Please use the same email address you used to subscribe in the comment form.

4) Buy your points (50 pts)
Yes, that’s right. If you just don’t have the time to do anything else, you can buy 50 points for $5 USD via PayPal. Maximum number of points is 50. You can pay more if you like , but it will only buy you 50 points total. Please contact me for my PayPal address.

WHEN THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED
The contest begins today, October 28, 2008 and will end 12 p.m. midnight Central, November 18, 2008. The winners will be announced shortly after.

CONTEST RULES
UPDATED 10/29/08