Soliciting votes to win R2R contests

[exnisstech]

Isn't it a bit unethical to start a thread to solicit votes to try and win a contest? I just came accross two threads soliciting votes for the holloween costume contest. The members gave their entry number and ask people to vote for them. I was under the impression the names are not revealed to keep the contest centered on the entry itself and not the members popularity. I normally only follow the photography contests but decided to vote on the pumpkin and costume contests then I see these threads asking for votes. I would never start a thread asking people to vote for my entry in a contest. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man but this reminds me of recent politics

EDIT : I'm not in the contest.

 

[JoJosReef]

Probably not unethical, but lamentable, yes. Perhaps the $1000 is too enticing.

 

[Dburr1014]

I have seen it in the past.
I personally wouldn't do it but I did comment that I'm in one of the contests and voted for myself, naturally. I gave my number up..... Should I take that down? Hmmmmm.

Edit: yeah, I changed my post to myself instead of my number. Felt right.

 

[Stevorino]

I came into the thread ready to give you a vote

 

[SpyC]

Seems like an issue to me and impacts the integrity of the contest. Imo, those soliciting for votes should be removed from the contest, but I’m a nobody. Thoughts from @revhtree @Daniel@R2R ?

 

[KStatefan]

I had seen the post but did not look at them. I did not know that was a thing.

 

[IceNein]

I've seen this behavior in a tank update post, which to me is not so bad. You're already reading about someone's tank, so if they take a second or two to say, "Hey, vote for this if you like it" in one of those, that's fine to me.

But making a post to solicit votes seems kinda sad to me. I don't know if it's worth the effort to make rules about it, but for me, I might think twice about giving that person a vote even if they did deserve it.

 

[exnisstech]

Probably not unethical, but lamentable, yes. Perhaps the $1000 is too enticing.

Ya my 8th grade education showing lamentable and definition added to my vocabulary lol. Its amazing how much my vocabulary has increased since I started hanging out here.

 

[drolmaeye]

I *assume* that one of the primary reasons for contests and such (outside of just having fun) is to keep forum engagement up. Campaigning -- maybe even brigading, depending on how you define that -- seems okay if you look at it in that context. Making a separate thread about it seems a little OTT, but replying in the vote thread and asking for consideration is probably okay (IMO).

That said, I definitely understand the sentiment. Among the R2R user base, there will definitely be some differing views on what's appropriate for contests. At the end of the day, I'm just here for the info so I'm in the "live and let live" camp.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Wait? Just because these folks are not ashamed to sell themselves and usher people towards a voting thread that the majority of patrons, more than likely, don't care about, doesn't make it unethical, nor should it be against "the rules".

I for one think this is a win for all parties. The sponsor that has spearheaded the contest and the sight gets more traffic thanks to these sub-threads.

I can't tell you what these sponsors are giving away, but if what was said is true, $1000 in prizes seems to be worth the effort.

Can it get out of hand? Possibly. But you have to allow these contests to organically play themselves out.

The people that started those threads should have nothing to be ashamed about.

 

[Should I]

yea its kinda cringe tbh i intentionally did not vote for them even though i might have

 

[JoJosReef]

Ya my 8th grade education showing lamentable and definition added to my vocabulary lol. Its amazing how much my vocabulary has increased since I started hanging out here.

Oh, well then let me refer you to my campaign-not-a-campaign post! Great word here. Pulchritudinous. Gives off a slightly opposite sentiment to its actual definition.

Reef Showcase - 00W's AIO Smorgasbord

Well... A few days in and I'm out of the voting for POTM. Sorry Smorgasbord, we lost. All of us. What happened? You were winning this morning when I saw

www.reef2reef.com

I made clear to the Smorgasbord that I'm not accepting the GC if I get the votes, passing it on to the next person, because A) others in the contest need coral way more than I do, and 2) I did it mostly for fun and the extra random drawing entry (for which I'll happily take if the RNG gods find favor with me). But that seems a moot point now that others are way ahead! I should probably say this in the thread so my 3 or so voters don't throw away their vote...

 

[exnisstech]

Oh, well then let me refer you to my campaign-not-a-campaign post! Great word here. Pulchritudinous. Gives off a slightly opposite sentiment to its actual definition.

I had to look up the pronunciation as well as the definition on that one

 

[KrisReef]

I spent a few posts advocating for a recent prize entry of mine. Lots to be said, I tried to say it with art but how can that work when I am not really that artistic and lack the fine motor skills to produce art greater than comic book quality, (as a genera)
Sadly for me, my entry did not make the final group to be voted upon but if I really wanted to win I probably would have had to spend more time, or at least cleaned and sharpened by chainsaw first?

I am still having fun with this. Promoting competition and generating support and interest for my buddy over at TankStop that is sponsoring the contest this year.

I have not voted for the winners, and participants like myself are supposed to get a badge. Other badge opportunities for Site Supporters (?) and Secret Santa are live now or soon. Traffic on the site provides revenue to Reef2Reef and a fun place to engage on whatever level you like and hopefully improves the hobby opportunities for all?

If you don't like these things, may I suggest a protest vote for one of the finalists that don't have any votes, or vote for the entry you find most offensive, or start a pile on campaign to push one of the pumpkins over the finish line.

Pumpkin pie is a wasted Jack-o-Lantern, you can have my slice.

 

[BryanM]

All those posts do for me is me not voting for that person.

Probably should have entered the contest.

 

[exnisstech]

I spent a few posts advocating for a recent prize entry of mine. Lots to be said, I tried to say it with art but how can that work when I am not really that artistic and lack the fine motor skills to produce art greater than comic book quality, (as a genera)
Sadly for me, my entry did not make the final group to be voted upon but if I really wanted to win I probably would have had to spend more time, or at least cleaned and sharpened by chainsaw first?

I am still having fun with this. Promoting competition and generating support and interest for my buddy over at TankStop that is sponsoring the contest this year.

I have not voted for the winners, and participants like myself are supposed to get a badge. Other badge opportunities for Site Supporters (?) and Secret Santa are live now or soon. Traffic on the site provides revenue to Reef2Reef and a fun place to engage on whatever level you like and hopefully improves the hobby opportunities for all?

If you don't like these things, may I suggest a protest vote for one of the finalists that don't have any votes, or vote for the entry you find most offensive, or start a pile on campaign to push one of the pumpkins over the finish line.

Pumpkin pie is a wasted Jack-o-Lantern, you can have my slice.

I would have voted for yours but I think you missed the reef related theme which may be why it didn't make the finals. . You win for creativity IMO.

 

[Dburr1014]

Pumpkin pie is a wasted Jack-o-Lantern, you can have my slice.

Blasphemy!

 

[BryanM]

I would have voted for yours but I think you missed the reef related theme which may be why it didn't make the finals. . You win for creativity IMO.

I totally forgot about the tank shot. It’s all good.

 

[KrisReef]

I would have voted for yours but I think you missed the reef related theme which may be why it didn't make the finals. . You win for creativity IMO.

I lost fair and square, but thanks for your support!

 

[areefer01]

The people that started those threads should have nothing to be ashamed about.

This is true. However is the forum 'let's make a deal' or one talking about the hobby? Not directed at you but what crosses my mind as I read this. The forum is already heavy on the sponsor banners on the top and sides now one has to navigate the Home or Latest Posts list filtering out oh, oh, pick me, pick me. Maybe they can create a sub forum for contest specific posts.

Maybe I'm an old curmudgeon though so my vote shouldn't count.