I am running a contest design the cover for “Busting Your Corporate Idol.” The average contest lasts seven days, and gets 100-200 total designs. This one has over 300 designs in just 3 days. Many are outstanding, and picking the winner will be hard.
The contest runs through July 2.
But how do I pick? This isn’t really about me, it is about readers. This book would be no where without the 15,000 of you who read the blog. THANK YOU!
Would you like to help find the best possible cover? This is an eBook only, and I need something that will jump off the Kindle page and pull people in.
It is pretty cool- see for yourself at 99designs. You can leave feedback by design number below in the comments through July 2. I am having polls on a regular basis, where you can rate covers 1-5 and tell why. Keep an eye on comments for the latest info. I will send your feedback directly to the designers, and they are very responsive.
Here is how 99designs works. You write a creative brief describing what you want in the design, designate prize money for the winner, and begin a project. Designers from all over the world submit covers, and then revise based on your feedback. If any of you ever worked with me on a creative project in marketing, you know that I have a lot to say. I am having a blast. I always liked working with creatives on ads.
Some people feel 99designs and other sites like this are exploitive, because only one person gets paid, and the rest are working for free. I don’t see this as exploitive, any more than submitting a blog to the Huffington Post is exploitive. Everyone knows the conditions, and people submit for a variety of reasons. In some parts of the world, the $299 prize is a lot of money. Many are building a portfolio, while getting feedback every day.
There is a personal downside to the fun I am having. The book cover and editing has taken over my life. In the last 3 days, I’ve missed turns when driving. I got confused about when to pick up my daughter from camp, and had to pay for being late (literally and figuratively). Last night I started cooking dinner 45 minutes, and had to cram some food down to get my daughter to an event. I kept look at designs while a tape ran in the background. You have to stop and start cooking. You have to stop and start cooking. We are running out of food because I haven’t gone to the store.
Yes, I am having a mini-outbreak of idolatry, because my work is getting in the way of my primary job as stay-at-home parent.
Looks like I need to read my book again before this week becomes a lifestyle.
