philatelia
Member 
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,655
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jan 2, 2024 12:03:23 GMT
Hey forum friends.
I’ve received many nice messages saying that the mystery stamp contest is entertaining and fun with lots of requests that I keep it going, BUT the prizes are problematic.
Many of our collectors are advanced and honestly can’t use the prizes - very understandable. I would really appreciate some ideas on how to reward the players that keeps the contest fun and encourages participation.
idea example - Maybe a virtual trophy and names added to a “hall of fame”?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions.
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,889 
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Jan 2, 2024 12:45:44 GMT
Most of us old dogs do not require treats and rewards. Just being here is fine to avoid separation anxiety.
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,655
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jan 2, 2024 14:20:45 GMT
Most of us old dogs do not require treats and rewards. Just being here is fine to avoid separation anxiety. Good point, Hugh. Do you think folks would think it is still fun without prizes? I’ll pause the prizes pending exploring options. |
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,889
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Jan 2, 2024 15:42:22 GMT
Most of us old dogs do not require treats and rewards. Just being here is fine to avoid separation anxiety. Good point, Hugh. Do you think folks would think it is still fun without prizes? I’ll pause the prizes pending exploring options. I rather doubt any of us does it for the prizes. |
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renden
Member
Posts: 9,164
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on Jan 2, 2024 16:46:23 GMT
Most of us old dogs do not require treats and rewards. Just being here is fine to avoid separation anxiety. I agree, Hugh A virtual trophy of some kind or better....no prize at all is fine with me LOL !! René c.c. philatelia |
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Post by carabop on Jan 2, 2024 18:39:27 GMT
No prize is fine for me I just like to participate. Virtual prizes are fun too.
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Jan 2, 2024 18:50:17 GMT
The challenge of figuring out the stamp is prize enough. Especially if it's a daily occurrence. I'll add it to my daily Wordle and Connections puzzle challenges! The stamps tend to be tougher for me, as you usually offer up something outside my collecting orbit, but that's ok!
Might I suggest, if it continues daily, allow the 24 hours after you post the stamp image for us to reasonably figure it out. Then, share the solution before you offer up the next one. For me, the task becomes keeping a daily streak going, like I do with Wordle (I'm currently at 56 days, after I miss one because we were busy and I didn't even realize I'd miss it. Before that, I was around 90 days in a row).
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mberry
Member
Posts: 1,178
What I collect: USA, USA Revenues, Beer Related Stamps and Revenues, US State Revenues, Stamp Show Stamps
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Post by mberry on Jan 3, 2024 0:29:18 GMT
Another option might be to have the prizes optional, if the winner does not want it let it carry over to the next winner. Not a case of the next winner getting 2 prizes, but just the 1 carried over prize.
That said, when I do participate it is not for the prize I do it for the challenge and only participate when I have some knowledge of the stamp. Too easy to do a google image search.
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scub
Member
Posts: 203
What I collect: WW (without restrictions)
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Post by scub on Jan 4, 2024 8:20:54 GMT
I mean, prices are important. Why? I am active in the “Spiceworks” forum. The “Daily Challenge” has been running there for several years. It's me.  But, that's multiple choice. It is known how many took part and who answered correctly. There are no prizes, just a “badge” if you get all the questions correct for a month. Unfortunately, interest has waned significantly recently. Initially, up to tens of thousands of members took part, now just over two thousand. Without prizes, it will be difficult to keep interest high and encourage new raters to participate. And of course, I also don't need every price and then the price can move on to the next one. The quiz should also be promoted more actively. In "Spiceworks" there is a note on the intro page. (to the Admins) Another thought. You can also ask "who" or "what" is depicted on a stamp, or "why". Isn't it these background stories that make collecting so interesting for us? I learning a lot on this chellange. |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,655
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jan 4, 2024 18:41:23 GMT
 Wow - thanks for all of the ideas. 😉🙂 It is possible to have badges in proboards forums, but Admin would be the only one with access to that and what with all the work on his plate with new member apps, finances, moderating and a thousand other things I sure wouldn’t want to add to his workload. However, The player themselves could voluntarily change their avatar pic to a trophy or badge of sorts and that wouldn’t create work for anyone else. I could, however, write up a recap for the newsletter that could be our version of the “sports” part of the paper. The write up could highlight our “all-stars” and maybe mention some of the more interesting mystery stamps. Beryllium Guy - the editor - do you like that idea? That would also promote the game a bit. Hmmm brainstorming always yields results- thanks for helping! |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Jan 5, 2024 20:23:59 GMT
Terri ( philatelia) Many thanks for your latest post. It’s an interesting idea to do a feature about the contest results. It would be a new direction for the Newsletter. Please let me think about it over the weekend and discuss with the Moderator Team, and I will respond more concretely early next week. Thanks again for your efforts in this area! |
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Post by david on Jan 6, 2024 6:20:22 GMT
Hello
I always enjoy doing the contest as I learn from it and be an active member off the forum. I usually pick a give away that has my interest. If the stamps are not interesting for me I will not participate.
For me, a giveaway is a good way to have a chance to obtain stamps I really want to have for my collection. In most cases I even send a message to the person who does the giveaway to ask if I have to pay the postage as I live in Belgium.
Just my humble opinion on the matter.
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Wow - thanks for all of the ideas. 😉🙂 
