Yes, I too just delete emails unopened and cross my fingers it wasn't something I actually needed to respond to. My apologies if I've missed something. But because of it I do try and make it clear in any emails I send that its clear its not spam in the subject (put the persons name in the email subject if not spam). Even Mike would probably open an email titled 'Mike, this is something you should read' (at least the first time you did it). Tell me what's in the email, voting link for blah-blah contest, link to winners board blah-blah contest, blah group new features, rules, or discussion. You're working with people that mostly delete unopened 'this is important' from abuse, so if you want it seen your now have to clarify in the subject what's important.
I realize that the groups and contest are a lot of work and that these people want me to be more involved than I have time for. But with my work load that's just not a possibility. And I hope that people realize our behavior isn't disrespectful or unappreciative, but we all have lives and the best we can do.
I hate contest that are based on views, comments, position in gallery, featured, etc. I don't keep track of this info and I'm not going to spend the time trying to see what passed these non-art requirements. I once had someone delete my contest entries in a featured work contest because I hadn't posted in the comment that it was featured. But what mystifies me is why anyone would spend time going through these entries and looking for this (well actually I can't imagine any contest with non-visual compliance to the criteria. These admins are just making their lives frustrating.
IMO contest should be about themes and state if just photography if that's a rule in the title of the contest... Fall Landscapes - photography. This is a link that someone might actually click on in google. Who looking for art clicks on the 'what's #14 in your gallery. I also think negative titles like 'never sold or liked' is a contest to avoid.
Contest aren't really contests, they're marketing. The titles should convey what a buy will see, and a looser list isn't good marketing. So contest admins pay better attention to titling and figure out a way of saying your intentions that don't sound like it's going to be bad work. Undiscovered, not never sold, or public favorites, not # of views.
The new enter and follow contest some are doing is a new vote and favor exchange and IMO not worth the effort and not want I want to say about good art. Bob Johnson's contest are enter and promote and that makes sense. It will be a clear themed title and your suppose to get the public to visit. Even if someone just goes to vote for their friend it's fine with me because I'm still represented.
Lastly one entry per artists is enough for any contest. Run the theme again if it's popular. The smaller contest are more likely to get everyone seen than just the 4 people that posted 10 images each on the last page.
-- mary ellen anderson
