Maybe announce the contest in the emails ,forums etc etc Think it be best if the public and staff votes ,so every one votes but If you won ,you can't win again for the next year or something.

Contest has to be done right .so if it's monthly you have all month to enter and every first the winner is announced ,not the second or third but every fist. or if it's by weekly every 1st n 15th. or weekly every Mondays ,at least somebody's Monday won't sux.

and has to have time to catch on.so if only a few try at first don't give up on the contest ever.

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The Artist that will fight for decades to conquer their media.
Even if you never know their name ,your know their Art.
Dark Sphere Mage Vengeance