1. It depends on how much time I have versus spending the time on other more revenue producting activities for my business.

2. It depends on my level of interest in the topic. For example, I don't care at all about any contest that involves photography... I hate taking pictures and own no camera except the one in my phone and forget it's even there. When I need photos for my business I go professional all the way.

I don't see how it helps one's business in any way!!

but I participate in every one of them.... except that calling contest.... not into it...

I see it as a competition.... contest?? competition??  my kind of thing.

It all depends if I have enough time or not. I know all the contests to be of quality but time is of the essence....

I love th einteraction and challenge. But have to say, i do not like the multiple step contests. The contests should not be stress full

I participate only if time allows.  If I am too busy then I cannot and I don't want to start something I can't finish.

Time runs from me.

I don't believe it helps me in my business one bit. I've done them for years & from the beginning. I actually think that personally they are just too much work. I've not liked the subjects either recently.

So you say why not do your own contest then Lyn. Well, I've asked & was turned down so now I can take my energies elsewhere in other directions. Bob has his chosen few & that's it.

So I'm sure your thinking 'hell, why did I ask' .....

   Develop blogging discipline. 

    Be a part of the Community.

    Support the contest judges and sponsors who put in a lot of time and effort.

   I start most contests, but don't always finish (time constraints).

   If a contest topic is too personal, I might take a pass.

A chance to hobnob with my fellow wizards....

I don't like the idea of being compelled to do anything.

Praful Thakkar some are really interesting, and thought provoking.  Others are..."I'm justing doing it for the points", and those I tend to not do. 

I participate time permitting.  It does improve my blogging skills.

I only participate when I have something worthwhile to contribute. If I read the contest and don't have any good ideas, I don't enter. 

I love them and generally participate, a great way to grow in my blogging and business building skills.

I like them too, and I try to participate, even if I'm just reading entries.

I do participate only if my time allows me. I like getting those extra points.

To have more simple contests we need more hosts to step up and create them. I appreciate all the hosts and the time they spend developing their topics. Many of the contests generate really good posts.

Most times I do not have the time

I participate in AR challenges because A) it will motivate me to write more which helps by biz and B) i'm on a mission to get my free AR account and I need all the extra points I can get!

I am not aware of them when they begin.  It would be nice to get a notice.

Some of the contests are not appealing to me. I would not miss them if they were eliminated.

Just a time factor.

I do at times. When I don't it is because I get busy.

I started doing it for points.  But then I matured and now I do it if one of two things happen... it helps my business or it has the potential to help other members.

I participate when I am feeling it and have the time. 

I do not participate when I am not feeling it or do not have the time. 

It makes me to think and become more creative.  It took me two years to write my first history book. The publisher wanted me to go on so I wrote another one in three weeks on Silicon Valley.  

I do when the contest inspires me. I don't when it doesn't. Because they take valuable time and so I have to be motivated by the result I'll get from doing so...not just the points, the product I create.

I do sometimes if the topic is of interest.

I run out of time 

It depends on my time.  A

Time is the major factor with only so many hours on the day!

I participate in the ones that are interesting...generally most...and as time permits.

First, because challenges do just that - challenge you to come up with your "best".  Used to do it for points too.

I'm past the point of needing points, so whether or not I participate in a contest is more dependent on how well it aligns with my already planned blogging topics.  Give me a one post challenge and I'm more likely to do it.  Give me a 10 step program to complete and I'm probably not.  I do one post a day, so the majority of my monthly posts are already semi-taken.  Bill

1. Time

2. Interest in the topic.

I didn't do the big one because of the time committment. I was too busy.

For me, my time is better spent elsewhere online doing activities that I know bring leads and promote my brand.

I do when I have the time I like them because we learn so much from them! 

I love taking part in the challenges and hosting them. It broadens my perspective. 

I won't lie... I do it mostly for the points 

Some in the past have been just plain silly.   I try and participate, but business has been booming for the last 4 years.    I don't think it does help our business, it puts more blogs up on the blog roll and hopefully getting those back to blogging that have left.

First of all I learn a lot from the entries in the contest, and I hope others may be able to learn something from me. I prefer to call them Challenges because I don't see them as a contest.  We aren't competing with each other.  The entries are intended to highlight our unique experiences and insights.  I am on ActiveRain to share my knowledge, experience and insights and the Challenges offer me a focused subject to do that.  The additional points are a lovely bonus. 

Most of these are not a good use of time.  Most do not build business...they do the opposite...they take away from time I can spend to build my business.

But, I do some every now and again either for fun/mental break or I see something that I feel will build my business.

Because they are at the bottom of the page!  Seriously.  Out of sight, out of mind.  When I do see them, it's a debate on how easy it will be to accomplish.  If it's easy, then yes.  Otherwise, no.

Benefit not clearly understood (for each contest)

The announcement regarding contests are not where  I frequent on AR.

Too many contests.

Finally, and I take this seriously, how can my opinion matter regarding something in which I have never participated.

Will do in 2019.