Secondly, with regards to competition incentives, I like that you are trying things.

The Mars Bar 1-in-6 wins competition was uber cool for the low product price point, and for a product category that experiences frequent purchases.

The Mag Nation 1-in-100 wins competition doesn’t share the same high odds of winning, but it also doesn’t experience the same frequency of purchase. And as you say, the odds are much higher than winning the big kahuna one-off prize.

Although neither the 1-in-100, nor big kahuna one-off prize, would entice me to purchase, unless it was already a consideration of mine to do so. In which I would likely do it anyway (and likely with mag nation).

Although, it does seem a bit of fun! (And would likely get the word-of-mouth flowing …and put a magazine subscription on the consideration list of other gift shoppers.)

PS. Your other competition with all your magazines subscriptions refunded, for the person who subscribed to the most, almost had me laying out several thousand dollars with you (until I read the fine print – for the maximum number of subscription reimbursements). That had excitement written all over it.
PPS. But as for other ideas, I like the idea by Marisa above, about giving them a bonus ‘similar style’ magazine, which may help with cross-selling (but may come at a cost, unless you could use old un-sold back issues). Twitter/Facebook comps are cool – to help get the word out even more. And the free T with subscription sounds cool too. Or something that doesn’t cost you much but has good value with the customer (maybe even something like a free coffee card, for five free coffees – to help get customers into the store, and discovering more mags). Anyway, all the best!

anyways im off track. smaller, better

I make things and have done quite a few small giveaways here and there, it perhaps exposes you to some new people but not really massive sales alas!

What happened to the announcements (in photo, or just text, for privacy)? Eg, long time customer at our Elizabeth St just won…/first-time customer making telephone order just won… his/her subscription faves are….

By the way, I like some of the T-shirt ideas, too. And the multi-magazine package idea (hard to curate/cost, ‘tho). And I really don’t want/expect a car or holiday from you: just not relevant to your image.

Maybe the T-Shirt could be a comp too! The wining design gets a free subscription? I’d totally and proudly, wear a Magnation T-Shirt

Inviting an artist every month, or fortnight to do a design that somewhat relates… (or not) to Magnation, but is stamped with magnation logo, or at least a hang-tag with certificate of authenticity cause this ought run on a limited number, let’s say, start with 25, see if it goes out fast then move onto 50, then 100 when there is enough subscriptions happening. Maybe eventually you guys will be running a whole tshirt line stamped w/ Magnation. Fame & Fortune comes. Hah.

Bec – Thanks. You are right that we are passionate about mags. Interesting idea re the t-shirt. We have never considered a mag nation t-shirt because we sort of thought that no one would care enough to wear one! Maybe we should consider it!

Benz – Thanks. We were just having fun on Twitter. Will definitely try to do more of that next year.

Sarah – the big companies who offer the cars and holidays obviously do so for a reason. It wouldn’t really influence me either, because I am sceptical that I will ever win, but it must pay off for them or they wouldn’t do it… or is that an overly simplistic view?