MEMBER BLOG

We all love contests. They give us a chance to try to win something for free by doing anything we would probably have done anyway, and they just require us to send some information by mail or make a phone call. But that phone call is expensive, and writing and sending that letter takes time and effort. Fortunately, there's a solution.

It is relatively cheap to do, easy to spread, and people love it. An online contest seems like the most intelligent way to make both your financial department and your target market happy. And what makes it so good is that a consumer like me will most likely participate in it.

If taking part in a contest means I have to call a company who charges me $1+ per minute on the phone, who wants me to buy a boatload of their products beforehand or send requests and emails to all of my contacts to “vote for me”, then I pass. But if it means looking at the latest news from the brands I “Like”on a social network and doing something quick and easy, then that's a different story.

Last week I read a post from of the local brands and took part in their online contest. The Catch? Simple, show your patriotism and comment with the name of the winged animal with a Llama head, a serpentine body and a fish tail that is featured in one of the tales of our people. The most informative and well-written answer wins.

I had no idea of what they were talking about, but reading some of the early posts gave me the answer, and thus my Search began. Yes, I opened a search engine and typed the name, and came upon a forum with about two pages of the answer I was looking for. It was in English, so I translated it to Spanish, summarized it, added some literary flair, and posted my answer.

Monday came, and I received a message in my inbox. I had won the contest, and was the happy owner of a t-shirt of the brand featuring the creature. It drew a smile on my face, but I couldn't help feeling that I had cheated my way into victory. Then that feeling faded and was replaced with another one: one of wonder.

I realized how easy it is now to have quality information about any subject you want, and having it presented to you in the format you like the most. You don't even have to know exact terms and keywords, you can find them as you search along. All you need is patience, creativity, and spare time, and you can have the answer to any question. Internet is truly the best thing one can gain access to, because it is the door to mankind's global knowledge.

I just did a search for a thing I see sometimes, but can't seem to remember its name each time I want, I know it is from Japan, brown, has the shape of Sponge Bob, two round eyes and big mouth. Open Search engine, type: japanese brown big mouth, and before your eyes a name will appear: Domo.

PS: In case you want to know, the creature's name is Amaru and here's an image of it: http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/416407_10151845919180457_358605277_o.jpg