How Contests Work
Name Contests let you crowdsource creative names from NameStation's community of naming experts. Here's how the process works:
Step 1: Create Your Contest
Describe what you're naming -- your business, product, app, or project. Include details about your industry, target audience, and brand personality. The more context you provide, the better names you'll receive.
Step 2: Set a Prize
Choose a prize amount for the winning name. Higher prizes attract more contributors and higher-quality submissions.
Step 3: Receive Submissions
Contributors browse open contests and submit their best name ideas. You'll start receiving submissions shortly after your contest goes live.
Step 4: Rate and Give Feedback
Rate each submission to guide contributors:
- Love it -- This name is a strong contender
- Like it -- Good direction, keep going
- Not for me -- Not what I'm looking for
Your ratings help contributors understand your preferences and submit better-targeted names.
Step 5: Choose a Winner
When your contest ends, select the winning name. The contributor receives the prize, and you get your perfect name.
Contest Types
Guaranteed Contests
With a guaranteed contest, you commit to selecting a winner and awarding the prize. This attracts more contributors and higher-quality submissions because participants know the prize will be awarded.
Non-Guaranteed Contests
Non-guaranteed contests don't require you to pick a winner. You only pay if you find a name you love. These attract fewer submissions but offer more flexibility.
Managing Your Contests
Viewing Submissions
Access your contest dashboard to see all submissions, sorted by rating or date. Use filters to find top-rated names quickly.
Communicating with Contributors
Provide feedback on submissions to steer contributors in the right direction. Clear, constructive feedback leads to better results.
Extending or Closing
- Extend -- Add more time if you haven't found the right name yet
- Close early -- End the contest and select a winner before the deadline
Tips for a Successful Contest
- Write a detailed brief -- Include industry, audience, tone, and any keywords or themes you like
- Set a competitive prize -- Higher prizes attract more and better submissions
- Rate submissions promptly -- Active rating encourages more participation
- Give specific feedback -- "I like the tech feel but need something shorter" is more helpful than "not quite"
- Check domain availability -- Verify that your winning name has an available domain before finalizing
- Consider guaranteed contests -- They consistently attract more high-quality submissions
Related Articles
- Becoming a Contributor -- Join the other side of contests
- AI Domain Search -- AI-powered alternative to contests
- Projects & Management -- Organize contest results