Views please regarding xword prizes!

[Misstoddler]

I would really appreciate people's opinion on this.

I run a small business retailing accessories for BlackBerry mobile devices. I was thinking of approaching some of the broadsheets offering prizes for crosswords. At present, these are mainly (really nice!) pens.

I could offer a hand-made leather case for a BlackBerry device. Appreciating not everyone has a BlackBerry, but most people have a mobile phone, as an alternative I would say "hand-made leather case for a BlackBerry or any other mobile of your choosing....".

Do you think this would appeal? The only thing is even my most expensive hand-made leather cases retail for just �60 whereas pens etc are usually worth �100 or �200.

Any views would be appreciated - however frank!!

[rmleake]

I think that is a good idea. I am fed up with crosswords offering a dictionary as a prize. Most puzzlers already have a decent dictionary.

[POINCIANA]

The beauty of a modern cell'phone is its lack of bulk, allowing it - for example - to slip into the ticket pocket of a man's jacket without being a nuisance. Cases for these things tend to increase the bulk out of all proportion and are not very helpful. Same applies to digital cameras and other small portable hi-tech devices.

For crossword prizes - I wish - a nice pen or some nice cash does it for me. Sorry to be a wet blanket.

[dzug]

Are you trying to sell your product to the papers or offering it free in exchange for a mention of your brand name? Important to get that clear before you approach them.

Having neither a blackberry or a mobile I'd really have no use for what I'd regard as a piece of frippery. And it wouldn't appeal if I did, come to that. But others may have different views.

[Misstoddler]

No worries Poinciana. Have to say the market is there though for cases, otherwise I wouldn't have a business! Still, maybe another tack would be to offer eg �100 worth of BB accessories.... but I couldn't do this for non-BlackBerry's as I don't stock them....

Dzug, I would give the prizes FOC in return for the publicity for my business. eg the FT always prints the website address of the prize sponsor. No probs with your honest feedback, tho maybe it would be nice as a gift to give to someone who had a cellphone/BB? They come beautifully boxed in tissue etc...

Interesting feedback, hope I get more!

[balmain]

As an older pessimist- I think you'd find being 'locked-in' to provide prizes (whatever) in the long (commercial) run onerous. The papers could well take same view yhat you weren't in it for the long term. Sorry to be a damp squib.

[Misstoddler]

Interesting comment Balmain. I might tie it in with offering a discount code for all xword competition entrants - then I could see exactly what extra business I was gaining.

Yes, indeed, I would have to look at the term involved, but my (unresearched) feeling is that they like to change the prize, maybe every year.....

[Caribeing]

Very enterprising of you to make an offer albeit
for your own benefit. An alternative to pens or
dictionaries would be welcome. I think a lot
of people, if, they win would like vouchers, but
it is the thrill of actually winning a crossword that
counts. A friend of mine won a butter dish for
a quite difficult crossword, the prize was in
conjunction with a Butter Co. It wasn't of
great value but it was a "talking point"
Good Luck with your suggestions!!

[cheshunt]

I always prefer good old fashioned cash, then it can be spent as one wishes. No good winning something you don't want or will not use.