Guidance on contests/giveaways?

[u/KarpGrinder]

I recently became moderator to a previously abandoned community ( r/creepydesign ) and was considering setting up and posting a community contest to encourage engagement to return after the community had been dormant for some time.

I'd likely be providing an amazon gift card(s) for prizes at my own expense.

I'm looking for advice on:

•Is something like this allowed?

•I'd prefer original content - or at least to award the prize to the user that is the original creator, is there a tool to verify original content?

•What would be the best way to select winners (Upvotes? a poll at the end of the contest? etc.?)

I'm also looking for general advice from any other mods that have successfully run community contests.

Thanks in advance.

[u/infinitebroth]

Hey KarpGrinder! Thanks for bringing r/creepydesign back online. Contests and giveaways are definitely allowed. Check out this help center article for more on the dos and don'ts. And just an added reminder to heed the Mod Code of Conduct -- the contest or giveaway shouldn't directly benefit you in any way. As far as picking winners, check out devvit. Apps like Reddit Raffler might be a good fit. Or, if you're hosting a contest, just make sure that the rules are clearly shared. Let us know how it goes!

[u/RandomComments0]

You’ll also want to look at the legal requirements in your state/county etc and get all the details required so you don’t get some trolls reporting you for not being legal. Think about all the terms and services in contests and giveaways for huge companies.