The Random Contest

By Leia

In case you've never heard of the Random Contest, I'll explain it to you a little bit.

It's completely random! Here are some examples of past contests: Build an Usuki Dream House, Neopets Yarn Painting, Gadgadsbogen Mask, Neopets Fortune Cookie Fortune, Neopets Sci-Fi Movie Poster, Balloon Animal Neopets, etc.

The top 5-10 or so entries win an item, 10,000 NP, the Random Contest avatar, and a trophy. The top 10-20 or so entries win 5,000 NP, the Random Contest avatar, an item, and a trophy. The top 100 or so entries win 2,000 NP and the Random Contest avatar. Only the first and second place entries are shown on the Random Contest page. It's more difficult than I thought to write this guide. Basically, I just have a few tips for you.

1. BE CREATIVE. In my opinion, the "cooler" entries are the ones that are of a Neopets plot character or recognizable item. They seem to win a greater percentage of the time. People just do pets and petpets all the time. You'll probably gain more notice with a more unique topic.
2. If they are asking a question (What does the Yurble Foreman do on his days off? What do the Neopets offices look like?), they will either be asking for a text answer or a pictorial answer. Often on the text answers (Write us a postcard from somewhere in Neopia), they get so many entries that they just randomly select winners. You may as well always enter these, because you have as much a chance as anyone to win.
3. Put some effort into it! Make it look nice. If it's an actual object (hat, cake, etc), remember that you only have to send in a picture from one angle if you want to. Therefore, if you are lazy, you could only make one side of it look nice and get away with it. Pictures don't have to be excellently drawn, but make sure you can tell you spent time on it.
4. Follow the rules!!! I can't link you to them or quote them here, because they're different for every contest. Just make sure your submission fits the specifications given for the contest your entering. For example, for the thumbprint painting one, you had to include in your image a picture of your thumb with the paint/ink on it.