So, you’ve entered to win a spot at the Maya Marriage of Many on 12/12/12, but arent sure how to get the most votes. I’m going to try to help you out!

1. And this really is #1 – Please make sure your submission is about BELIZE One poor girl just cant seem to understand the belize is NOT in mexico! I even emailed her, but she doesnt seem to get it….sorry, but i just cant give this away to someone who doesnt understand that Belize is a COUNTRY…not a town in Mexico. So…check your facts a bit

2. Make your submission readable, and as concise as you can. While your friends and family may read your novella, odds are, other people coming to the page to vote, wont. Most of the longer stories are GREAT, but you really want people to read them, so try to edit a bit if you can.

3. Make the Submission Compelling and relevant – tell us about yourself and your fiance. Tell us why you want to be wed in such an unusual way in such an unusual place. How can you relate to Belize and the Maya Culture? What about your love story is so unique that it will make the average reader, who does not know you, want to participate in helping you get a coveted spot?

4. SHARING IS CARING! – while this doesnt apply to all thing (eek!) it sure does to Facebook! The more you “share” your story or posts from the 2012 Weddings Belize Fan Page, the more exposure your entry will receive. Get your FRIENDS to “share” as well, and have them ask their friends to “LIKE” Your submission. Think about those old commercials “and she told 2 friends, and then they told 2 friends, and so on and so on and so on….” (did i just age myself??) But the point remains…this is the very nature of “going viral”. Take your submission Viral, and you stand a greater chance of winning.

5. Call your local newspaper and wedding related businesses. Tell them about the contest, and that you are looking to get a little help over the holidays to get votes. You can call them, and then email them your submission. I have tons of information I’d be happy to forward to your media outlets to help you get your entire Local and Regional Community involved to help make your dream (and mine!) a reality.

I’ll keep adding more tips as they come to me, but if you do these Top 5 Tips to winning this contest, you will certainly have a great chance of rising to the top! We’ve got another 5 weeks or so, so you have a lot of time to really get some great momentum going for yourself.

If you partner with your local vendors, you also make some great connections for yourself even if you dont win the contest!

oh, one last thing – i do want to keep on reminding you – you will have to pay US taxes on the value of the prize, which is $14,030. I have no control over this, and there isnt anything i can do about the crummy tax law that makes you pay on a prize, but you do need to know this. Also, international airfare to belize is not included, but again, maybe if you got some local community support those businesses will also get some press and media (which is good for them, and good for you) and maybe a travel agent can kick in some discounted airfare. Heck, you never know unless you ask!

Back to wrapping presents for me….see you all soon!
Hugs
Lara