Enter This Essay Contest and You Could Win a Free Trip to Boston from MarketingProfs

You can be a good writer without being a good marketer. But I don’t think you can be a good marketer without also being a good writer.

Which is why we’re excited to announce the First-Ever MarketingProfs Essay Contest in connection with this fall’s premier B2B marketing event, MarketingProfs’ B2B Marketing Forum.

This year’s B2B Forum is our 9th, and it’s the largest, most inspired, must-attend event for anyone who works in business-to-business marketing, in any capacity.

(See the full program and keynotes here. Or read more background on the event here. Or here’s a picture of a shark.)

How could the MarketingProfs B2B Forum make you a better marketer?

The individual who best articulates the answer to the question How could the MarketingProfs B2B Forum make you a better marketer? wins a free pass to the Forum … and other perks we’ll talk about in a sec. Essays must be submitted by August 14 to be considered.

Here’s the FAQ on how to enter, and more.

Q: An essay contest? Like, the old-school kind? Why an essay contest?
A: Yes! An essay contest. But writing isn’t old-school. It’s a necessary skill in a modern, content-driven world.

Q: Why that particular essay prompt?
A: The theme of this year’s Forum is Make Marketing Magic—with an emphasis on the Make.

Marketers make all kinds of things—they make business happen, they make customers happy, they make content, they often make the culture of a company, and they make some magical marketing, too.

We want to hear how being around like-minded marketers and soaking up the smarts at the B2B Marketing Forum will make you the marketer you are destined to be.

Q: How do I enter?
A: It feels like this should’ve been your first question.

But anyway: Write a 500-word essay on how attending the B2B Forum will make you a better marketer at your organization. Submit your entry using this form.

Q: Is there a cost to enter? Like in the Lovell, Maine inn essay contest? Or Alabama Goat Cheese farm contest?
A: No. There is no cost to enter.

Q: Can I write less than 500 words?
A: You mean fewer than 500? Yes. But no more than 500 words, which is about one and a half pages.

Q: Does grammar count?
A: Of course. But the ideas and cohesion of your writing matter more.

Q: Can I include photos, video, or audio? Or links to them?
A: No. That’s why it’s called an essay contest. And not a video contest. Or an audio contest. Or an Instagram contest. Or a puppet show. Or what have you.

Q: I’m a student. Can I enter?
A: Yes.

Q: What do I win?
A: One first-place winner wins an all-access pass to the B2B Marketing Forum taking place October 20-23 in Boston, including two half-day pre-conference training workshops.

You’ll also receive hotel accommodations at the Westin Boston Waterfront for four nights, $400 toward travel, free access to B2B On-Demand, and an extra-sweet swag bag exclusive to our essay contest winners. Total approximate value: $4,300.

Two second-place winners win an all-access pass to B2B Marketing Forum, free access to B2B On-Demand, and an extra-sweet swag bag exclusive to our essay contest winners. Total approximate value: $2,200.

Plus, two additional runners-up will receive a 50% “scholarship” toward B2B Marketing Forum 2015 registration and free access to B2B On-Demand. Total approximate value: $1,000.

Q: Will you also run the first-prize essay on MarketingProfs?
A: You know, that’s a great idea. I think we will do that! Thanks for the suggestion.

Actually, when you submit your essay you give MarketingProfs permission to publish your work on our site or in our B2B Marketing Forum promotions, whether or not you win. This doesn’t mean we’re asking you to give up your copyright, just that you’re okay with us sharing your writing prowess if we think it’s particularly awesome.

Q: How about making me a guest on your podcast, too?
A: Don’t get greedy.

Q: What are you looking for in the winning entry?
A: Inspired ideas, well expressed.

Q: That’s it?
A: Yep.

Q: What are my odds?
A: Well, that really depends on the number of people who participate.

Q: Math isn’t my strong suit.
A: Okay.

Q: Who are the judges?
A: MarketingProfs’ editorial staff.

(They said to tell you that they take bribes. But I told them no, we don’t.)

Q: What’s the deadline?
A: August 14, 2015. That leaves you only a few weeks. But great marketers can make things happen in short order … like producing a ridiculously good, prize-winning essay.

Q: Will you extend the submission deadline because it’s a marketing thing to create a false-deadline?
A: No. This is a real deadline. We won’t be extending the submission deadline.

Q: When will you announce the winners?
A. We will notify the winners by September 4.

Q: What if I’m already registered?
A:. First, thank you. Second, you can still submit an essay for consideration. If your essay wins we’ll refund or adjust your previous payment accordingly. Easy peasy.

Q: What’s the fine print disclaimer? And can you write it in English?
A: Sure.

This contest is run by MarketingProfs LLC | 1985 Riviera Dr, Ste 103-17 | Mount Pleasant, SC | 29464 | events@marketingprofs.com | (866) 557-9625. To qualify, you must be at least 18, live in the United States or Canada, and submit your 500-word essay in English online using this submission form by 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time on August 14, 2015.

You can only submit one essay and it must be written by you (no cheating off your smarty-pants high school neighbor). There will be a single round of judging, meaning no run-offs or extra work on your part after you press submit. We don’t require payment—either in cash or internet cat videos—to enter, so put your credit cards and YouTube links away.

Sorry, but if you’re a MarketingProfs employee, contractor, or immediate family member—or B2B Marketing Forum 2015 sponsor employee, contractor, or immediate family member—you are not eligible. Registration, travel, and hotel prizes are non-transferable, so don’t even think about giving away your loot (unless you win a swag bag—then share away).

Void where prohibited by law. Like Quebec (sorry, we’re just not up with all of Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux rules and requirements, so best not to press our luck).

So—get cracking! Enter by August 14, 2015.

Good luck! We hope to see you in Boston!

Got another Q? Hit me up below.