How to Create a Contest

Creating a contest on Reveal The Winner is quick and easy. Follow these steps to get started.

Step 1: Sign Up or Log In

If you don't have an account yet, sign up for free. If you already have an account, log in to your account.

Step 2: Navigate to Dashboard

Once logged in, you'll be taken to your dashboard. Click the "Create New Contest" button.

Step 3: Fill Out Contest Details

Enter the following information:

• Contest Name: Give your contest a memorable name (e.g., "Family Bake-Off 2026")
• Contest Type: Choose from Bake-Off, Chili Cookoff, BBQ Competition, Cocktail Contest, or Custom
• Date: Select the date of your contest
• Description: Add an optional description

Step 4: Configure Scoring

• Scoring Mode: Choose between "Invited Judges" or "Open Voting"
• Blind Judging: Enable if you want to hide entry owner names during scoring
• Public Submissions: Allow public submissions if using open voting mode

Step 5: Add Categories

After creating your contest, add scoring categories:

• Category Name: e.g., "Taste", "Presentation", "Creativity"
• Weight: How important this category is (0.0 to 1.0)
• Max Score: Maximum points for this category (e.g., 10)

Step 6: Add Entries

Add entries to your contest:

• Entry Name: Name of the entry (e.g., "Chocolate Chip Cookies")
• Owner Name: Who created this entry
• Description: Optional description about the delicous cookies
• Optional: Create judges when creating your entry. Linking them keeps the judge from voting for their own entry

Step 7: Add Judges

Invite judges to score your contest:

• Judge Name: Name of the judge
• Email: Optional email for sending invitations (they're sent immediately)
• Link to Entry: If the judge also has an entry, link them to prevent self-voting

Step 8: Share Your Contest

Once your contest is set up:

1. Share the Contest Code with judges
2. Or share the QR Code for easy mobile access
3. Judges can scan the QR code or enter the code to start scoring

Step 9: Start Voting

It's voting day and time to vote:

• Visit the contest dashboard
• Change the status from Draft to Open
• The contest is now open for submissions