What makes a good Blog Contest?

I feel that Blog contests can be very beneficial and are certainly growing in popularity. I have entered a few and these are my thoughts on what determines a good blog contest. Of course, everyone will have different preferences, but this is what works for me.
A good Blog Contest should have benefit for both host and participant. These are the main factors that determine a good contest.

• Relevant Prizes.

I’m a blogger in the UKand I’m not particularly interested in winning a $15 Wal mart gift voucher, nor do I particularly desire to get a copy of books like “Make money online”

• Links.

As a blogger what I most value is links from good blogs. Links help our SERPS and Page Rank.

• Exposure.

Participating in a blog contest should be a good way to increase exposure amongst like minded bloggers. For example, writing contests at Problogger is an opportunity to make your blog known to people in the similar niche.

• The Criteria must be something worthwhile.

I will only enter a competition if I can do something worthwhile. For example, blogging fingers had a competition about Niche Blogging. I was free to write a post on niche blogging – Is it good to diversify a niche blog? As this is suitable for my blog I have nothing to lose through entering. I am much less likely to enter a competition where I have to review and unrelated product.

• Encourages High Standards.

A good blog contest is about encouraging high standards, writing a high quality article benefits the whole blogosphere.

Thanks to Binary Moon for including me in this link blog contest.

Note: A good blog contest is a good way of encouraging more RSS subscribers. I now read the blogs I have entered a competition

• Contest Blogger
• Blog Contests on the net