Summary: Leave a comment and vote here to win $100 worth of feel-good prizes you get to choose. You can vote daily if you want. If I win, I’ll do this weekly!

As you may have ascertained from my site and my Twitter stream, I am in a contest that has created quite a buzz over the last week.

What Is SAM-e.com’s “ Good Mood Blogger” Contest?

SAM-e is a supplement—a naturally occurring compound that contributes to maintaining mood levels. In a clever social media campaign, the site is seeking a well-paid blogger to write one daily post for six months, chronicling all the things that make him or her happy.

A few different friends sent me the link for this contest last week because I’ve spent a lot of time writing blog posts and tweeting about happiness and positivity. I started this blog as a way to say, “Times are tough, but there’s plenty of reason to smile.” That mission inspired my very first post, 10 Reasons It’s Awesome the Economy Sucks.

Back to the contest, after I read the details, I entered, sent the link to everyone and their mother, and have been watching as one after another, all kinds of inspiring people throw their hats in the ring.

Why Should I Get This Job?

Instead of inundating you with links, I’d like to give you a few compelling reasons to support me to the end of this thing. Here are my intentions with this contest:

1. I want to continue writing about life as it actually is. I believe being in a good mood requires the ability to acknowledge and deal with the things that cause bad moods. I’ve done this in a few of my posts:

• It’s Awesome You Feel Bad; Create Sustainable Optimism
• The Cure for Discontentment: Use It
• 40 Ways to Let Go and Feel Less Pain

If I become SAM-e’s blogger, I can promise to be just as honest and passionate in my writing.

2. I’d like to create a blog that is as interactive as possible. If a lot of people comment, that means I’ll respond to a lot of people.

3. I’d like to continue those conversations on Twitter. I started a second account to support my involvement in this contest—@GoodMoodBlogger—and it would honor me to spread more positive energy there.

4. I’d like to give back. I hope my words are helpful. It would bring me lots of joy to know my experiences may in some way help other people. But I also want to share the abundance this opportunity would provide me by running a contest within a contest.

How Will I Share the Abundance?

Starting today, I will keep track of everyone who votes for me and comments on this blog post. At the end of Phase 1, I will send one of my supporters an “Ultimate Good Mood” package, valued at $100.

I have some ideas of what to include–but I’d like to open that up to you! I’m thinking books, such as The Good Mood Diet, feel-good DVDs, a colorful journal to count your blessings. I realize things don’t lead to happiness, but there are certain comfort items that help! Add some ideas in the comments so I can put together an awesome package.

If I get this role, I will send out one of these packages–independently–every week for the six months I hold the position. That’s 24 good mood packages to readers. Each one valued at $100 and shipped do you directly from the online vendor (to make it easier on me) for a grand total of $2,500. If I win, I will run the contest from this blog, unless SAM-e permits me to discuss it on their site.

What Should You Do Now?

If you’ve read my work and believe I’d be good in this role, you’re half-way done. I wouldn’t want anyone to help me win just because I’m offering prizes. That, to me, is just a way of saying thank you for helping me assume a position that so obviously would benefit me as much as readers.

The next step is to help me win! I need to stay in the top 20 until the beginning of November to advance to the second round. At that point, the remaining applicants will all make videos for voting. A panel of judges will then pick the winner. Here’s what you can do to help me:

1. Bookmark the contest page and vote once a day. You can vote here: http://www.sam-e.com/job/profile/237

2. Share the link to this page. Blog about my giveaway. Talk about it on Twitter. I recommend this tweet:

I voted for @lori_deschene & entered the “Good Mood” giveaway. Comment & vote to enter! http://bit.ly/3k19ep

I want this opportunity for lots of reasons—one of them is to be generous. Not just with money. With my feelings. With my experiences. With my willingness to listen. Though I may have the byline, readers make a blog. I want to start lots of great conversations. I want you to be part of them.

Thank you for your support in this endeavor, and thank you for reading my blog. I appreciate you.

Now get commenting and vote for me!

Photo credit

*Although I have permission from Ignite Social Media and Nature Made SAM-e to run this contest within a contest, I am personally liable for all activities within it.

Tags: contest, good mood, happy, positive, sam-e

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 12:40 am and is filed under Giveaway, Gratitude, Social Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.