BASIC INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 — Login to http://www.newspapercontest.com/Alabama. Complete rules for advertising, editorial and magazine contests are available online. Some browsers, such as Safari, will open the rules in a new window; others will require you to download the PDF file to your computer. 

Step 2 — Click on the “Register” tab.

Step 3— Register on the contest website using your email address.  The Association Code is: AlabamaPress. You will receive a confirmation email, which you will need to complete your registration. Note: You will need separate email addresses for the AMA Editorial, Advertising and Magazine contests.

Step 4 — On this page, select your newspaper name. A lot of information will auto-fill. If you do not see your paper listed or if the information is incorrect, please call APA at 205-871-7737. Your Division will be selected for you based on your circulation. Fill in the preparer’s name.

Step 5 — Select “Editorial,” “Advertising” or "Magazine" to begin submitting entries. As you create entries, this field will not change unless you select to change it. All required fields are marked with a red asterisk. 

Step 6 — Select the contest category. These are drop-down menus for your convenience. This field will clear each time you save an entry, so you must select a class for each new entry. When you select the class, special instructions will appear below it.

Step 7 — If necessary, provide an explanation of your entry. The explanation/cutline box is limited to 3,000 characters. It’s a good idea to write your explanation in another program, such as Word, and copy/paste into the explanation box. If a URL is required, fill in the URL box; there is no need to type “http://.” 

Step 8  —Follow the naming instructions carefully for each category listed on the on AMA Rules and Requirements sheet.

Step 9 — Include the name of the person or people who should be credited for any award. This is generally the writer, reporter, photographer, graphic artist, cartoonist, etc. It is not necessarily the name of the person submitting the entry nor the person picking up the award at the convention. 

Step 10 — Add your file or files. You can drag and drop files or use the “Add files” button to navigate your files. Generally, files should be in PDF format except photos, which should be in high-resolution JPG format. Other files and URLs may be acceptable as noted in the special instructions. Upload as many files as are necessary to complete your entry but refer to the special instructions for any limitations.  Mail-in categories must be entered into the online system, follow the instructions for each category listed in the Contest Rules and Regulations. 

Step 11 — When you have completed your submission, click the “Save” button. If you click the “Back to list” button, you will lose the entry you just completed. After clicking “Save,” you will be directed back to the list of your entries. You may not change an entry, but you may delete an entry and resubmit it.

Step 12 — To submit another entry, click “Add New Entry.” As long as you have not logged out of the system, your newspaper name will still be in place and you can simply start at Step 6 again. You may log out and log back in later to continue adding entries. You will need to select your newspaper name each time you log in. 

Step 13 — If you are done submitting entries, please review the list. When done uploading all your entries, click the “Billing” button on the list page. This will take you to a page where the entry fee is automatically generated. You will have the option of paying online with a credit card via PayPal (you do not have to have a PayPal account to use this feature), phoning in a credit card payment or mailing in payment. Once payment is made, we will disable your access to the page. If you find out later that you need access, you would need to call the APA office at 205-871-7737 or register using a different email address.