BASIC INSTRUCTIONS (You may wish to print this page)
Step 1 — Register on the contest website using your email address. You will receive a
confirmation email, which you will need to complete registration. Use the link
above to register.
Step 2 — Login to www.ipacontest.com (or use the link above). You will see a page showing
any entries you have already submitted. Complete rules for both advertising and
editorial contests are available here (click links). 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 3 — Click on the “Add New Entry” link.
Step 4 — On this page, select your newspaper name. A lot of information will autofill. If
that information is incorrect, please call the IPA at 217-241-1300. Your
Division will be selected for you based on your circulation. Fill in the
preparer’s name.
Step 5 — Select “Editorial” or “Advertising” 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 class. 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 — Include the name of the entry. If uploading full-page PDF files, it will be
helpful if the entry name matches the headline on the page so the judges can
find it easily. If the judges cannot tell what is to be judged, the entry will
be discarded without refund.
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.
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.
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. You may not change
an entry, but you may delete and entry and resubmit it. 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 through
PayPal, 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 IPA office at 217-241-1300 or register
using a different email address.
That’s it. For more detailed instructions, click on the link toward the top. Also, click on the FAQS link for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
