Hey Guys-

The SugarLoot staff compiled some helpful hints on how to make your video entries stand out and win some contests.

If you want to get some more votes, read below!

1.) Your videos do not need to be too long. Shorter videos that are to the point are more likely to be watched by more people, and hence, will get you more votes.

2.) Make sure people can see you clearly. Turn the lights on bright. Bring in some more lamps if necessary. If you film outside during the daytime, make sure there are no shadows. (Have the sun face the person on camera.)

3.) Speak loudly and clearly.

4.) The thumbnail for your video is taken from the first frame. That means the first nano-second of your vid is going to be the image that will get people to click on it. When you start recording, make sure you’re in front of the camera so people can see your beautiful face.

5.) Energy and a smile make videos super neat to watch.

6.) Have fun! People love watching videos that the creators had a fun time making.

Hopefully these hints help!

If you think your video entries meet this criteria (I know, I sound like a professor), post them below so people can take a look! Thanks!

I knew I forgot something.

I got a chance to stop by the Clique audition in sunny Los Angeles!

Head over to my profile to check out some of my pictures!

So, I know a lot of you must be wondering why I haven't blogged in a while. (And by "a lot of you", I probably just mean my mom. So, here's my explanation, Mom.)

This might be rather lengthy, so grab a pillow.

I have a confession to make:

I haven't been watching Gossip Girl.

Are you done gasping yet?

Okay, I'll give you another moment.

Okay, I hope you're not short of breath. I'd hate for you to need an oxygen tank on my behalf.

Anyway, I haven't been watching Gossip Girl, so when we launched our Tell Us Your Gossip Contest, decided that I needed to see what I've been missing.

Cut to me, many days later, slumped on a friend's couch eating raw cookie dough, doing nothing but watching episode after episode of Gossip Girl that my friend TiVo-ed.

Now I will tell you another confession:

I friggin' LOVE Gossip Girl!!

So that's where I've been. It's so pathetic; it's not even worth gossiping about.

So, now let me catch up.

First things first, I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Secondly, I want to congratulate Heather and Johnny Faith for coming in first and second place, respectively, in the Best Evanescence Inspired Style contest. They worked hard at getting the votes and they totally deserve it. So, congrats guys!

Thirdly, you guys should check out Taylor's entry for the Tell Us Your Gossip contest, solely for the fact that I can totally relate. Then, check out her profile because her playlist includes Journey and I am obligated by law to advertise for Journey any chance I get.



Finally, I want to thank all of you for your feedback for the newsletter title. I have a feeling we're going to go with CandyGram, so check those inboxes to find out!

So lately we've noticed a bunch of great anonymous gossip blog profiles popping up and even some looking for "models." This is such a fun idea! We love it. Just a few things to keep in mind:

First thing: Never EVER give out your personal information on the internet! That means your last name, IM, email, phone number, address or anything like that. Anonymous means it could be ANYONE - it could be some cool girl your age, or it could be some scary 60 year old guy with nose hair using a fake picture (eww!). Please contact us here at SugarLoot if someone sets off your creep alert radar, and click the "block" button at the top of their profile to keep them from bothering you.

(Idea: You can always have these blogs and model groups grab photos off your profile if you want to submit them, instead of emailing.)

Second thing: Don't ever give money to someone promising you a modeling/acting career! (Like Tyra B. always says... if they're asking you to pay, it's a scam!) There are no agencies with profiles on SugarLoot. What is on here is by members just for fun. And NEVER give out pics you wouldn't want your parents to see.

We're so excited to see you forming groups and friendships on SugarLoot- just wanted to remind you all to be smart about it!

- Jenn, SugarLoot Staff

You guys have no idea how hard it was to keep me from spilling the beans about the Tell Us Your Gossip contest, which is now in pre-launch.

It was almost as difficult as keeping the secret about Britney Spears once being a talented pop-star. (Zing! Let's see how many Britney Spears' jokes I can tell in a month.)

I am super-excited about the Tell Us Your Gossip contest. So many of you have been asking for it and now here it is:

Hey guys. Nugz here. (Well, who else would it be?) If you've been checking your inboxes you may have noticed a brand spanking new super-duper totally awesome newsletter.

However, we don't have a title for it!

We've been going back and forth with some different ideas:

"The CandyGram"

"The Zine @ SugarLoot"

"The SugarLoot Times"

"The SugarLoot Dispatch"

Or

"Please For the Love of God Don't Delete Us. We're Not Spam. This Isn't a Scam!"

(As you can tell, the last suggestion was mine. Yes, I am a literary genius.)

Anyway, we need your help! Please comment and tell us what you think the name of the newsletter should be. Feel free to suggest some new titles, too!

I wish this picture could be entered in Prettiest Eyes.



Too bad it already won Cutest Pet.

Congrats, Mary!

Halloween isn't over until SugarLoot says it is over...

...Or until it is a week before Thanksgiving.

Check out the winners for Best Halloween Costume and Cutest Pet Costume, respectively...

...And when I say, "respectively", I don't mean to undermine anyone's intelligence, but I really thought that the winner for Cutest Pet Costume was an actual princess.

Also, before you look at the picture for the Best Halloween costume, I am required to warn you that this picture is not for the faint of heart...

...And by faint of heart, I mean bed-wetters.

Tarah, Best Halloween Costume



Dawn, Cutest Pet Costume

Well, it looks like some members of SugarLoot are going to be the next Annie Leibovitz. Check out the following winners who both can brag that they are $200 richer!

Tracy, Best Black and White Photo.



Katie, Most School Spirit

There's a reason why pets are cute...

... and it is to win you money.

Cover one eye. Read the following letters. Then, repeat covering the other eye.

This is adorable/biologically impossible... right?



This is also Kayla's entry for Cutest Pet. Check it out and vote!

Hey Kids.

If you check your inboxes, you may have noticed a revamp of our newsletter. It's way cooler and has news and updates about contests, people, and prizes.

Also, we've updated our privacy feature. Now, there are more options for you to choose what info is seen by others what is not.

Yay for choices! This is better than Burger King.

They are like Romeo and Juliet, but without the tragedy... and with the Internet, particularly SugarLoot and our Best Couple contest.



Congrats to Cindy for winning October’s Best Couple contest. Of course, we were expecting the Frankensteins to win for October, but this is just as romantic.

Apparently, you can pick your friend's nose.

I always wanted to know what a friendship like that was like...



Congrats to Vivka for winning the Best Best Friend contest. She is the lucky winner of an American Express gift card.

Vivka, I sincerely hope you washed your hands after taking this picture.