Check your state's legal restrictions on essay contests before promoting yours. Each state has different regulations for essay contests, and in some states they are even illegal. If possible, hire a lawyer to review the terms and conditions of your essay contest, any applications you will ask your contestants to submit and any contracts.
Create a professional-looking website. Edit your website carefully or hire a proofreader so that the text is grammatically correct and free of typos; otherwise, people may not think that your essay contest is legitimate.
Write a press release and submit it to print and online media outlets for publication.
Contact your local public radio stations, newspapers and television stations. These outlets will be your best bets at getting free promotion of your contest in the form of interviews, news coverage or mentions. You may also ask to underwrite radio programs or purchase ad space in order to market your contest.
Create bold, attention-grabbing flyers that outline the contest's conditions and your contact information. Post them in places of interest around your local community; be sure to get permission first. Try coffee shops, libraries, post offices, grocery stores and other town fixtures.