One weeks notice.

Stephie, maybe before you start a contest, rather than having it be effective immediately, you should talk about it at least one week in advance. That way users are not "put on the spot" It seems like a lot of people wanted to enter the contest, however they were not available until the judging begun. Perhaps this would help.

Aww but Gitah..if we can't have a contest quickly, then no one will be able to get a reward for a long time...buuut...okay Gitah it would just be better to extend the date to a week later is what I think.