Judging Contests: A Marketing Opportunity?

MOOD STATUS: "Pleased." Making some good progress on my wip!

I've judged writing contests for a few years for my RWA chapter. I always enjoy it, because I love seeing what's out there as far as writing goes and I love learning from the entrants. Hopefully, the entrants learn something from me too!

Last year, I attended a workshop on unusual marketing. One of the tips was to put your writer business card in the envelope along with the bill you're mailing out.

See? Unusual. But not out of the question. After all, the credit card companies are always stuffing extra mailers in with your bill, so it only stands to reason you should do the likewise. :)

You never know...

But the tip that surprised me the most was the suggestion to sign your name at the bottom of every contest entry you judge in order to get your name out there.

Hmm... I'll be honest. I hesitated at the one. I don't know why. I mean, I'm not a harsh judge. I try to be honest and helpful--and almost always point entrants to helpful writing tools or websites that I use myself. Plus, I'm definitely one to stand by my critiques.

So why did this suggestion have me making a face?

First thought: Well, I know most writers appreciate constructive criticism but what if that writer happens to have thin skin? Would they then hate me and never read any of my books as a result?

Don't laugh! (Well, maybe you can a little) But the writing world is unusually small and I know plenty of writers who will never buy books from authors after reading something offensive on the authors' blogs. So I think it would stand to reason that someone could take offense at what I had said or suggested to them.

Second thought: On the other hand, when I had entered contests, I always wanted to know who the published authors were who were judging me. Not so I could harass them, but because I liked to know what kind of stories they wrote as opposed to the story I had written. I thought I could gain a better appreciation for what they had suggested or told me about by seeing the example in their own writing.

Well, I took both thoughts into consideration during the last contest I judged. But after much thinking, I chickened out and left my scoring anonymous. (I know. I'm a wuss) But then a month later, the contest coordinator sent me an e-mail from one of the contestants thanking me for the suggestions I had made and that she agreed with my overall assessment.

Well, darn it. Needless to say, I was sorry I didn't sign my name. Next time, I'm standing by my judging remarks and letting them know who I am!

What about you? When you judge writing contests do you sign your name or leave it anonymous? Do you think there is some sort of marketing value in it?