Now, winning a contest is usually a long shot. Particularly if the contest you enter is a national contest with thousands or hundreds of thousands of entrants and just a couple of good cash prizes.

But big national contests aren't the only ones out there. If you do a bit of scouting around, you may be able to find local contests to enter – contests aimed specifically at helping small businesses get started.

One such contest is a business plan writing contest for residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties in NY. The contest, which takes place this fall (2009), features four prizes -- a $5,000 first prize, a $2,500 second prize, and two honorable mentions of $250 each.

The contest, which is funded by Citi Foundation, is being run by the Middle Country Public Library's Miller Business Resource Center in partnership with the NYS Small Business Development Centers at Farmingdale College and at Stony Brook University. All participants in the contest must attend a free orientation session and four free training sessions where they'll learn how to prepare a business plan. (If you are a Long Island, NY resident and want additional details and sign up information, click here.)

While this particular contest is only open to startups on Long Island, if you get to know the business resources in your community, you may discover contests in your own area, too. Even if you don't, you're likely to find free training to help you develop skills you need to succeed in your new business.

In addition to local contests, don't rule out entering national contests if they are being promoted by a major company or publication, are free to enter and won't require an inordinate amount of your time to enter. Someone will be named a winner in each of those contests, and you never know, it could be you.

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