If you've read my posts in the past, you know my thoughts on marketing contests: Enter them for fun and/or for the challenge, but don't make them the strategy to building your career. Winning is more of a long shot than competing for a job the old fashioned way — interviewing. Sometimes contests feel like you're giving away your hard work or you're not getting the compensation you deserve for your ideas.

On the bright side, if you're seeking ways to keep your creative edge and build your book, look at contests as a creative brief. It lets you work on something structured (and real) and you may end up with some good samples worth showing. In fact, my first book had contest samples – competitions I actually won. Believe me, the number of wins were small in comparison to my number of entries.

With that said, Grammy-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari is looking for a new identity. She, along with Talenthouse, is calling on designers to create a new logo for her upcoming album, website and summer tour materials. Ben-Ari has been referred to as the "hip hop violinist," working with Jay Z, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson and John Legend.

You have until May 18, 2011 to submit three of your best logos  (jpg files). Voting begins May 19-25 to chose the top 20 finalists. As a finalist, you get special consideration, but Ben-Ari will ultimately choose the winner, who will be announced May 31, 2011 and will receive $500.

You can debate the compensation, but admittedly, there's something cool about seeing a CD and music tour and being able to say, "I worked on that." In fact, that's what Talenthouse is all about – "Participate in projects with leading artists and brands, gain recognition and increase your global reach." They've held contests involving everyone from Lady Gaga to Marvel Comics' Stan Lee.

So have fun with it. If you win, work it to your advantage. If you don't, work it into your portfolio.

Go here for more information.