March 4th - Giveaways. As a blogger, how do you feel about extra entries, required entries etc? Do you have a system to choose/announce winners and keep prizes organized? What method works best for you when hosting a giveaway? (Rafflecopter/Google Doc's or other)What do you do about people who enter your giveaways but don't follow instructions exactly?
Have you ever had problems hosting a giveaway sponsored by an author or publisher who is supposed to send the prize to the winner and doesn't? How have you handled these issues?
As a prize winner - what do you do if your prize never arrives? Do you contact the blogger or just let it go?
I am okay with extra entries but I will only do them if I already follow them on the multiple social networks. I am very picky about what is on my feed. I love Raffle copter, and its so organized and easy to use. Well everyone seems to follow the instructions but I also do many extra add ons.
I am all for making sure that the winner gets the prize whether from me or from the publisher. Actually a winner of mine had 4 books taken from her from the post office , so I brought all new books since it was a prize that was given from me. I also have had to remind a publisher that my winner didn't get the books. It happens.
Well I can wait for a prize ..but after a couple months...then I wonder. It also depends on the prize. If its something I really wanted then I bug the blog ...but other times, I understand that giveaways that things don't always happen in a timely manner.
I have noticed that giveaways have gone down since I have been blogging. It seems for all the promotion that I do , I don't end up having more than 100 ..but in previous years it was much more.
But what about you ?? Have you ever had to bug someone for a prize ??
Thanks Pam and Karen for this topic.
If I don't hear anything after 5-6 weeks, I usually email the blogger. This has happened a few times. Sometimes it's a good thing because they forgot. If I still don't receive it after another 5-6 weeks, I sent off one more email and then give up afterwards. Unfortunately, it happens. It sucks, especially when it was something you really, really wanted (signed/personalized book), but there's nothing you can do about it. I think that is why I am all for making sure the winners get their prizes too. I know how it feels.
ReplyDeleteExtra entries... it depends. If I'm already following in that manner, than I will do them. I much prefer rafflecopter because sometimes I'll see someone tweet a giveaway and I don't remember if I entered it, especially if it is one that runs a long time. Rafflecopter tells you. :)
~Sara @ Forever 17 Books
Yes it depends on the blog too for extra entries too :) love rafflecopter
DeleteMy entries for the self/indie pubs are very small which make she sad for the author but even a few bigger book giveaways have had smaller entries than I thought they would.
ReplyDeletePeople seem to like gift cards and the ability to chose a book these days.
I also find it's the international peeps that enter more giveaways since so few allow them to enter. they are usually US only.
yes I need to do another international one soon :)
DeleteI had one giveaway that I never got the prize. I didn't bug the person. Perhaps I should have, but it was a fairly minor prize that I wasn't that into.
ReplyDeleteYes it totally depends on the prize :)
DeleteThat is sooo nice of you to replace the books. I would have done the same thing. I'm picky about what's in my feed as well. I just can't follow willy-nilly.
ReplyDeleteYes I was so upset that they got stolen :( >Yes more picky
DeleteI agree with you about only entering if you are already following. I don't bother to follow blogs any more unless I really like them. There is just no way for me to keep up otherwise. It doesn't surprise me that you replaced the books. You strike me as one of those sweet sort of people. :)
ReplyDeleteI admit I have found new blogs because of giveaways but then ..its easier if already following the blog. ah too kind
DeleteI've also noticed fewer giveaways in the last few months! It seems that some of the bloggers I follow are going the route of giving away only books they love and not doing as many publisher-sponsored giveaways.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that too. I seem to be doing more sponsored one by pubs because its easier on me and budget wise.
DeleteI like to giveaway prizes at Thanksgiving to thank followers. I try to keep it simple, though. I don't want them to have to do too much work!
ReplyDelete