tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post9041924176902851153..comments2024-03-28T12:11:42.691-04:00Comments on For What It's Worth: Book Blogger Confessions: GiveawaysKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-15054907321700612402013-03-06T12:53:33.620-05:002013-03-06T12:53:33.620-05:00I think I pretty much feel the same way as you. I...I think I pretty much feel the same way as you. I do have extra entries but they are all optional and I limit them (though tours sometimes have more because the author has lots of different sites or something). I don't always get my winnings and I don't every follow up. But I think that if you don't get a prize doing one email follow up to ask about it is fine. After that you just need to let it go. I know sometimes publishers don't get them out and sending them a gentle reminder doesn't hurt. Personally I mail out prizes the same week (almost always) and if they don't arrive it's likely due to the postal service. But it doesn't bother me to have the winner ask. Once. I hate when they just keep asking over and over. Especially if I just don't have a good answer. Luckily I think most all of my stuff arrives, I have only heard otherwise once.Candacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01701325312535440179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-4125001254956184682013-03-06T10:45:02.728-05:002013-03-06T10:45:02.728-05:00I used to join all the hops but I started getting ...I used to join all the hops but I started getting overwhelmed too. I do my monthly giveaway now which is super simple for me. One winner - once a month. I still get to buy a book for someone but not go broke or crazy ;-))Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-47990694980495192722013-03-06T10:43:08.193-05:002013-03-06T10:43:08.193-05:00I'm finding myself overwhelmed by giveaways la...I'm finding myself overwhelmed by giveaways lately. I need to stop signing up for so many hops. But I love sharing books with fellow readers! And I have so many that my shelves are going to buckle if I don't get rid of some. :(starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-42714830689495362172013-03-05T14:58:49.307-05:002013-03-05T14:58:49.307-05:00Thank you for clarifying things for me :). I felt ...Thank you for clarifying things for me :). I felt all those entry requests were a bit unfair to those who had no FB or T or G+ or whatever account...but since you say winners are truly random, I take back my little rant LOL.<br />I'm looking forward to the next round of BBC!Roberta R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18228840429799100354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-6611258601100264752013-03-05T14:15:46.130-05:002013-03-05T14:15:46.130-05:00It's only been a few times. I still prefer it ...It's only been a few times. I still prefer it to google docs. The biggest problem I had was in the beginning people leaving their info in the comments instead of the Rafflecopter form. Luckily that doesn't happen very often anymore.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-64444185891449796582013-03-05T14:12:45.865-05:002013-03-05T14:12:45.865-05:00That's such a good point. I waver on whether t...That's such a good point. I waver on whether to add extra entries or not so i mix it up. Sometimes I offer a few and other giveaways just require a simple name and email. I never thought of adding a follow on GR to my giveaways. I never join new things or follow unless it's someone I really want to. i wouldn't do it just for a prize.<br /><br />I think some of these tour rafflecopter forms are getting crazy long. I'm not sure how other people feel though. I'm sure it's the best opportunity to get new people but it's overwhelming.<br /><br />Oddly enough I would say at least 50% of my winners don't follow or complete extra entries. In fact I've had a person complain about doing all the extra entries yet someone who didn't won. She wanted to know why lol This was in my early days of blogging where you could see all the entries in the comment section (long before rafflecopter or I knew how to use google docs) All I can say is randomizer truly picks randomly. <br /><br />Thanks for your answer even if you didn't join in this week with a post :-)<br />Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-45128880831385308322013-03-05T08:16:51.100-05:002013-03-05T08:16:51.100-05:00Hi Karen,
I've opted out of the meme this time...Hi Karen,<br />I've opted out of the meme this time, because I've never hosted a giveaway, so it's not like my post could be useful. But I would like to comment about the topic. Quoting Jen:<br />"I like giving people a freebie and then some choices between Facebook and Twitter and Goodreads or following the blog".<br />The sad truth is, very few people do that - so kudos to those who do. Most of the time, you're required not only to be following the host and/or the involved author everywhere - which may understandable to a point - but you're actually asked to post about the giveaway on every single social network in existence (LOL, I'm exaggerating just a bit). Now, I'm aware I'm in the minority, but there's no way I'm joining any other network than Goodreads. I don't feel any need or desire to have a FB or T or G+ account. So I guess the Rafflecopters will never love me, as hard as I may try to make friends with them ;). Because I guess you don't stand many chances to win if you haven't complied with all the conditions - is it right? Thanks in advance for any enlightment about the subject :).Roberta R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18228840429799100354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-79768549309923727542013-03-04T22:06:00.658-05:002013-03-04T22:06:00.658-05:00I've had never had a problem with Rafflecopter...I've had never had a problem with Rafflecopter but now I'm intimidated because you've had problems! I might just switch to Google Docs, lol. <br /><br />I agree about the extra entries, you as a Blogger are putting the time/money/etc into the giveaway you should be able to have those promotion entries without feeling guilty!Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06812554090848662429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-13598293238392334392013-03-04T22:00:09.777-05:002013-03-04T22:00:09.777-05:00That's too bad. It's tough on the blogger ...That's too bad. It's tough on the blogger who hosted it too. They have to deal with it in the end.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-25929320251127299832013-03-04T21:59:14.780-05:002013-03-04T21:59:14.780-05:00I don't really follow any bloggers so I'm ...I don't really follow any bloggers so I'm interested to know more about that.<br /><br />I never check back to see if I won things (but I don't enter many) I only enter things where I can leave my email but I do try to announce winners on my blog.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-57238499154144624912013-03-04T21:58:08.046-05:002013-03-04T21:58:08.046-05:00Rafflecopter was hard to get used to at first but ...Rafflecopter was hard to get used to at first but it's so much easier once you get the hang of it. I especially love how it pulls the winners email up for you.<br /><br />Most of my giveaways are direct from the sellers too so I haven't had many problems. Once the Book Depo took over a month to get a book to an international winner.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-58298927290424862772013-03-04T21:56:07.378-05:002013-03-04T21:56:07.378-05:00I always add comments as an extra or required opti...I always add comments as an extra or required option and that seems to work for me.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-8215130391352620812013-03-04T21:55:35.128-05:002013-03-04T21:55:35.128-05:00I'm sure they have a million things to do and ...I'm sure they have a million things to do and emails to answer. It probably gets lost in the shuffle. Not a good enough excuse since they ask us to host the giveaways but I'm guessing that's what happens.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-20346941527389117202013-03-04T21:52:56.597-05:002013-03-04T21:52:56.597-05:00Hmm, I wonder why so many have issues getting book...Hmm, I wonder why so many have issues getting books from publishers. Do they just forget or does it get lost in all the paper?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03219669783738063144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-60689341493550126552013-03-04T19:33:19.845-05:002013-03-04T19:33:19.845-05:00I've noticed that when I receive books from pu...I've noticed that when I receive books from publishers, they are almost always late. It's rare I've gotten one on time.Justicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03878327001239574546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-29741303536127814862013-03-04T14:49:55.546-05:002013-03-04T14:49:55.546-05:00Hehe, I think it's more important that vlogger...Hehe, I think it's more important that vloggers announce. I've never seen a rafflecopter vlogger giveaway UNLESS they do both and just mention it in a vid :P <br />You've never got books from publisher? That's upsetting & not fair- I've had ones from smaller publishers thru goodreads giveaways but normally it is an author who markets it. I love authors who do that themselves even if they have a REP :PAwesomeAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06412663427792021745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-66099137682315905052013-03-04T11:35:29.127-05:002013-03-04T11:35:29.127-05:00For my own giveaways, I only use Rafflecopter now ...For my own giveaways, I only use Rafflecopter now since it's familiar to just about everyone and easy for me to set up. I keep my entries to 4 or less if possible if it's just something for me, 6 or less if it's something specifically for an author/pub, and I try to keep them simple, always with one entry just for commenting.<br /><br />I've had to disqualify two winners this year because they fibbed on their entry, which is kind of disappointing. But usually things go well. I've almost exclusively had giveaways that have me sending the prize directly from Amazon, B&N or The Book Depository because I don't want to deal with shipping. The one time I had to, it was a disaster. <br /><br />When I don't get a prize (which has only happened once), I generally just let it go unless it was from a tour giveaway and then I let the tour hostess know, if only so that she knows that the author didn't fulfill their obligation.<br /><br />Great topic!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088517756967575931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-66338235731966108872013-03-04T11:26:16.393-05:002013-03-04T11:26:16.393-05:00I think you get it by making your first option man...I think you get it by making your first option mandatory. Once the entrant completes that, then the other options open up. I think. :) I've messed up my Rafflecopter forms a few times, so don't take that as gospel.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088517756967575931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-42269805241219358972013-03-04T11:05:19.748-05:002013-03-04T11:05:19.748-05:00I'd love to try rafflecopter, but I just worry...I'd love to try rafflecopter, but I just worry that less people will comment thenBlodeueddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03435479623560871881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-49980444019027206202013-03-04T10:37:15.026-05:002013-03-04T10:37:15.026-05:00Oooh and I do have a locked thing on my form! How ...Oooh and I do have a locked thing on my form! How do I stop that?Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-39805605201804589652013-03-04T10:35:54.500-05:002013-03-04T10:35:54.500-05:00Is that "unlock" an option on Rafflecopt...Is that "unlock" an option on Rafflecopter? I never really paid attention. I hope I don't do that lol<br /><br />My winners have all been great - they contact me right away & let me know when their books arrive which I love.<br /><br />I'm OCD about sending out books too. I get most of them out within two days - a week tops unless something major is going on in my life and I email them to let them know it will be delayed.<br /><br />I change up my extra entries too. I love adding the comment extra entry. It helps it be more than -great giveaway.<br /><br />You have awesome giveaways Jen!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-85744688487422280262013-03-04T10:16:33.916-05:002013-03-04T10:16:33.916-05:00I do a lot of giveaways. I think they are a great ...I do a lot of giveaways. I think they are a great way to draw new people to the blog -- and then you have to keep them there with interesting content. I actually like to offer multiple entry options -- I like giving people a freebie and then some choices between Facebook and Twitter and Goodreads or following the blog. What I hate is the mandatory entry on Rafflecopter that unlocks the rest. That just seems weirdly controlling to me and I often don't enter those.<br /><br />I have only ever had to disqualify one or two winners for not doing what they claimed to do. I usually give people the benefit of the doubt but I've heard that there are some repeater cheaters out there, so I always verify that my winner is legit. But 99% of my entrants are honest and follow the directions.<br /><br />I am OCD about getting my books out as soon as possible. Otherwise I'm afraid I'll forget or offer the book up for something else.<br /><br /><a href="http://jenryland.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Jen @ YA Romantics</a><br />Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756695137600895936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-65042741377485671392013-03-04T10:01:20.166-05:002013-03-04T10:01:20.166-05:00I let the blogger know once but I feel bad harassi...I let the blogger know once but I feel bad harassing them. It's not there fault and if it is for some reason then I probably wouldn't visit them anymore lol<br /><br />Rafflecopter has made things SO much easier.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-29216324300073675282013-03-04T10:00:11.135-05:002013-03-04T10:00:11.135-05:00I used to try and fix it but unless you're hav...I used to try and fix it but unless you're having a legitimate problem with the entry form (& they should contact me) I can't check fix entry all the time. I try to make it straight forward and simple to enter.<br /><br />I gaze over once the extra entires pass 4-5. I'm not following anyone 20 different ways lolKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-34923757056894340972013-03-04T09:58:25.079-05:002013-03-04T09:58:25.079-05:00I do let the blogger know because I would want to ...I do let the blogger know because I would want to know myself but I don't keep bugging them about it. You make a good point about letting the blogger know for the sake of working with them again. <br /><br />I try to end all giveaways on a Saturday so I can announce everyone at the same time on a Sunday. I love how Rafflecopter announces the winner though. My winners always contact me right away but I feel bad for people who would still like to know who won.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.com