Comments on: About Giveaways

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:26:57 +0000

Hey Esther,

No worries at all…

I think that it is a great discussion and we’re very happy you started it. Now we know that the majority of our readers prefer single entry.

(We took a poll at http://www.5minutesformom.com/20588/quick-poll-do-you-want-extra-entries-in-giveaways/)

You know we think you’re fabulous too!

Talk soon,
Susan

By: katklaw777

katklaw777 — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:52:44 +0000

I am a busy Mama and of late spending way too much time on the computer.
I do not care for extra entries, I think they are a waste of time.
Everyone should get one entry, that keeps it fair and square.

There are so many wonderful blogs out there and I just do not have tome for them all
I say KEEP IT SIMPLE. Let me spend more time with my family. Thanks.

By: Quick Poll – Do You Want Extra Entries in Giveaways? – Mothers Day Sweepstake

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:58:36 +0000

[...] today, we published a post about changing back to our old policy of only one entry per giveaway. We made this decision after reading a post at ShePosts.com about it being illegal to offer extra [...]

By: Esther Crawford

Esther Crawford — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:09:01 +0000

Hey S&J – I hope I didn’t frame the post in a way where there was a definitive “yes, it’s illegal – or no, it’s not” because I’m not a lawyer. More than anything I thought it was an interesting discussion for the community to have openly because we don’t yet have ‘best practices’ surrounding things like giveaways. I think all of us in the community know that y’all are upstanding citizens around here – there’s no question about that at all. Whatever you decide – whether single or multiple entries – I think it’s great so many folks are stepping back and evaluating how best to raise the level of transparency across the board. And of course, I love 5MFM – you ladies are all fabulous!

By: Helena Lemon

Helena Lemon — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:15:00 +0000

Aren’t multiple entries optional most of the time? If so, then there is no pressure on any one person to enter multiple times if they don’t want to. I think that if someone really wants something in a giveaway, they should be able to have a chance to make multiple entries and work a little harder at getting what they want. And as for professional giveaway entrants, more power to them. If they want to get blogger butt, that’s their own perogative! It’s a free country! I definitely think it is up to the owner of the blog as to how many entry options they put up and how they attract readership and publicity! Maybe for the larger sites, it would be good to narrow down the entries so you’re not getting 1000′s of comments. Just makes it harder for you! Thanks for the interesting thought.

By: Quick Poll – Do You Want Extra Entries in Giveaways? – 5 Minutes For Mom

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:12:05 +0000

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 02:16:44 +0000

Thanks for responding… I read the links that you added… and all I have to say is… when did trying to give away a small item get so darn complicated?

My blog is small in comparison to yours… There is no way I would be able to hire someone to do it for me…. I agree with the one of hte previous commentors… if I wanted to give someone a gift I don’t need a giveaway to do it….

After reading everything… I don’t think offering extra entries is a problem… and for me at least… I state all the rules and who gets what right in the giveaway post… nonetheless after all this discussion… I’m not in the mindset to do another giveaway any time soon.

Thanks again for all the info … I appreciate it.

By: Janice

Janice — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:24:30 +0000

Yes Michelle – we agree! The thought of having to have a third party do the drawing is sad. We simply never imagined people cheating etc. But sadly it has happened recently and people have started this 3rd party talk.

Since we haveto hire someone to do our contest drawing and admin work because we don’t have enough time, we thought we should let people know so they don’t start wondering if we have ever rigged a contest.

And yes – the site is both of our full time job! And we have other contracted staff like our assistant Erica and more! And there is STILL so much more work that is left undone at the end of the day.

By: Janice

Janice — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:20:54 +0000

Interesting! Those are great points – thanks!

By: Janice

Janice — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:20:18 +0000

Thanks – good to know!

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:14:03 +0000

Thank you for explaining. As I said before I was simply making a guess.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:52:53 +0000

Thank you for doing this. I have now been persuaded in the other direction. Perhaps I’ll just wait until I have a larger audience before hosting another giveaway!

As to having a company do the drawing for me, I’m not sure. I don’t believe in rigging a giveaway. The fact is, if I want to give something away to a certain person, I don’t need a giveaway to do it! It is a shame that this can happen.

I suppose if giveaways become so complicated that my children can no longer pick a name out of a basket, then I might re-consider doing them altogether! Call me old-fashioned, (Okay, so I really AM) but that’s part of the fun!

Have a blessed week! You all really put a lot of work into this site! I’m not sure how you do it unless it’s your full-time job!

By: Janel C

Janel C — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:48:03 +0000

Thanks for the above articles. I have to say the first article about it being illegal doesn’t make sens to me at all! I enter instant win sweepstakes and they say no purchase necessary but they still require you to DO something.. whatever it is. And even if there is no purchase necessary for an intial entry at least half the instant win games will only let you get one free entry, or something like that. So COME ON! It doesn’t have to be EQUAL odds for everyone.. like the McDonalds game.. you either have to buy the sandwich/fries/drink or else pay for the stamp to enter! I just don’t think that article is defining it right at all.. just my thoughts.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:08:04 +0000

Hey, this post was great timing! Im going to list my VERY first review/giveaway tomorrow.

I really appreciate it when the giveaway is easy to enter. I rarely if ever go for the extra entries. Who has the time for all that??

By: Janice

Janice — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:02:22 +0000

Thanks Debra – it is great to know what you think.