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Blog giveaways are EVERYWHERE these days.
Just check out Prizey.net and you’ll get a small taste of all of the outstanding contests taking place around the blogosphere. You can enter to win laptops and lipstick, cameras and cupcakes, shoes and strollers, toys and tools.
In most cases, the rules are pretty simple – submit a relevant comment and your e-mail address will be added to the pot of potential winners.
I enter blog giveaways often – at least a few times a week (minimum). I have 3 reasons for doing so (winning prizes is only a small factor).
Here they are – from my most important reason to least important reason:
1. Your entry will support a blogger.
Hosting a giveaway is a lot of work.
Bloggers have to:
• Make contact with companies (or respond to inquiries).
• Write something clever, entertaining, and informative.
• Take photographs or gather corresponding images.
• Create a contest entry system and write the rules.
• Select a winner.
• Contact the winner.
• Ship the prize or provide the company with a winner’s mailing address.
Entering a blog giveaway is kind of like patting a blogger on the back or giving a friendly hug and saying, “You know what? I appreciate you. I’m so glad you’re part of the blogosphere.”
If you like a blogger and you think she is a pretty outstanding, brilliant, beautiful person – then enter her giveaways. Think of your entry as a little “vote” for her success.
2. You can influence companies.
In almost every case, when you see a blogger hosting a giveaway, there’s a good chance that there is a brand or PR agency behind the contest. AND you better bet your bottom dollar that the company is reading the comments on the post – gathering insights, having discussions, and making decisions based on what YOU say.
The power that you have as a contest entrant is actually quite substantial. So, if you have something to say, say it. The Powers-That-Be *will* be reading.
3. You might win something.
Oh, right. You like to actually win prizes. Well, I have good news for you. Blog giveaways are THE way to go if you want to win because most contests end up with under a thousand entries. In many cases, contests will only have 20 or 50 or 100 entries…so your chances are pretty incredible.
As a matter of fact, I just won a giveaway today! I won a gift basket from Lansinoh in honor of their 25th Anniversary and it should arrive soon.
Now, it’s your turn! Get out there and win something FABULOUS.
DO YOU ENTER BLOG GIVEAWAYS? HAVE YOU EVER WON?
Stephanie Sheaffer is the founder of Metropolitan Mama, a blog for moms and moms-to-be. She is also the author of a new ebook, entitled “Bloggertunity: A Mom’s Guide to Blogging.”
Stephanie resides with her handsome, heroic husband and her two gorgeous little girls in Amazing Arizona.
Erin says
I love posting giveaways on my blog. I meet a lot of great people.
My giveaways are at http://wordsfromabusysahm.com/category/giveaways/
Madeline says
I enter giveaways frequently. Sometimes just to support a blogger, and often because I’d like to try what’s being given away. However, I’ve never considered that companies would be reading the comments. That might just change the way I comment on occasion.
And, yeah, I actually win fairly regularly. It’s always a nice little surprise.
StephanieS says
Thanks to everyone for your enthusiastic comments! You guys rock. The blogosphere is such a wonderfully inspiring place to be.
NGS says
Yes, I just won an electronic reader through a blog giveaway! It’s really a great way to win stuff AND get your voice heard by those companies. I’ve won stuff through Stephanie’s blog, so I know it happens!!
JeanineE says
So funny! I’ve been entering blog contests a bit less diligently than some, like 5 or so a week, but after over 2 years of entering, have yet to win one. Now I feel like my luck must be readying for its turn in the cycle, so I’m getting so selective about which ones I enter. But, 2 years with no wins yet. Geesh. Glad to see that the contests really do reap prizes for people though. I’ll keep entering since it’s rather entertaining, and it’s nice to know that the bloggers themselves appreciate it too. THanks for blogging!
Mary says
I *never* win anything, but I often comment on giveaway blogs if I feel I have something useful to contribute to the discussion precisely in supporting companies will read them.
Despite my non-winning ways I did actually win a couple of books (from you!) recently which was totally unexpected and super exciting 😉
Rebecca says
I’ve been on both sides of this. I enter a lot of giveaways to support fellow bloggers and for the hopes of winning some great products (I haven’t won a thing yet). And yes, it is a lot of work to put together these giveaways – I hosted a giveaway a day at Urban Sherp and it has been amazing. Love giving our audience a chance to win and supporting companies and products that I believe in.
clenna in NH says
I love giveaways! I love getting surprises in the mail.
I also like to read about new products. Sometimes I go out and buy them because they are so good. The blogs with tips are great too.
Angie says
I enter ALOT and I win ALOT. It’s fun and I love the blogs I enter on, so I agree it’s supporting the blogger! I’m going to share this post on Facebook!
Adventures In Babywearing says
Steph, great post! I haven’t entered many giveaways but do try to enter those that I see are something I could use. And I won something recently, too, from @sarasophia!! Can’t wait for it to come!
Steph
hollowsins says
I enter daily and win at least one a week so far. I even won the Land of Nod giveaway on 5 minutes for moms christmas giveaway recently -beautiful hand painted ornaments and a childs real sewing machine. I have also done a couple of giveaways on my own blog and hope to do more soon.I do read the other posts, I subscribe to every site I enter on so that I can see all the neat things they post besides giveaways and participate in some of the weekly posts like Aloha friday and B^t*h and Moan
joanny says
I love the giveaways– although I have never won anything — it seems my favorite blogs when they have a give away — people who never leave comments and are not real followers in the sense they only respond when there is a give away or are trolling and wind up entering the give away — where there were only 20 to 30 people who follow along and contribute daily with comments and all — then there is well over 100 or more entering just to win something. It makes it much harder to win. It is nice nice though that fellow blogger’s are willing to do the give aways.
Joanny
Kristie says
I think the giveaways are fun! I even won something once. I also participate in them by doing the giving from my company!
Jen says
I love the giveaways! I’ve never won but it’s fun entering. I have found lots of interesting blogs that way and I am interested in doing them on my blogs too so it’s giving me ideas also! Great post. Thanks.
2 Toddlers and Me says
I do enter giveaways too. It’s amazing what’s out there. I find it very interesting that you said the companies pour over the comments. It’s great that they really want our opinions. I will have to make sure I write eloquently from now on!
Shelly says
I do enter giveaways, and I’ve won a few times. In fact, I have a $50 Target gift card sitting on my desk right now! I just got it in the mail this week.
se7en says
I love doing giveaways and I love thing of ways for my 3 year old to pick out the winner…
I don’t enter so many because they mostly say : Must be a US Resident (Gnashing of teeth)… but I have won a couple of giveaways over in the states and then I just redirect my winnings to friends over there that would never get a gift form me otherwise – it is a lovely surprise!!!
My GiveAway for this week closes tonight:
http://www.se7en.org.za/2009/12/14/sunday-snippet-top-tips-giveaway
kimberly h says
During the holiday giveways I entered ALOT!100’S.My DH lost his job and I just had major surgery.I figured it might help..I typed till my fingers bled,literally ,my laptop is missng it’s typepad so i type on metl with meta;sticking up.
I won a stages toothbrush pckge.hey thats a stocking stuffer nd im appreciative of anythingto make my sons christms better.
oh and some letters re harder to type so ignore typos
CaroleM says
I love entering giveaways. I usually win something every 2-3 weeks. And even the “small” things are a thrill – like make up or something like that. And I also find that the blogs I follow I really do end up getting to know the blogger, caring for them, in some cases corresponding with them on a friendly basis – which is a total added benefit. Bloggers like to know you’re there for more than the giveaways.
The Pursuit of Mommyness says
Awesome post! The timing couldn’t be better as I’m trying to get the word out for the Diaper Clutch GIVEAWAY at POM!
And yes, it’s a lot of work but the prizes are pretty incredible…free, adorable diaper clutch, anyone?
Judy J says
Blogs are a new avenue of education in my estimation. I learn about new products, organization, parenting skills, how to save money, and so many other things. To have an opportunity to win something is icing on the cake. Thank you for giving us opportunities to do so.
Carrie, Reading to Know says
GREAT post! It’s true – it supports the blogger you love and that’s a good enough reason. Most of the time I just enter contest to support the blogger.
Anyway, great points! Thanks for your honesty!
Jessica Jones says
Thanks for writing this! I am new to blogging and feel live I have blog etiquit down pretty well but I had pretty much avoided giveaways…now I won’t thanks!
Lolli says
It really is a lot of work to host a giveaway. And I am running one right now that isn’t getting any entries. So frustrating!
On the other hand, I love entering giveaways, but it can be a real time-sucker. 🙂
http://betterinbulk.net/2009/12/last-minute-holiday-gift.html
Casual Friday Every Day says
I do enter them but only the ones I really ant to win. If I won one that I didn’t care for I’d feel bad for taking it away from someone who’d love the item.
Nell
Luv2CUSmile says
Oh this is a great Blog here! & Yes, I have started entering giveaways! I haven’t won any yet and I am entering every chance I get! I started entering the giveaways when I started researching starting a Blog. I found some Blogs (I wanted to check out how other people had theirs set up) and on one that was fairly new she had a giveaway posted. It just happened to be an item I have been wanting for a long time but haven’t been able to justify buying (it’s expensive in my world)But once having it I know it will save us money! I entered! I was excited! I saw others… entered. & yeah I have come across many on items I can not use or am not interested in so I try not to enter so someone else gets a chance. I found another Blog that is fairly new, she has been Blogging about 4 mos and has done about 7 giveaways. I entered hers and make sure to check her blog quite often. Of all the entries I have done, I still have not won but I am waiting and we will see. It would be great because we are both recently unemployed and this year will be great if I can win a few gifts for the kids. All in all I have found some great Blogs and am learning (slowly) how to get started w/ a Blog. At times I have become overwhelmed by what I have seen some Bloggers seem to keep up with (as you all do with multiple Blogs). I admire all bloggers for that. This article is great! I didn’t think when I start my blog that I would do reviews and giveaways but now I really want to. It seems so fun & it must feel so good to congratulate people & share!
Ann says
I heart giveaway! I also heart hosting giveaways!
I’m giving away a Hamilton Beach 3 cup chopper right now…come on over! 😀
Heather says
Giveaways are so much fun, but I try to only enter giveaways where I can use the product. I’ve actually found a good number of great blogs through their giveaways, so I try to make sure I take the time to check out the blog while I’m entering the giveaway. 🙂
Selene M. says
Yes, I enter blog giveaways and have won quite a few. One of the first ones I entered was for a printer and I won it, so that got me hooked. So far this month I’ve entered over 140 giveaways, and that is only the tip of the iceberg at what’s available ‘out there’.
Carrie says
I agree, they’re so addicting- but I’ve won a ton of great things, probably several thousand dollars worth in the last two years. Now that I’m review blogging, I enter less, but I still try to on occasion! And I love it when people enter my giveaways!
Thena says
I enter giveaways, have won a few books, a DVD and some candle votives. But never anything big. I just completed hosting 12 Days of Christmas giveaways all from various Etsy stores.
ReggieMann says
I enter a lot and I actually win quite a few. In fact, I won the Metropolitan Mama Custom Birthday Shirt giveaway 😉
Thank you 🙂
pixie13 says
I love blogs & entering blog giveaways. I’ve found a bunch of things I never would have heard of if not for blogs. And I win fairly frequently, too, so there’s that bonus 🙂
So Thanks to all the bloggers for their hard work on reviews & giveaways!
Tarasview says
well said! I enter giveaways, I host giveaways, and yes I even WIN giveaways! Love em.
Adrienne says
I love seeing blogs that have giveaways. I do enter quite a few giveaways but have never won any.
Angie says
My FT job isn’t as FT as they think so I have some extra time to go online, read blogs and enter contests. So far, I have only won a single item, a diaper sprayer, but it was soemthing that we really needed. I need to enter more contests. My son isn’t getting any younger so he will want more and more stuff and we will need more and more stuff.
Long Live Bloggers, Reviews and Giveaways!!!
Amy says
You bet I do! I don’t know the ratio of won/lost, but I’ve actually won probably 20 or so different items in the last year and a half. Yay!
Hannah says
I enjoy entering giveaways too. I think I first started entering a few giveaways in late September and have won 7 items so far. I always love to surprise my family with things I’ve won. One thing that I find rather amusing about entering these giveaways, is that if I forget about them, I win. If I remember, I don’t win. Crazy! When I enter giveaways, I always try to thank the blogger for the giveaway and for their time. It’s a good thing to remember to do, especially with all the time they have to spend setting up these giveaways and reviews.
Misty Dawn says
I LOVE entering blog giveaways! It’s so much fun.
I never win though… but I figure if I keep entering, I’ll win something someday 😉
Krista says
I have won a lot of stuff from blog giveaways. Not anything big yet, but some of it is stuff I use all the time! (the belly band has been a life saver and I probably wouldn’t have bought one myself!)
I try to only enter for things that I think will be useful to me so other people can have things they will like.
Emily says
I love blog giveaways! I think it’s fun to learn about new products and hear reviews from real moms about products I might need to buy! Plus, winning is fun. And it’s money-saving! If you win something, it’s another thing you don’t have to pay for out of pocket. 😀
I’ve had extremely good luck this year winning from blogs! *knock on wood* From gift cards to travel cribs and high chairs- and lots in between. 😀
jakell m says
the only problem is they are SOOO addicting. I enter and enter and enter…too much LOL I win something at least every 2 weeks..usually not the big items I’d really hope for though 🙁 but its still fun. Got my mom hooked now she enters as much as me and has yet to win in the last 3 months 🙁 I started in prob august and love it!
Nicole says
I recently won a hand knitted hat through a blog giveaway! This was just a week or two ago and I’m still waiting to receive it. I can’t wait! It inspired me to start my own blog giveaway which is currently active (www.nicolebergman.com)
jerrica puckett says
Oh yes. I love giveaways. And like you, it isn’t just because of the prize. I try to comment on blogs that I follow frequently, not just on the giveaways – allow them to know I pay attention and stuff.
I’ve won multiple things from giveaways: gift cards (4 that were $25 and one that was $100!), fudge, toys, coupons.. very much! Even now, I’m awaiting FOUR packages that will come due to winning on blogger.
Thank you to all Bloggers that take the time to make giveaways! I appreciate it very much!!
🙂