April 30th, 2011
We had a pretty big discussion a few weeks ago about blog contests. Some people like them, and some people don’t. Regardless of which side of the fence you’re on, I think you’ll find this blog post from MyLittleReviewCorner interesting:
http://mylittlereviewcorner.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/how-to-enter-blog-giveaways/
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17 Responses to How to Enter Blog Contests
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It’s about CHOICE, no one is obligated
to enter! WHOA!
You’re absolutely right – no one is obligated to enter anything. 🙂
This post was meant to help people that were interested in entering but weren’t sure how or what they needed to do to enter. That’s all.
Thank you. I found those contests too confusing to enter. I may try it once and see.
One should be very careful entering blog type contests. Some sites offer an array of lucrative prizes just to drive traffic to their blogs. Others may set up a fake site for the purposes of identity theft.
Unfortunately, some contest websites get sucked into posting and/or linking these blogs to their website honestly thinking that they are giving away such great prizes. Not knowing that they could be exposing their contesters to identity theft or that they are just being used as blog traffic drivers.
Well, Maggie, I honestly tried, but even with the instructions at hand, couldn’t figure it out. Guess not meant to enter these.
If some people don’t like them and some people don’t, sounds to me like no one likes them AD Man. I’m thinking YOU don’t like them!
@Milo – thanks for catching that…I’ve changed it to “some people like them and some don’t”. I can’t believe I didn’t notice that before now!
JM, I understand what you are saying and I think people do have to be careful. You should look at ANY SITE before making your decision to enter – not just blog sites.
Any website that offers a prize does so to raise brand awareness which comes from encouraging site traffic.
I do understand what you are saying – as someone who enjoys entering contests of all types, I look at the site with a critical eye before I enter anything.
Maggie,
In particular, I’m talking about new start up websites or new blogs that offer multiple lucrative prizes. TVs, computers, etc. These sites have little or no advertising on them, vague contact information, no BBB record, etc. I won’t get into the particular contest site, but there is one who posts links to all these traffic driver phoney contests. Lucrative prizes constantly keep appearing, but there is no winners or winners lists.
JM,
That makes sense. 🙂 Because you posted it here I wanted to clarify because I truly believe that most bloggers are legit. I think your comments are good ones to remember though whenever entering any type of contest.
Great post!
As another blogger who works hard to build relationships with both the companies are provide advertising to (via reviews and giveaways) and the people who visit my blog, I think it is great to have an open discussion like this.
I don’t believe that any brand new bloggers would get the opportunity to do a giveaway for something as large as a television. I have a decent readership and some good connections and while I have had some big giveaways, I had to work to get them and they are not frequent.
I would love to hear feedback from contesters on what would make entering blog contests easier.
If I see spam or questionable links to Viagra, etc. on a blog, I don’t enter the contest on that blog as it maybe hacked or prone to being hacked. A vigilant blog owner logs into their blog on a regular basis, deletes spam, etc. Some blog owners will sell your information for spamming purposes when you enter their contests, make sure you read their privacy policies first. I usually check the entire contest/sweepstakes section of a blog. Are the prizes too good to be true? When I click on expired contests, does it still let me enter? Does it show the winner? Is there a winners list?
Additionally, if you are entering contests without “private browsing” turned on. Your personal information is at risk and it could be hacked.
If you are using Facebook, look at your URL address (the very top box on your screen.) If you see “http:” instead of “https:” then you DO NOT have a secure session & it can be HACKED. Go to Account – Account Settings – Account Security – click Change. Check box (secure browsing), click Save. FB has automatically set it on the non-secure setting.
Plus, there is a FedEx, DHL, UPS unclaimed parcel or undeliverable notice going around by email. DO NOT open this email it is a VIRUS, you have not won a contest.
For an eyeopening experience one should google
phoney blogs, phoney sweepstakes, phoney contests, etc. If you look up the top scams sweepstakes & contests always make the list. Not all phoney sweepstakes involve telephone calls telling you have won the lottery and they need your bank account number and/or credit card number.
Contests are like buses, another one always comes along. If your not sure about a blog, website, etc. or have an uneasy feeling about a contest. Pass it by.
I’ve just tried my hand at entering these blog contests since I read the “how to”. I do have a concern though….the blogs that require you to put your e-mail in for everyone to see make me highly uncomfortable…so I’ve avoided those. Isn’t there a way for the blog owner to view your e-mail without the whole world doing so?
@Brandy: Good point – that’s one thing that really bothers me too. You should never have to leave your email in the comments like some of them ask you to. There are definitely other solutions to that problem, but I assume some blog owners haven’t bothered to look or don’t understand how to make the changes.
Hi Brandy!
That is a great point and you had pointed out something that I should clarify with my own giveaways.
I only need entrants to leave their email addresses when they say they’ve subscribed IF it is different than the email they are using when entering. That is only so I can if someone has won with an entry saying they subscribe that they actually have done so.
Thanks for pointing that out! I don’t ask for readers’ email addresses otherwise as I can see the email address you use when you enter and use that email to contact my winners.
I am confused there are so many for or against
@JM: Thanks for the FB tip. Did NOT know about http vs https. Changed setting!