Ahh giveaways. It’s one of the fun reasons to reading blogs, isn’t it? It’s like radio call-in competitions; you put in a comment and hopefully they’ll make you a winner. I used to enter a lot of competitions in magazines but I’ve never won any. When blog giveaways first came about, the chances of winning increased significantly because there weren’t a lot of readers entering giveaways. Now, it’s back to square one. Seriously, I almost never have any luck winning competitions! 😛
Running giveaways can be fun but it can also be a headache especially when you’re dealing with lots of regulations, absent winners, chasing for brand-sponsored prizes and so on. I’ve had my fair share of issues and they can be mighty hair-tearing. This begs the question: what’s my motivation for running giveaways? What’s yours?
To be honest, I enjoy running giveaways that I sponsor compared to if they’re sponsored by brands. It may cost me a lot more money but the control I have over the prizes, the fun of selecting the gifts and so on are worth it. It’s not that I don’t enjoy running giveaways with prizes provided by brands. Most if not all of them allow me to run the giveaways as I please and that’s a very good thing. Still, I find that being able to decide on the theme, choose the prizes, set the time frame, etc gives me a lot more control yet flexibility on the blog. Yes, I have an issue with control and letting go. 😛
Early on in my blogging days, my motivation for running giveaways on the blog was to gain more readers. It’s not a secret; heck, a lot of us do it to gain more traffic and readership. These days, it’s more to thank my readers for their support but I won’t deny that gaining readership and traffic is still part of my motivation every now and then. It’s a good way to attract people to your website by giving away prizes. I know I stumbled upon a lot of good blogs when I clicked on Twitter retweets to check out the competitions said blogs were running.
Lately I’ve been running a lot more competitions on my blog and I noticed something shocking: my readership wasn’t growing. In fact, my traffic was declining! I can’t 100% blame it on Google’s new algorithm although I’m mighty upset at how their algorithm is completely messing up with my traffic statistics. I’ll leave that rant for another day. Anyway, I’ve noticed that I’m not getting the usual traffic spikes that I do when I run giveaways on the blog. The numbers are actually dwindling. What’s going on?!
After sleepless nights of analysing the issue, I realised that the problem was actually running too many giveaways. Something that I thought I could use to draw readers in was driving them away. Here are a couple of reasons why:
- Running many competitions for local readers only in a row that are not open to international readers drive away the international readers. It makes a lot of sense because I do have a lot of international readers who would like to enter giveaways as well but as soon as they see one giveaway after another that they aren’t eligible for, they get fed up and leave. I know what it feels like when I see fabulous competitions in the US and UK that are only opened to local readers. $200 Sephora gift vouchers up for grabs? OMG that’s awesome! What? US residents only?? @#$^*!!
- Running too many giveaways in a period of time detracts from actual valuable content that readers are coming to my blog for. Readers come to the blog for my reviews, stories and so on that they (hopefully!) enjoy but then they see yet another giveaway. Worst of all, it could be another giveaway that they’re not eligible to enter (see #1).
When I finally realised the problems, it was a lightbulb moment. It forced me to review my editorial content for the blog more thoroughly and to decide if certain giveaways are worth running or not. Is it worth running a giveaway per post? Or is it better to run multi-prize giveways like Nikki from Styling You does? What’s the maximum number of giveaways I should run per month? How can I negotiate better for giveaways that my international readers would be eligible to enter as well? How can I create better, valuable content that integrates well with the giveaways?
There are plenty of lessons that I learned from running giveaways and if you faced the same issues that I did too, I hope these helped answer why your giveaways’ traffic may not be doing so well. On top of learning how to work with state regulations on running competitions on the blog, announcing prize winners and communicating with them more effectively, etc, I’ve also learned that too much a what I thought is a good thing may not necessarily be so.
What’s your motivation for running giveaways? Does your blog traffic increase when you run them? How about when you run too many in a period of time? Have you faced any problems when running giveaways?
Giveaways are a toughie. Yes, SOMETIMES it drives more traffic and readers to my blog…but then do I want new readers who may only be interested in entering competitions (yes, those serial compers!!!) – when I should be focusing on my current readers? And oh yay, X brand is offering to provide X product worth $$$ to giveaway on my blog…but then it sucks if my readers aren’t interested in this prize and only serial compers are! Also, sucks if I run my own giveaway with my own $ and instead of selecting a loyal reader, I choose a serial comper who has never read a post on my blog ever. And I long gave up the entry requirement of having to subscribe to my blog – because it was so disheartening to see them unsub after the giveaway ended.
Anyway…I am rambling…you always make me ramble in your comments Tine 😛 Because you get my old bloggie brain thinking too much 😛 XX
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My sentiments exactly. I used to ask people to subscribe to my blog/Facebook/Twitter/whatever in order to enter giveaways but I just can’t be arsed anymore. Why should I ask them to jump through hoops to enter my giveaways when I wouldn’t even bother entering other people’s giveaways if I’m expected to like this, tweet that, blog this, Instagram that and so on. Lesson learned, so no more jumping through hoops for giveaways unless the prize is worth a lot of money. In that case, then answering questions would be part of the criteria.
Having people unsubscribe after they realised they didn’t win the giveaways is disheartening. And then when the next giveaway is published, the same people subscribe again! 😛
PS: We’ll talk more about running giveaways the next time we meet. Let’s discuss strategies 😉
I run them as a thank you to my readers for their support. Generally, I only run giveaways (major ones) twice in a year. Yes, they bring readers out of the woodwork but I’ve realised, so that content that strikes a chord. Oh and they also bring in people who have never read your blog. Bah! I can understand why brand sponsored giveaways are limited by country. Their target is really only the customers within a country. So if it’s brand sponsored and they send out the prizes, I play by their rules. If I request for them to sponsor, I wait till I receive the product then run the giveaway and then it’s by my rules.
Truth to tell, I’m jaded. So I’m cutting back on giveaways because I don’t believe they really add value to a blog. I also don’t have the luxury of time anymore to get to the post office etc. Sure, a giveaway is a thank you to loyal readers, but so are little gifts that I’ve been sending out sporadically which I think the loyal ones appreciate far more than having to enter some contest or another and then never winning anything anyway.
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Yeah I know what you mean. I’m starting to get jaded about it too. Brands that provide prizes for giveaways, I usually request that they send the prizes out to minimise my out-of-pocket costs (especially when my giveaways aren’t sponsored). But if they send the prizes to me before I publish the giveaways, then I’ll open those giveaways to international readers as well.
I now prefer to send little gifts to loyal readers to show my appreciation for their support compared to running giveaways. Those are the sort of out-of-pocket costs I’m more than happy to bear.
Giveaways are always a tough one for me. Generally it HAS to be products I genuinely use & love, and working with brands I love – if brand sponsored. Double goes if I’m running it myself. I try not to run too many, as when I do run one I like to use it as a “thank you” to my current readers, not as an incentive to get more.
It’s all too bloody hard to be honest.
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My sentiments exactly. Running giveaways aren’t as easy as it looks, that’s what I learned over the years.
I run heaps of giveaways and to me it is and has always been my way of giving back to readers (serial compers aside!). I have never run a comp requesting for readers to subscribe to my blog though, personally it just screams bribing and is a turn off for me so I wouldn’t want my readers to feel the same way as I do.
While I am fortunate enough to have sponsors to help out with comp prizes, I am selective in what I offer these days and definitely try my best to gauge what works best for my readers by trial and error.
Love your pieces as always and I bet you were thinking of me whilst writing this post, this morning.
XXX
Haha I did have you in mind when I was writing this but I won’t say it was just you. I had some issues running the past few giveaways too and reception wasn’t as good as I expected. Even my traffic tanked.
Like you said, I have to be selective of what I want to give away now and not just run competitions willy nilly.
Giveaways… Yes. There are a lot that requires readers to subscribe and become follower and like their Facebook etc… Normally I would not be interested in such giveaways. I read a few interesting blogs ( yours, PB, Lily ChloeAsh…. ) daily so I don’t see the need to subscribe.
Other than the genuine giveaways to attract readers, is there such a thing as a fake giveaway? The question was posted and winners are announced later and required to provide address for delivery. But….. after that nothing happen, not even a reply in comment or email but the owner continues to post new posts which is super annoying. This had me thinking that it is a scam or ways to get information for who knows what purpose. Lesson learned : join giveaways from reputable blogs!!! ^_^
Hmm I haven’t heard of fake giveaways before but you do raise an interesting point to observe. It hasn’t crossed my mind that giveaways could be fake. I’ve heard of it happen the other way round though where winners claim not to have received the prize and insist that the blogger resend another one. A lot of nastiness, that one 🙁
I agree with you; best to join giveaways from reputable blogs. And I’m really glad you think mine’s interesting! 🙂
Yep I used to run the multi-prize giveaways and like Chel, I only run products I believe in. The thing with multi-prize is the work I have to put in to write about each product and brand. I don’t just copy what’s in the press release but it’s like many mini reviews in one post. It is a PAIN! I used to make it a condition to like, follow, tweet but now? Can’t be arsed. Just answer a question instead. From there I can also tell who my actual readers are and who the serial compers are. Having said that though, I have gain genuine readers who followed or subscribed via comps. It’s easy to get followers but the real work comes in afterwards. Your writing. If it’s in their interest then they’ll become your long time readers.
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I’ve given it a lot of thought about multi-prize giveaways and you do have a good point; it’s a lot of work writing about 10 items if there are 10 different prizes to giveaway. It works well for Nikki though, which is why it’s something I’m contemplating as well. Oh the stress of a blogger 😛
Agree with you; at the end of the day, it’s the actual content that keeps people on your blog, not fleeting giveaways. Those are the readers I’d love to have.
Well-written one. Honest and upfront.
I will comment first before answering your question.
I agree with you that too many giveaways will drive aways genuine readers, those who bookmark you and come back; those who make your blog sustainable.
I also prefer blogger’s personal giveaway over sponsored one because it is more sincere in that you know that thing is really good.
I got lucky a couple of times, my first time winning an fantastic natural gentle foaming gel from Viva Woman. It lasted me so long, and I feel like spa every time I use it. Too bad, it is not so affordable. And then I got yours too, which didn’t feel so much like competition, but lovely nonetheless =D
I only tried running a giveaway once. But it was a failure, imo. Maybe that’s why I haven’t try again. I guess it was part and part – to increase traffic, and to share something good with readers. Maybe the theme wasn’t too clear, and maybe it was made too easy, so the response was not good. Anyhow, I have stopped. Not sure what will make me try again.
I think I also got a little sad when the winner disappeared.
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Thanks Jyoan. I enjoy other bloggers’ personal giveaways too. There’s a lot of “heart” in the giveaway because they’ve put in the effort to source the prizes and plan the giveaway. That’s why I look forward to bloggers who post giveaways to celebrate blogaversaries because those celebrate milestones 🙂
If the absence of giveaways doesn’t make a difference to your traffic, then there’s no need for you to run any if you don’t want to. As for lack of response, that’s what I’ve been experiencing lately as well. I’m going to step back for a while and see what happens when I run the next one later and not sooner. Perhaps response will be much better after an absence 😛
Well, at least it is good to reward some of your old readers~
Oh most definitely. I’m more than happy to reward my old readers, which is why I run my giveaways 🙂
hey Tine..i also think that more giveaways mean not so loyal readers 🙁
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Yeah I know what you mean because it does attract a lot of serial compers 🙁
I haven’t done any give aways and not sure I would. I would feel bad if long standing subscribers didn’t get a shot at winning a prize if I start getting a bunch of new people subscribing just for a give away. Some how it doesn’t seem fair.
Monica.
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I know what you mean. I’d prefer my loyal readers to win too. Sigh.
Love this series 🙂
I’d like to run a giveaway but am not sure it’s the right time. My blog is new and I just finished my 50th post. I have some traffic but nowhere near what is considered a great amount; try 100 pageviews a day vs. the goal of 1000 pageviews a day. What do you think Tine? Thanks for your input!
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Thanks Barbara!
I saw that you ran a giveaway, yay! 33 entries is very good 🙂
Interesting topic! Well when I first read beauty blogs a few years ago, it was the giveaways that attracted me more. But then, I had a little conscience and pride perhaps…that I felt wrong to stalk blogs for giveaways rather than the content or subscribe to it. I took a step back and ask myself what is it that I look for in beauty blogs? Giveaways, honest reviews, content, personality? Furthermore, I knew that there are some objectives behind the giveaways to boost readership, fulfill sponsor brands obligation or purely thanks to the blogger’s generosity to celebrate her birthday, blog anniversary etc…and what are my odds of winning as opposed to a regular reader when the selection of winner happens? #thinktoomuch
However, thanks to the giveaways though I didn’t win any in the beginning…I eventually stick to a few blogs that I have been loyally reading to date. I have soon learnt that usually established blogs run by reliable bloggers are the ones that have great giveaways and not dodgy ones.
These days, I enter giveaways mostly in blogs that I stalk and sometimes random blogs that I follow on and off. But beyond that, I stick around because I like the blog and contents 🙂
Jennifer, if there’s a Like or a +1 to comments, I’d give yours a huge thumbs up and +100. Thanks for being so candid about your original reason for reading blogs. It’s only natural to be more attracted to the ones that give away great prizes; heck I’m guilty of that too!
I’m so glad you’re sticking around for good content. Fingers crossed that I (and the bloggers whose blogs you follow) will be able to continue delivering quality content 🙂 x