Giveaway Feedback | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

Hello Friends…

I'm wondering if you'd provide some feedback on the giveaway I had recently… and here's why… I was surprised by the few number of entries. With over $200 in prizes, including $25 PayPal cash and a $25 in iTunes give card, an Online blogging class seat, etc., I thought it would generate more traffic.  In fact, there wasn't even much traffic from Yakezie friends. I only generated a few Facebook likes (only have 8 total) and only a couple Twitter follows.

I know some of you have had tremendous success…

So, I'm wondering… can you help me so I can do a more successful giveaway the next time (my 2nd time). Here's the link for your review: Giveaway.

Thanks!

Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter said:

Lack of promotion maybe. I am not sure. Sorry to hear it didn't go well.

 

I'm not sure if it went well or not… I suppose overall it did… it just didn't meet my expectations.  Perhaps my expectations aren't realistic?

As for promotion, I did regular Tweets (ever second day) and thought the twitter entry would generate more. I did a post, a yakezie post, and other such self-generated posts.  Not sure what else is good without "bugging" people?

Eric J. Nisall said:

I would say that maybe the prizes weren't as interesting to the readers as you may have thought.  Or maybe there wasn't enough promotion about the contest.  Did you submit it to Giveaways Are Sexy or any other contest/giveaway sites?  Did you tweet about it so that others would see and want to get in on it?  It would be hard to pinpoint exactly why it turned out the way it did, especially since I'm only doing my 1st one now.

 

Nope, didn't use Giveaways Are Sexy or other such sites… didn't even know they existed, so thanks… now I do. 

I got about 75 entries… no where near your 400+ when I checked just now… yet my prizes (incl. $25 cash like you) were more extensive?  I guess it has to do with the small network… and lack of word of mouth or something?

Eric J. Nisall said:

Just do a search for "giveaway websites" and you'll discover a bunch of sites that allow for the promotion of these events.

 

The reason I chose to give away cash was the fact that I know it's something that everyone wants, needs, and can use.  It's basically just trying to match your audience.  Sometimes, it's easier to just go simple.

Eric.. you're the man for posting this.. I had no clue stuff like this existed !!!

I've never run one and now that I see how much is involved, it makes me want to even less.  I guess that's just a lazy factor :)

But I also don't participate in too many of them either.  I did win one once and it was by commenting on a Wise Bread post that I had no idea was doubling as contest :)

MoneyIsTheRoot said:

First, make it easy for your contestants to enter.  Use Rafflecopter!  They are simple and easy, and quite effective I have found.  Second, find out what it is you want to accomplish….more FB likes, Twitter followers, email subscribers??  Then weight more entries towards which one it is.  Lastly, you need to promote in the right places.  Yakezie is great, but if you want a lot of outside participation, then websites like online-sweepstakes can really bring in a lot of traffic.

 

Thanks… I did use Rafflecopter… it was great.  I did all you said… except I knew nothing about the online sites the promote sweepstakes!  Thanks to Eric for this great info!

MoneyIsTheRoot said:

Sorry I didnt realize you used the service.

 

Yea online-sweepstakes can literally bring in hundreds of people within a two week giveaway.  The only other site Ive found to be effective is blog giveaway directory…less traffic, but ive had some good reader retention from their traffic.

 

Excellent Thanks!

Suba @ Wealth Informatics said:

I might be the minority here, so feel free to not take me seriously :)

 

I tried onlinesweepstakes and a lot of giveaway directories for my first giveaway. It generated 1000+ entires. BUT, if I am doing a giveaway again, I won't do the same thing. The reason being, these directory users are looking for free stuff, they will sign up for your newsletter/facebook/whatever, but they won't comment, check out your post or do anything. At least that is my experience. I have not seen them unsubscribe but they have never actually read my posts other than any giveaway post either.

 

People who have done giveaways and used these directories, is this just for my blog? You guys get a lot of repeat visitors (or any other interaction) from these users who signed up just for the promotion?

 

I wonder if you set up the entries to say: "Leave a comment on a recent blog post explaining the value you find in it and leave one question for follow up" or something of the sort if it would do what you're looking for?

MoneyIsTheRoot said:

First, make it easy for your contestants to enter.  Use Rafflecopter!  They are simple and easy, and quite effective I have found.  Second, find out what it is you want to accomplish….more FB likes, Twitter followers, email subscribers??  Then weight more entries towards which one it is.  Lastly, you need to promote in the right places.  Yakezie is great, but if you want a lot of outside participation, then websites like online-sweepstakes can really bring in a lot of traffic.

Justin's right. Try Online Sweepstakes. I know Justin uses that to great success, and so have I.