[robinhood12]

Hi
I began hosting giveaways because they sounded like fun. I get to connect with these hip professionals known as PR from the comfort of my own home all the while learning about new products. I’ve always been an enthusiastic consumer (ask me about the mix tape of me singing commercials when I was five), and I take a genuine interest in learning about what will soon be on store shelves and in the homes of all of my friends. There’s also a lot of joy in sending an email that begins with “You Won!!” But yes…giveaways take a lot of time from communications with those PR hipsters to posting the details of the contest to following up with the winners….then back to the communications with vendors. So why, oh, why do it?

1. You’re rewarding your readers – Let’s face it. We all write some gems from time to time, some of us more frequently than others, but not every post is fit to be framed. It’s a nice gesture to offer loyal readers a fun giveaway from time to time to say thanks for reading….here, have a free year’s supply of bread!
2. You’re courting new readers – Many of my now loyal readers (thank you, loyal readers) first found me because a giveaway of mine was featured here, there, or somewhere. I’ve received many emails that say they came to enter a contest and got lost reading post after post about Walt Disney World. Like I always say, come for the contest, stay for the content…
3. You’re building relationships with potential clients – “I scratch your back, you scratch mine,” “Dance with the one who brought ya’,” “Never stick your tongue to a cold pole” – Okay, so that last one doesn’t fit, but you get the idea. Some of my most frequent and favorite clients first contacted me to host small giveaways. When they needed a blogger for a paid opportunity, they thought of me. I’m not about to say that every giveaway I’ve hosted has led to paid work, but certainly enough to make the point worth making.


Thanks