Blog Contests

To do blog contests or not to do them really isn't the question you should be asking yourself as a blogger. Why you want to do them is. Most bloggers want to increase followers and that's okay but that should not be your sole reason for doing a contest. If that is one of your main reasons then you have to ask yourself why you want to increase your followers. It is because you want your blog to be more popular which in turn makes you more popular? Do you just want to increase readers to make your writer platform look better? If the answer to either of those questions is yes then you shouldn't do it. Don't throw stones yet, here me out.

The best reason to do blog contests is for your readers, not yourself. We all want to increase our readership and popularity and that's all right, it just shouldn't be the only reason. The goal should be reachable within a few months at the most (example, trying to increase by so many followers) and the prize should be tailored to your reader audience. Book bloggers that review books give away books, those that review movies give away movie tickets, and writers give away all manner of things that will help other writers. As a writer I like to do prizes that include inspiring or fantastic books I've read and books that help improve your writing.

You probably already guessed this was leading up to a contest mention didn't you? In case you haven't read about it yet, I just ran a contest. Once Heather's Odyssey reached 100 followers I would give away a copy of the fabulous book on writing called The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman. Many of my followers are writers and I wanted to do this contest for them. I loved this book so much that I feel like every writer should read it. Not to worry though, later in the year I'll be doing a giveaway for those of you who love to read a good story. Halfway through the year I'm going to pick my favorite book of the first six months of 2010 and give it away to one lucky follower. Not only do I like sharing the books I've enjoyed, I love supporting the authors! Since I've reached and passed 100 followers (thank you, much love to all of you) I will be doing the drawing this Friday! Be sure to stop by my link and leave a comment if you'd like to be entered.

Here are a few great blog contests I know of going on now:
http://thewritewords-lindsey.blogspot.com/2010/01/writer-goody-bag-giveaway-everything.html
http://amyholderbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/contest-contest-contest.html
To enter my contest before Friday click here and leave a comment:
http://heathermccorkle.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-cleaning-for-your-novel-contest.html
If you know of any great blog contests leave me a comment and I'll post a link!

Comments

  1. I haven't thought about running a contest on my blog yet. I'm not sure what kind I'd like to run. (My readership is pretty small anyway.)

    One kind of contest I have enjoyed in other people's blogs, though, is one without a specific prize - just fun participation. Like Miss Snark's blog, where people post the first fifty words of a novel, and then comment on each other.

    Anyway, thanks for the thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Author Amy Holder is holding a fun contest at her blog Written in Lipstick. She is giving away three Amazon gift certificates. Here's the link:
    http://amyholderbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/contest-contest-contest.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Darling Novelist, it's a great way to increase readership and generate excitement! I love Miss Snark's blog too, it's a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Alissa! I'll add the link and check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you Heather for mentioning my blog. I am about to sweeten the deal for my followers with an added item to my WRITER GOODY BAG.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good post, Heather. Food for thought. And, yey, you've gone over 100 followers!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I had a giveaway not too long ago. Why? Because they are fun! I think it's a great way to give back to one's blog readers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ooo, sweetening the deal eh Lindsey? I'll have to stop by and check it out again!

    Thanks Lorelei!

    So true Amanda, we can't forget the fun part of it all ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for checking out my contest and adding a link to this post!

    Sounds like you have a bunch of exciting contests coming up. I'll be sure to come back to check them out. :) Congrats on 100+ followers!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You're welcome Amy! Love you blog! Thanks for stopping by :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes, I am stubborn. That is why I haven't done a giveaway contest yet. I like your take on this. I think that's exactly what I've been waiting for - the right prize.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Its all about the right prize for your followers! Can't wait to see what you come up with Lisa!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You're right that the contests should be for the readers, not just shameless self promotion! :)

    Thanks for the contest links!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You're welcome Olleymae, you'll love Lindsey's blog!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments are like good friends, the more the merrier!

Popular posts from this blog

Twitter Tuesday~Writer Contest & Agent Advice

Movie Review: 47 Ronin

A New Novel and Call for Cover Reveal Participants