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I have been curious about the over-saturation of blog candy giveaways out there, and I was wondering if I am the only one that noticed this trend. Do you comment for blog candy?
I, personally, rarely enter for blog candy for two reasons: 1) I read blogs in Google reader and like to stay there in my own little bubble, and 2) i have horrible luck. haha!!
So do you enter??
__________________
{Gallery}{Blog}
I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
Once in a blue moon...I guess I feel awkward about it. I feel like my mom's looking over my shoulder, lol..."it's not polite to beg, Betsy!" For the most part, I feel like I have SO much STUFF as it is, that newer stampers probably need it more. A few times, though, the blog candy seemed attractive enough.
I do find myself holding back from posting sometimes, simply because there IS blog candy. Maybe I feel insincere in my comment, as if it appears that my comment is only in hopes of winning...
I voted 'rarely'. I don't seek out blog candy, but if I am going to comment anyway and they are giving it away...so be it. I don't win that stuff, either. No biggie.
I never enter for blog candy for a couple of reasons ....
It takes away the fun of showing your art work and becomes a frenzy of names that are only on that blog for one reason and thats the blog candy!
I also think a lot of people only offer blog candy to get more views.
I know what i am trying to get across but its all coming out wrong....sorry xx jo xx
I don't seek out blog candy, but if I read the blog regularly and like the prize, I'll comment. I figure why not, since I usually comment on the craft blogs in my Google Reader anyway.
Some people do have advertising and benefit monetarily from direct hits. Having spent years working in marketing as a writer/editor, I can't blame them for trying to drive hits with candy. But no one can make people comment if they don't want to, so it's all good.
Funny blog candy story. I've only won once, when Ali Manning gave away an SU hostess set Echoes of Happiness. Yey me! When I offered a very tiny give-away on my blog (just for fun to thank people for bothering to visit), I got 15 comments and had my son draw the names out of a hat. Ali won. My first thought was, "Everyone will think this was fixed!" My second thought was, "Her candy was WAY better than mine!" ;)
I rarely enter because I "never" win anything anyway........I like the idea of giving away little freebies though as a little thanks for visiting a blog.....I actually plan to do that when I reach a certain amount of hits on my blog..... JMO!
I have terrible luck at winning! Don't bring me to Vegas--I'd be your "bad" luck charm! I do enter blog candy giveaways but its only if I am currently reading the blog. I don't seek them out.
__________________ People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did.
But people will never forget how
you made them feel!
I very rarely will comment for blog candy. I don't follow any blogs so I feel that its not fair to the blogger if I am only visiting the blog to win something. Having said that, I have entered to win on blogs done by companies - not personal blogs, so I didn't feel bad about that.
I rarely enter also. I will if it is a blog I frequent and I am interested in what they are giving away. I don't enter the blogs they want you to subscribe or be a follower.
I recently gave blog candy, not for the hits, just simply a small way of saying thanks to them for stopping by my blog and letting them know how much I appreciate it! I asked them to leave a comment only so I could pick a winner!
i remember blog candy was huge when it was first popped up, and hundreds of people would enter, now not so much..
i've also given some prizes away in the past (not for more readership but as a celebration of a big number like 50,000 hits or something) and I never got big responses.. i'm not famous like some people so my daily readership isn't huge, but i've been wondering why more people didn't enter, and this makes sense..
so... should i/people keep giving away blog candy, or is it kind of "done" for lack of a better word?
__________________
{Gallery}{Blog}
I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
I commented on a Mother's Day vintage card post on craftysecrets.com's blog and actually won $60 worth of free stuff plus free shipping. There were so many great products to choose from that I spent another $30 on a separate order just to get all the stuff I couldn't get with the $60! Needless to say, I was tickled pink (and shocked!).
i remember blog candy was huge when it was first popped up, and hundreds of people would enter, now not so much..
i've also given some prizes away in the past (not for more readership but as a celebration of a big number like 50,000 hits or something) and I never got big responses.. i'm not famous like some people so my daily readership isn't huge, but i've been wondering why more people didn't enter, and this makes sense..
so... should i/people keep giving away blog candy, or is it kind of "done" for lack of a better word?
Tobi, you should only do it if you want to do it. That's why I do it. Just 'cause I want to. For no other reason at all. I really enjoy it. If I get 1100 comments or I get 10, I do it because it's fun for me.
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
I almost never enter. I voted rarely because there are the odd times when a giveaway really appeals to me (like when Pioneer Woman is giving away a green stand mixer), but it's not something I go out of my way to do. I also use Google Reader and I like that I can just open one window to read the new posts on all of the blogs I follow at one time.
Tobi, you should only do it if you want to do it. That's why I do it. Just 'cause I want to. For no other reason at all. I really enjoy it. If I get 1100 comments or I get 10, I do it because it's fun for me.
that's true. i guess if i WANT to give away stuff, and i ENJOY it, i will do it, but it also seems that some people actually feel bad entering, so i don't know..
i sometimes feel bad that i don't give back to my readers enough.. is there another way to thank them for coming back without giving away stuff??
__________________
{Gallery}{Blog}
I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
I voted rarely. I usually only enter if a) the candy is offered when I am and b) since I don't personally have a blog, if the blog site will let me enter. And since I am somewhat computer illiterate, I'm pretty lucky I can surf the blogs I do!! ;) And that's ok with me!! I really just look at blogs for the great inspiration, not because they give something away.
jennik
that's true. i guess if i WANT to give away stuff, and i ENJOY it, i will do it, but it also seems that some people actually feel bad entering, so i don't know..
i sometimes feel bad that i don't give back to my readers enough.. is there another way to thank them for coming back without giving away stuff??
I think it's nice that people use blog candy to say thank you for coming to their blogs but on the flip side, when they are providing inspiration or information for free on their blogs, that is a gift in and of itself. It doesn't have to be blog candy.
When I visit your blog and see a beautiful project, I should thank you! LOL!
I personally never want anyone to feel bad entering a blog candy contest on my blog. I wouldn't put it out there if I didn't want to give it away.
Blog candy is a total choice, to offer it, to enter to win it or to choose to have nothing to do with it. To each their own. LOL!
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
that's true. i guess if i WANT to give away stuff, and i ENJOY it, i will do it, but it also seems that some people actually feel bad entering, so i don't know..
i sometimes feel bad that i don't give back to my readers enough.. is there another way to thank them for coming back without giving away stuff??
I wouldn't feel bad about *giving back to your readers* - they wouldn't keep coming if they didn't just enjoy reading your blog, after all. The enjoyment I get from reading blogs is enough for me, otherwise I just unsubscribe them. I ticked the *rarely* option, but if I could have ticked two, I'd also have gone for the *if I like the candy* one. There are blogs I do regularly comment on, but if the giveaway is something that's not my taste and style, then I actually don't leave comments - just in case I won!
I've composed two replies on this thread already and then not posted either of them, but this time I'll take the plunge!
I just did blog candy because I wanted to give something away. I am so blessed with so many supplies, why not be able to share? And I am also just trying to say a little bit of thanks to all the people who visit and do leave comments. They are really appreciated and I want them to know that. I will continue giving candy away because I enjoy it.
One thing I have been doing, is asking people to answer a question to enter. Its fun to read their answers and learn a little bit about them. Makes it a little more fun for everyone.
I don't really go to blogs regularly - only if I am in the mood and I don't get loads of hits on my blog so I haven't given either... I guess I'm a bad blogger but I only started it as a way of sharing what I was doing with some of my friends that I don't get to see - to me it like sharing my brag book but I don't have to carry it with me!
So that said - I have only rarely entered because I don't want the hassle of having to check back if I won, most of the blog candy I have seen post the winner but don't contact them.
I usually only if it's a blog I read regularly AND if it's something I like and don't already have. It kind of irks me when people stumble upon blog candy, comment, and then don't come back to claim the prize!
I see nothing wrong with blog candy. It's a great marketing tool for companies. I do occasionally enter blog candies if it is a blog I already read and something I am interested in and would like to use. I recently won a JustRite stamper blog candy from one of their design team members. I have never used JustRite products before. After using it, I purchased some of their other stuff. That blog candy made money for the company just because one of their design team member's gave something away. It's a great tool for getting products into the hands of those interested in the products.
I also see it as a way of saying thank you for the supporters who read and comment on my blog. I appreciate my blog readers so much! They are so supportive! I like to reward my regular readers and commenters so I let them enter their name into the hat twice if they have commented in the last month. (Typepad also lets you see how many times someone has commented so it's easy to check, too, if you want to.) I figure that is one way of rewarding them for letting me know what they think. Blog candy often brings out some of the people I didn't even know read my blog.
I never enter because they usually ask for a friend's Email address and I refuse to give another person's Email address.
i've never heard of this.. are we talking about the same thing? i'm talking about blogs that give away something for commenting on a post. i've NEVER seen someone ask for someone else's email.
__________________
{Gallery}{Blog}
I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
I quite often 'bite' - and have been lucky enough to win a couple of times. I don't have a very big budget for stamping so if someone is kind enough to offer it as candy, then why not! I only try for stuff that I think I'll use, and if there's something in the stash that's not for me then I pass it on to my other crafty mates.
I rarely enter, and if ever I did, it's only a blog that I read and comment on regularly. I'd feel guilty, otherwise. Like you, I mostly read and stay within Google Reader
I have to say I''m the odd one out here because I frequently have commented on blog candy and also added the info to my blog if I'm interested in what is being given away. I sincerely appreciate people's generosity since I'm a newbie and overwhelmed in the supplies of scrapping/card making. I enjoy finding new blogs to read and add to my blog to read when they are updated.
I sometimes enter purposely if there is candy I find appealing, but usually I am there only to comment on projects.
On the flip-side...when I offer candy, it isn't to drive people to my blog. I usually offer duplicate items or things I don't think I will be in need of, as a thank you to people who visit.
Once in a blue moon...I guess I feel awkward about it. I feel like my mom's looking over my shoulder, lol..."it's not polite to beg, Betsy!" For the most part, I feel like I have SO much STUFF as it is, that newer stampers probably need it more. A few times, though, the blog candy seemed attractive enough.
I do find myself holding back from posting sometimes, simply because there IS blog candy. Maybe I feel insincere in my comment, as if it appears that my comment is only in hopes of winning...
I feel that way too! I have too much and others may really want the goodie. But, on the few times i've posted on a blog candy post i've asked to not be included in the drawing. I would post because the project was cool or post was funny or something.
I sometimes enter purposely if there is candy I find appealing, but usually I am there only to comment on projects.
On the flip-side...when I offer candy, it isn't to drive people to my blog. I usually offer duplicate items or things I don't think I will be in need of, as a thank you to people who visit.
I'm the same.... I'll comment if I would have commented anyway. Rarely will I sign up to be a follower or list it on my on blog. I also always feel hypocritical if I comment on a candy when I don't read the blog regularly.
I haven't offered candy yet, but plan to soon. To me, candy is a way to saying thank you to loyal readers or to folks who enter a challenge. Also, I have to say, I've had so much fun gathering together things for a prize that it's worth it for that alone!
__________________ Anjou My Gallery * My Blog - Dreaming in Color "Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so." - Belva Davis
Blog Candy: Do you bite?
