Giveaways | How are they beneficial?

This is Part 2 in a series of… well.. how ever many posts I can come up with. You can read Part 1 here and Part 3 here.

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So, lets talk giveaways. Giveaways are great whether you are the host or the sponsor.

Last time we talked a little bit about ad sponsorship/buttons. If you’re just starting to offer ad space, and you’re having a hard time filling up the side of your blog, offering them in a giveaway is a great way to fill up some of those spots.

Hosting a giveaway is beneficial all the way around, you’re helping promote a fellow artist/blogger, you’re giving your readers something special for being a part of your blog, and you are getting some exposure to your blog. I want to make clear, that giveaways are not a way to attract readers, there is a difference between followers and readers. I mean, think about it, how many blogs have you followed to enter a giveaway, and then never returned to? But, exposure is good, because while every single person might not become a regular readers, there will be some that do.

If you’re a shop owner, giveaways can provide great exposure too. It’s important to remember though, when you are sponsoring a giveaway, the only thing that is promised is exposure. You can not expect to get sales out of it. No blogger can guarantee sales from a giveaway. Exposure is good though, because EXPOSURE = SALES! The more people that see your shop, the more likely you will sell an item. Someone might see your shop, and not need anything in it, but then they tell there friend about your shop, who tells there friend who tells there friend. OR The winner wears your item, gets several compliments and tells everyone where they can get one too. She just grew your business for you! Get it?  Exposure. It’s key to having a successful business! (I’ve sponsored a few giveaways in the past, I’ve had a few sales saying “I seen your shop on soandso’s blog months ago”.)

There are some bloggers that want to offer giveaways but do not have an Etsy shop (or any other shop). This is totally fine. Maybe you crochet a sweet hat, make super cute headbands for your daughter, repurpose tin cans into something spectacular, offer something that you’ve made, which you know people will want. I’ve even seen gift cards being offered, so offer  a $10 Starbucks card. The giveaway prize is really up to you and your host.

Hosting giveaways will get easier, the more your blog grows, the more likely people will start contacting you to do giveaways. Eventually, you’ll be turning down offers, one day the only giveaways you post on your blog will be by PAYING sponsors. =)

So in essence, Giveaways are a great way to gain exposure, both for the host and the sponsor! Exposure = sales and readers. Win, Win!

Promotion of your giveaway is key for it’s success. I enter all of my giveaways to EtsyGiveaways.

Just starting out and wondering how to get other bloggers or shop owners to sponsor a giveaway? Ask them. What’s the worse they can say… no? Oh well… move on to the next one. Some shop owners do not like it when bloggers ask them to sponsor a giveaway. (I’ve read so many rant threads on Etsy on this exact topic… It’s taken a lot for me not to chime in and tell them.. hey.. you obviously have the time and could use the  promotion.. since your sitting here ranting in a forum instead of filling orders that you don’t have! gah!!) They find it spammy. I’m not sure why, as it’s helping promote there shop, obviously they don’t want the publicity, their loss.
Remember that when you are searching for giveaway sponsors and sending your requests, to include how the giveaway will benefit the shop owner. It’s pretty rare to get a big shop to offer a giveaway to a new blogger with a small following. But, guess what? There are new shops starting on Etsy every day! They want the promotion. Newbies… STICK TOGETHER! Help promote each other. If you see a shop has 2,000 sales, they probably aren’t worried about promoting on a blog with a small following. But if a shop only has a few sales and has been open for months, they would probably jump at the opportunity for any type of exposure. Here is an example of a giveaway request here.

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Let’s talk a little bit about blog content now. Your blog will change over time. You may have a hard time actually finding your voice as a blogger, but eventually it will come out. Just keep writing and blogging, you will find your niche! Every blog is different, each has it’s own message. Find what you’re passionate about and like to tell other’s about, and eventually you’ll find your following. I can’t tell you what to write about, but I can tell you that good photographs will help you out tremendously. Everyone likes to look at pretty pictures. Big pretty photo’s. I use picnik to edit (or as some would say over edit) my photo’s to make them stand out a bit more. Remember, like I said in Part 1,  when you’re using photo’s that are not yours, give credit!
Come up with a schedule, this way readers know what they’re going to be reading when they come to your blog. There are tons of posts you can participate in like: Wordless Wednesday, What I Wore, Facts Friday, Thankful Thursday, Sunday Confessions (which I started.. and am self promoting.. haha. JOIN).. and tons more.
It’s ok to post about your daily life, but remember, you want to find a way for your readers to connect with you. If there is no hidden message in your post, then people will not feel drawn to it.
I’d also like to add that the font you use should be well considered. You want something easy to read. I used fun fonts for awhile. But then I read an article on how serif fonts are easier on the eyes to read, so I switched back to Times New Roman. Something about the little tags on the words help our eyes.

Part 3 will be about how Google Friend Connect is NOT your friend I’ll also talk a little bit about Social Networking and how to grow your readership. (It’s already written so be on the look out tomorrow!) Let me know if there are any other things you would like me to touch on or you’re wondering about.

Note: These are 100% my opinions. I’m no pro… just relaying my experience and knowledge. Take it as you will. hah.

# kristanlynn