Tag: blog

How to Run an Effective Blog Contest

I love blog contests. Because I like free stuff. That’s human nature. Lately, though, bloggers are making their readers jump through more and more hoops in order to ENTER their contests. I’m not even talking about winning. Some contests are asking people to follow the blog, tweet about the contest, blog about the contest, and comment about the contest. Add up your points for doing any combination of those actions, go back to the blog with the contest to report your points, and THEN you are entered. As someone who’s  worked in marketing generally, and promotions specifically, for the last seven years, this is simply bad marketing. Here are a few tips to help you plan your next blog contest.

The basics of promotion

Consumers want to know (1) what do I get and (2) how do I get it. It’s an easy formula to follow. When you are planning a blog contest, keep this in mind in all your communications about the contest.

Objective

Why are you having a contest? Is your objective to gain more followers, market a new book, or get more hits on your site? When you are doing any kind of promotion, you need to have a clear understanding of your objective. Otherwise, how will you measure success?

Know your audience

Who are you trying to reach? Make sure your prize is something they will really want, and target your communications to them.

KISS

I can’t stress this enough. Keep it simple, seriously. (I added the seriously.) Don’t make people work too hard to enter your contest. I’ve run many national sweeps and contests for blue chip clients over the years. The more barriers you have to entry, the lower number of entrants you will have. Think about your objective. Are you trying to get more followers? Then have people follow you to enter. Are you trying to market your book? Then have people tweet or blog about your book to enter. BUT don’t make them do all of those steps. That’s like throwing paint at the wall and hoping it sticks.

Timing

Every contest should list entry deadlines and a date that you will post the winners. Follow through by getting back to your winners in a timely manner.

Prize

Your prize should be relevant to your audience. Be clear about what the prize is (remember consumers want to know what they get), and set up any restrictions upfront. If you are giving away books, are you willing to pay shipping costs to send them overseas?

Promote the Contest

Nobody will know you are having a contest unless you promote it. Tweet about it. Link to it. Ask your friends to help you spread the word about it. If your contest is open for 15 days, don’t tweet about it once on day one and expect people to care on day fifteen. You don’t want to be irritating, but you need to get the message out there consistently. One way to do this is to change up the message each time you talk about the contest. For example, talk about the prize in one tweet, and then talk about why you are having the contest in another. DON’T keep retweeting the same “Have you entered my contest yet?” tweet over and over. That’s a good way to lose followers.

Extra Credit

The best contests are ones that get people talking and excited. Many writers give away books. It’s the most basic promotion you can do, but it’s not that exciting unless it’s a LOT of books or an ARC. Think about a really cool prize you could give away, and remember it doesn’t have to be limited to your writing. I used to be a graphic designer, so I gave away a blog redesign once. Another time I wanted to up the followers to my blog in a short period of time, so I had an MFA Crash Course contest – I shared valuable tips from my MFA program and people “enrolled” (or followed my blog) to attend. Some of my agent mates band together to do an annual scavenger hunt. Try to think of a unique spin you can put on your contest.

Good luck!

Tweet, Tweet: A Writer’s Love Affair with Social Media

I work in marketing. Day in and day out, I live and breathe advertising, promotions, and social media. Many companies are weighing in on the benefit of using Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other online methods to spread the love about the products/services. I believe in the power of social media as a marketer. As a consumer, though, I didn’t want to be a lemming jumping on the latest bandwagon. Personally, I like to feel superior to the lemmings because I would never (gasp!) be on trend. That’s right. I’m original. (I say this in between talking on my totally unique, one-of-a-kind iphone in my leggings and boots. Nope. Nobody else in the world is doing that. And if you are, stop copying me.)

I have been known to mock people who spend their free time on forums (get some friends, losers). I blacklist anyone who seeds me a hug or Easter Egg Hunt via Facebook. And don’t get me started on those self-important people who tweet about getting a Diet Coke from McDonalds (we know you also got a large fries and a Big Mac. You’re not fooling anyone!).

And then, I finished my novel and twiddled my thumbs not knowing what to do next. Thankfully, I found a virtual community to help provide guidance. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the online masses converted me from an original I-turn-my-nose-up-at-following-trends to hi-my-name-is-Cory-can-I-join-your-club?. Insert mockery here.

1. I’m on Facebook – I still ferociously hate people who send me apps (you know who you are). Do not even think about asking me to play Farmville or Mafia Wars. I’m also not sure it’s the best idea in the world to reconnect with those who knew me as a cheerleader in high school. Still, it’s a great way to spread the news about your writing and befriend anyone who is willing to listen to find out Cory is: (a) sick, (b) tired, or (c) sick and tired of being asked to take a quiz because 6 of my other friends did.
2. I blog – What’s not to love? Insta-feedback on my writing via Teaser Tuesdays. Sharing what I’ve learned about craft with other writers through red marks my professors leave on my pages. WordPress stats that feed my obsessive need to know how many people are visiting me on a daily basis (love me, love me, love me!).
3. I read blogs – Reading the Teaser Tuesdays of other writers and their writing tips can only help my writing to grow. See? I’m at least a millimeter taller.
4. I chat on forums – Really, I abuse the other AWers with my version of humor. Amongst all the LOLs and Twilight jokes, we sometimes manage to offer each other encouragement and loving criticism.
5. I tweet – This one wasn’t even on my radar. Only needy, narcissistic people tweet. Lesson #87 of the week: I’m needy and narcissistic. Who knew? Personality disorders aside, I’ve also learned that agents, editors, and writers galore are out there offering invaluable tips on the world of publishing. Plus it’s another way to spread the abuse to my fellow AWers.

Please excuse me now while I update my FB status, check my blog stats, read the AWer blogs, wreak havoc in the forums, and then stalk my friends on Twitter.

*Runs off to make a tee emblazoned with “I’m an original @Lemming. Follow me.”*

BTW: If you just looked up that address on Twitter and it exists, it’s not me and you are probably one of those people who send me Facebook apps. Stop it. Seriously.