Anyone who focuses on a goal and sets it in motion is a winner, that’s who. The outcome doesn’t have to be successful: the important thing is that you gave it a shot.
One of my goals in the next two months is to run a contest. The plan: give away the three books in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency in both e-version and hopefully hardcover—“hopefully” because my formatter/designer is still MIA (hmm, wonder if that’s a sign).
This got me to thinking about contests and all that’s involved—and hey, what a great topic for a post!
Why run a contest? To attract new visitors/followers and boost traffic to your blog or site would be key reasons. To promote your business would be another. Whatever the reason, for the contest to be a “winner”, the prize(s) should be pertinent to your site. You want to attract contestants—followers—that are sure to [want to] stick with you over the long haul.
Given A Writer’s Grab-Bag is about writing and blogging (and the private eyes from The Triple Threat Investigation Agency), it’s a natural to have an e-book giveaway. For you, it could be something completely different. In fact, there’s nothing that says you have to give away something strictly dedicated to the focus or topic of your blog, but something relevant would make sense.
If you’d like to run a contest, consider what would work best for you. Give some thought to what you’re hoping to accomplish and set an objective. For me, I’d like to attract more followers—I’d be [very] happy with 50 new ones. And if I could sell a few e-books in the process, all the better.
You know, he more I think and type about it, the more I realize this might be two- or three-part post.
Running a Contest = Giving [something] Away
Running a Contest = What Type of Contest Should be Run
Running a Contest = How to Select the Winner(s)
<LOL> Just when you think something’s fairly straightforward, it isn’t. Good ol’ Mr. Murphy’s Law hits you smack-dab between the eyes.
Let’s look at some options as to what you might like to give away.
Books: yeah, I’ve got them on my brain, but maybe you’d like to offer books/e-books you’ve written . . . or provide ones related to your blog’s theme.
Gift Cards/Certificates: who doesn’t love them (I do, I do)? You can also offer the electronic (e) version.
Your Skills: while I don’t generally focus on my editing experience on this blog, if I were so inclined, I could offer free editing services for a select number of contest entrants. What might you offer?
Ca$h: who doesn’t love cash (I do, I do)? If you can afford it—and it doesn’t have to be a lot, by any means—give some away.
Products / Services from Another Company or Blogger: contact a blog or site that’s piqued your interest and/or is in line with yours. See if they might consider serving as a sponsor and/or providing you with a freebie to give away. In turn, perhaps you’d post a review or run a promotion for them.
How to announce the contest? Have a page (which is stationary) and not a post (which is always moving as a new one is posted). That said, however, also post about the contest. Place a link in your sidebar (or header). Share the contest—in simple, straightforward terms—on social media.
Lastly, when all is said and done, and the contest has ended, think of a way to cheer up the non-winners. Email them singularly maybe. Offer something to entice them to remain followers, like a guest post perhaps (imagination truly has no bounds).
Speaking of winning, I have a lottery ticket to check . . . so I’ll leave you with the notion of running a contest. Next post: a look at different types of contest ideas.
Here’s to a winning day, my friends.
The Writer's Grab-Bag 