Have any of you read the book/seen the movie The Prizewinner of Defiance Ohio? I read it a few years ago. It is a memoir a woman wrote about her mother. During the 1950's her father was an alcoholic and rarely held a job, so her mom entered in every contest, sweepstake, and box top collection imaginable. There were tons through radio stations, magazines, mail etc. The winnings kept the family fed and clothed for years. I don't remember a lot of the details, but I know she'd win a year or soup or something crazy. Anyways, it is a quick read that has some funny points that can make you kind of nostalgic for all these crazy contests...
Well, fast forward to 2009 and the era of blog giveaways! I don't know how long this phenomenon has been going on, but I think there are thousands of women out there that would give the prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio a run for her money! There are scores of blogs out there that review and feature all kinds of products: homemade, large store brands, loads of baby stuff, tons of home decor, even appliances. It all depends on what blogs you find, and they can lead you to others. I've seen a few over my 2 years of blogging, but didn't want to get addicted to it. For one, I have never played the lottery. I know the stats. Put all those $1 bills in my 401K, thank you. But in these contests I have pretty good chances. It seems like some women must spend all day entering giveaways. I click on one and find another and then another, till I realize it is midnight, the diapers need to go into the dryer, I have a day full of meetings the next day and I've entered a ton of contests with just useless stuff. So I'm limiting myself to the following rules:
1. It is something I really want/need. (amazing black boots that are way out of my price range? check!, an $800 stroller with accessories? really, I did enter this one yesterday, check!, a new blow dryer? nah, mine works fine)
2. Only enter 5 a day--this will limit that whole addictive thing where I waste my life on trying to score free stuff.
3. Don't do all the entry requirements unless it is really worth it. This is another time thing. Some blogs only require a comment saying "I like this. Here's my email" But if you want multiple entries you can do all sorts of things, tweet, join facebook fan pages, blog about a giveaway, buy something from the vendor (that always gets you a gazillion points). As a marketer I understand this. You want to keep these warm prospects listening to your sales pitch as long as you can, but it's a lot to ask when all you are giving away is a $20 pair of booties, you know?
Well, anyways, I'll let you know if I win anything fun and exciting. Anyone else addicted to giveaways? Any cool prizes?
2 comments:
Rats! I thought you were really coming to Ohio. Good luck on the tricked-out stroller!
That book sounds really interesting; I'll have to put it on my list of reads. Good list of rules for joining contests! I get sucked into them too, and keep thinking that maybe at some point I'll even post one on mine (if I can find anything reasonable enough to post).
Hope you win the stroller!!
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