Okay so I run a lot of giveaways on my blog but I also do enter giveaways on other blogs, when I get the chance! So this post on Giveaway Etiquette is both specific to my blog and in general to giveaways on blogs.
First off, always say “Thank You” when you win something. I cannot tell you how many times I receive the winner’s information and that’s it, no thank you or any other comment. Not to sound bitchy but I work my butt off not only getting giveaways to post but all the work that goes into running them (approving comments, picking a winner, emailing the sponsor…) that a thank you is just common courtesy.
Next, make sure when you enter the giveaway, you are following the directions. For example, most blogs have a Mandatory Entry and then Bonus Entries. On my blog the Mandatory Entry is usually visiting the company’s website and commenting on another product you like or something you learned from the site – sponsors want you to check out their website and that is the least giveaway participants can do to show that they do want to win and appreciate the prize! I get a lot of Mandatory comments that have nothing to do with what I asked (For example, the main entry is “Leave a comment on another product from Sears you’d like” and the comment is “My husband would really love this prize!” – sorry that doesn’t count and I would have to re-draw if you won)
For the Bonus Entries, please don’t lie and said you did something if you didn’t. If you say you subscribed, make sure you actually confirmed your subscription or just followed through with whatever you said you did. Also, don’t just do the bonus entries and not the main entry! I just had to re-draw a winner because she didn’t do the main entry!
When filling out the information for winning a prize, make sure you fill out all your information. I get a lot of winner submissions where the person just sends me their address and not their name! Read the winner email completely and reply back or fill out the Google Form (which is a lifesaver for me) with the requested information. I personally don’t have time to keep emailing people back and forth for missing information.
On that note, make sure you are submitting your winner’s information within the allotted time. Some blogs say within 24 hours, while others are longer (mine is 48 hours) and it is because sponsors want that information asap to get the prizes out and closed out. I also don’t email winner’s more than once usually because I don’t have time and get busy so please check your emails regularly and respond right away!
Sometimes prizes are shipped out by bloggers (I send out some prizes myself but of course I prefer the company to do it) but most of the time we bloggers email the winner’s information to PR reps who then compile lists or order the prizes directly. Please wait at least 4 weeks (if not 6 weeks) to email the blogger and say you haven’t received your prize yet. As a blogger I don’t necessarily send out your information as soon as you send it to me and then the PR person has to send it out (maybe they were busy or on vacation) so it does take some time. Don’t get me wrong, some prizes go out immediately but usually they take a few weeks if not up to 6 weeks. I have received emails before from winner’s who said they haven’t received their prize yet and it has only been a week or less! Also, don’t wait too long to say you are missing a prize – one winner of mine emailed me almost six months after the fact and by then it was hard to get the sponsor to send out a replacement prize. I think six weeks is a good amount of time, but if you’re anxious then wait at least 4 weeks and follow up.
If you have questions about how to enter a giveaway or about the entries, don’t hesitate to email the blogger. I have no problem answering emails on how to enter my giveaways, as I’d rather you do it right and get the most entries you can, then do it wrong and miss out!
I know not all blogs do this, but I do post my Winners on my blog. I do this about once a week when I have gathered enough winners to make the post worth it. You can always find my winners here: https://momandmore.com/category/winners
This is a mention for bloggers specifically that run contests, but please post a link to the prize when you send out the prize email. I hate when I receive an email that I won something and I have to then Google the blog and prize to see what I actually won or if I need to pick out a specific product as a prize it is easier if I have a direct link to that too! I appreciate winning but I think it is no extra effort to put in a link to the original giveaway post so the winner can easily check back on what they won (or I like to see how many entries there were to see what my chances were of winning.)
Sorry if I sound like I am complaining or ranting, but giveaways really are hard work and while I really do appreciate all my readers and the opportunities with companies, I also want to make sure everyone understands how to enter and win!
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Hello It's my first time I've entered a giveaway and it's in a country other than mine. So here's the question: Do I have to pay any money to receive my prize? Nothing about it was mentioned when I entered and I don't know the rules.
I always say thanks to the person having the contest and I let them know when I get it. I waited 4 weeks for one prize I won but it didn't come. I let the person know and she contacted the company but I never got it. Told her again and she said oh well.
One thing I lije to do if I win is try to post a pic and tag a blogger and sponsor in a post in social media. I figure it is a great way to express gratitude and acknowledge them in a way that helps both the blogger and sponsor in advertising.
These are great tips. I ALWAYS say thank you when I'm notified about winning a prize and I also let them know when I received the prize and thank them again. I'm also a blogger and do giveaways. Most people do say thank you but not all and that is really annoying. Very few let me know that they received their prize. It's not a huge deal but I do like knowing whether the sponsor came through or not. I have a lot of people enter my giveaways and not follow the rules but I always verify these types of entries and delete them accordingly.
Thank you for all of the information you shared. And, thank you for hosting giveaways. I understand all of the work involved.
I completely agree, but I actually posted from the other side about this, on my Instagram page. I've won from bloggers a few times. Never heard from them, months went by, they ignore my emails. Things happen, I completely get it. But it's happened to me several times. I won on Instagram, and the person picked two people by accident, deleted her giveaway post, gave the prize to the other person, and ignored me, as if she never had the giveaway! Um, no. I contacted another blogger associated with the giveaway, and she made it right. I always look at both sides, and can understand what you're saying. But companies and bloggers need to have etiquette too. When this happens, it really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I appreciate a giveaway, but I don't appreciate being ignored. It definitely causes me to look away from their products and business - big AND small - the next time I shop.
Wher do I sign up for mom and me
I always try to say thank you & direct my friends to the site I won at. This could apply to some bloggers as well. I have had a negative experience as a winner on two different blogs. One it is the prize fulfillments fault & that blogger is great but the other...
And one other thing worth mentioning - so many bloggers do not and will not post winners. I know many people who simply won't enter these, including myself. Unfortunately, as generous as some people are (including you!), there are a few who simply want the "likes" on their page or post, and have no intention of giving anything away. So if there is no winner mentioned anywhere, and they ignore you when you ask about a winner, I stay away from those.
Thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it. There was lots I didn't know about including waiting for the prize and how long it took. Also the idea of someone winning a prize and not saying a simple thank you is appalling. I am surprised but I guess I shouldn't be.
I horrible that people don't say thank you when they win. This should be common courtesy and shouldn't need to be reminded. I am not a blogger but I do enter a lot of giveaways. I always thank the blogger and also send a email once the product has arrived letting them know that I received it.
I also make sure to follow all the directions for that entry and if I am not sure on how to do it, then I just don't leave that entry. Never thought of emailing the blogger for clarification on directions. Thanks for the tip.