While I haven’t been that active in visiting other blogs and commenting on various posts and reviews in recent months, I have noticed certain trends that have me rolling my eyes, raising my eyebrows and in general wondering about the state of book blogging. I want to take some time to address each one and hopefully start a discussion about them. As I have a lot to say, this is going to be spread out over several weeks. Think of it as a modern-day expose on the world of book blogging. I started out with readathons. This week I tackle the idea of giveaways.
Yes, I do host giveaways periodically. I am okay with them for special occasions or to help publishers. I want to discuss the idea of constant giveaways, those who require tweets or being a follower or something other than just entering a form. I have noticed an increase in the number of giveaways some bloggers are hosting, and I am not certain what bloggers hope to get out of hosting them.
For those who host giveaways all the time, why? What is your end goal? Are you doing it to celebrate something? Are you hoping to increase the number of people who follow you? Are you hoping to get rid of some books? Why offer a giveaway every week or two? What are you hoping to accomplish?
For the followers, do you ever find yourself avoiding those blogs that offer nothing but giveaways or do you participate in every one of them? What makes you participate? Is there a middle ground you would like to see?
I ask this because I subscribe to the idea that giveaways do not make up the major substance of my blog content, nor do I want them to do so. I want to be known for my reviews and my opinions and to share my appreciation of my followers by offering occasional giveaways. My perception is that those bloggers who offer constant giveaways are trying to inflate their stats by driving up traffic through giveaways or requiring participants to become followers. In doing so, are you truly getting the audience you truly want? Or are you only getting followers who are in it for what you can give them and not to start a dialogue among book lovers? Does it matter?
I truly am puzzled about this trend of giveaways. No, they are not bad, and they do serve their purpose as a thank-you and as a part of a marketing campaign. Yet, what about all the other times? Does every blog hop need a giveaway? Does every readathon? Are we creating an expectation among potential followers to expect free books from bloggers? For those who have been blogging for several years, what are your thoughts? Do you see anything disconcerting in this trend?
Let’s discuss!!
Oh, Jamie! You hit the nail on the head. This is exactly why I asked these questions. I am seeing the exact same thing over and over again. Blogging, to me, is all about generating discussion and getting people thinking. Constant giveaways does not accomplish this, in my opinion.
Exactly! I think by doing this series of questions, I'm ultimately getting down to what I like in a blog. I suspect that I will be taking a very hard look at my feed reader when this is over.
I think Mommy bloggers are just as bad as book bloggers for hosting giveaways and creating hoops to enter. I just do not understand that mentality.
I take my own giveaways one step further by not even offering to host one if the publisher offers because I don't want to be known for that either. Like you, I just want to be known for conversation and deep thoughts, not free books.
Picking a winner is one of the hardest parts, or remembering to do so, isn't it? The unfollowing part is the one thing that always strikes me as ironic with those who host giveaways and make it a requirement.
Interesting. I'm trying to pay closer attention to those blogs who hold giveaways all the time to see if this is true for my own bloggers I follow. I suspect you are correct.
Thanks, Florinda! Honestly, I think laziness is one of the main reasons why I don't do giveaways either. It's one of the reasons why I am such a huge fan of Goodreads Bookswap. I can print out the labels and mail them without ever stepping foot into a post office.
I've even gotten lazy about participating in giveaways. The books are either all the same or something I have no interest in reading.
That's an interesting perspective. Everyone has their own guidelines, but it does appear that most of us are concerned or at least willing to ignore those bloggers who do nothing but memes and giveaways. Yet, these bloggers continue to proliferate. They must be doing something to attract followers. Is the lure of free books, no matter how awful or good, that strong?
I'm with you on all of this. How do you feel about bloggers who host giveaways all the time? Do you understand it or are concerned at all?
I'm not saying that giveaways don't boost stats. They definitely can do so. But are those same people ever going to come back again? Are you looking for a strong follower base with whom you interact quite frequently or just want a large number of comments? The two may not be entirely compatible. Just some things to think about…
I'm sure we can all think of popular blogs that only do giveaways. I wonder why they are blogging. What is this person getting out of it? Where is the satisfaction in blogging without the interaction and detailed conversations? I don't get it.
I'm with you, Amy. I actually even go so far to avoid giving away books that I felt were just okay. I try to keep those for a book swap or other site. Given the strong sentiments about requiring someone to be a follower, I'm actually surprised that so many bloggers continue to do so.
I think you are striking the right balance, if it means anything. I too am turned off by those bloggers who do nothing but offer giveaways because I do not know why they are blogging.
I don't often host giveaways on my blog and when I do, I keep it simple.
I've noticed that, whenever I come across a blog that does frequent giveaways, usually it is not the type of genre I like to read anyway.
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Again…I am still too new to know what to do about this…I finally hosted one giveaway and it was the only time ever tons of people commented on my blog…I am not even sure what that means…
I stay away from any blog where memes or giveaways are all I can find on the first page. I hold my blogging anniversary giveaway, and usually 3 or 4 more through a year that are asked of me by a publisher and for a book that I do want to get the word out about. I ask for nothing in return, no follow or RSS or anything, usually fill out a form or in the case of my latest giveaway going on now for No Strings Attached I asked for people to comment and tell me about a time when they thought they were getting a good deal but it turns out strings were attached. A good blog has good content, however there is one blog that I can think of right now that is very successful and the owner does is giveaways. Sad-making.
Another great topic. I tend to give away a lot of books but only in the 'I thought it was OK, don't want it on my shelf, so I'll give it to you' way. I don't require people to be followers or anything. I'd much prefer to have followers who are there to read my reviews and interact then followers who simply want free books. I do tend to start avoiding sites if they always want you to be a follower and all they do is giveaways.
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