Today’s posts are dedicated to some pretty fabulous contests currently running on Listen to Lena!
In addition to the ever-so-talented and unique Alli’s Originals, we also have my One Year Blogiversary Stash of Goodies. I’ve got three (3) more prizes to add, so sit tight – and be sure to tune in THIS SATURDAY to view all the winners! (HINT: I’ll have the post up late afternoon – before the trick or treaters arrive!)
Over the months, I’ve received e-mails from readers asking how to enter contests on my blog. It’s actually quite simple, and I happen to think the prizes are fab! So I thought I’d do a quick post to encourage those shy but freebie-minded individuals who take the time to visit my site. I believe we’ve had over 50 winners to date – it could be YOU next!
1. At the bottom of each post, right above the turquoise divider, you’ll find a link that says “Comments”. At the moment, the Alli’s Originals contest link says “16 Comments”. Click on this link.
2. On the right side of the comment screen, you’ll see a box where you can “Leave Your Comment”. In here, you can write whatever you’d like to enter the contest – for example, what you’d like to buy, what you find interesting, etc. You can also see what other commenters have written to get an idea.
3. Then you have to choose an identity. If you do not have a blogger account, you can also log in with your Gmail, Yahoo or Open ID account. If you don’t want to sign in on any of these platforms, then simply choose the Name/URL bullet, and when this pops up -
simply enter a screen name. (URL is optional – you can skip it.) I say “a” name because you can enter Jane Doe, JD, Glam Girl 2000 – whatever you want! It’s just a means to trace back to you if you win. I randomly draw all winners by using http://www.random.org/, then I post the winner’s screen name when the contest closes.
NOTE: For contests, please don’t leave Anonymous entries – you’ll be voided from the list of entrants.
A lot of people have questioned why I don’t ask commenters to add their e-mail address, so that I can write to them if they win. I don’t do this for two reasons:
1) Anytime you leave your e-mail address publicly on the Internet, you are opening yourself up to spam. Sometimes you can get around this by leaving your address as janedoe (at) gmail (dot) com, but those hackers are getting smarter each day. I’d hate for you to be spammed based on the good intention to enter my contest, so I don’t ask you to publish your e-mail address. Some entrants choose to anyways, and that’s a-okay with me. Just so long as you know why I don’t ask for it.
2) This brings us to a fork in the road – if I don’t have your e-mail address, how can I contact you to tell you the good news? Here’s the thing. During my time in the blogosphere, I’ve come to learn that many people find your site, enter your contest, and never read your blog again. These freebie seekers are all over the place. To me, if I am going to approach a company for a giveaway, take the time to blog about a product, and run a contest, I’m damn well giving the prize to someone who is actually interested in what I have to say.
So I make it a point to post winner’s names in a separate post, have a winner’s section where you can see if you’ve won (on the right bar under current contests – Are you a Winner? Click
here to find out! - and give winners one week to contact me to claim their prize. This way, if you’ve missed the post on the day the draw took place, you can always trace back to see if you nailed it. I think a week is fair, as most of my readers will visit at least once in seven (7) days.
If you were a previous winner that didn’t contact me right away, you’ll also vouch that I do everything possible to track you down – sometimes you have a blog, an Etsy site, or you’re a friend of a friend – when it comes down to it, I’ll do my best to find you before I have to re-draw.
So that’s how to officially enter the contests! Good luck!
"To me, if I am going to approach a company for a giveaway, take the time to blog about a product, and run a contest, I'm damn well giving the prize to someone who is actually interested in what I have to say."my name is chinwhat and i approve this message!
You're LOLtastic chin!