Blog competitions are another area of comping which have seen an increase in interest over recent months. We even introduced their own dedicated section in our types of comp categories – blog competitions (unsurprisingly). These are competitions run by bloggers who, as part of their entry mechanic ask you to comment on their articles, a bit like we did for our recent 2011 Loquax Mug Competition.
Many compers, however, avoid these competitions meaning they are low entry. For compers and for bloggers who run competitions here’s a bit of an overview on blog comping.
1. Low Value Prizes or Limited Interest
Many bloggers tend to be mums (moms) who are reviewing certain items donated to them by brands and promoters. They will write a review and then offer the item as a prize. A lot of blog related prizes tend to be for kids/parents or beauty/fashion orientated and that may limit interest. There’s nothing wrong with low value prizes as they’re the bread and butter for many a comper.
2. Jumping Through Hoops To Enter
The biggest issue we’ve noted with blog competitions is that the entry process is often long winded or confusing. Follow @ABC and @XYZ on Twitter, post a message, comment on the blog, join a Facebook page and refer a friend to enter is pushing things a little – especially if the value of the prize is limited.
As well as putting off entrants (which to be fair may be the idea) we do wonder how a blogger admins a competition with many facets to it. Bloggers do have a tendency to ask entrants to do anything and everything plus send them the kitchen sink to take part. We’d like to see bloggers simplify things a little – and that might help increase interest.
3. Not All Bloggers Like Compers
We’re pretty cautious when it comes to including competitions being run by bloggers. Some don’t want compers preferring instead that their prizes go to regular readers and subscribers. Most are OK though, in fact a number are compers themselves, but it’s something worth be aware of!
If you run a blog and want it listed on Loquax then please feel free to add your competition.
4. A Bit Too Public
One of the comments we’ve heard about not entering blog competitions is that the answers tend to be public. If they’re public it’s possible/feasible they could be found via search engines too. Blog entrants may not fancy posting “tell us your partner’s most embarassing habit” knowing that it could be visible for all (and their partner to see). It’s something for blog competition organisers to consider when setting their questions and asking people to reply via the blog. If you are concerned about answering in public then use a username rather than your real name.
5. But! The Odds Are Good
Remember the old Blag It competitions from The Mirror? They used to only attract a hatful of entries and essentially they were just blog competitions. Our current Mecca Bingo Mug prize draw offers a 1/5 to 1/6 chance of winning. Ok, it’s “only a mug” but if you’re having a lean spell it’s nice to get that old Lucky Winning Email feeling once in a while to keep you going.
And to encourage you to enter a blog competition we’re going to have one of our own right here!
Win a Loquax Mug & Pen!
We want to know what you think of blog competitions? Do you like them? Or do you shy away (don’t be shy now though)? Are you a blogger with a competition? Has it been successful? Or did you give up running competitions? Let us know what you think!
We’ll pick a winner randomly from all the entries on 10th February 2011. One comment entry per person. UK only. Usual Loquax terms and conditions apply.
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I have entered a few blog comps but more often than not you have to do more than comment on the blog & it all seems a bit long winded. Plus I can never think of anything interesting to say….
I’m not a big fan of blogs but do enter a few comps on them. The ones where you just answer a question or make a comment are ok but some of them are getting so complicated, not only asking you to follow and comment but to also maybe tweet, like them on facebook etc so unless the prize or the blog itself really appeals to me I often just leave them. I have had one blog win up to now, not too bad considering that I don’t enter many and the prize was quickly sent out so maybe once I get used to them I will enter more.
Never entered one because I am always fearful of saying something wron and inviting negative comments. May be i should be more adventurous and give them a try ;}
I don’t really enter this type of comp, have tried a few recently via twitter but not been lucky yet, will have to wait and see
I am shy to enter them but I do because I think maybe not many people will be bothered with them!
shy away from them, as on 1st glance they just seem too involved to worth having a go.
I usually don’t enter blog competitions but I’ll always read them to see if there’s any that catch my eye.
I don’t really like them as they are so long winded, I tend to ignore them but if I am up to date with all my comping and it is a good prize I will enter
I don’t usually enter blog competitions,don’t do facebook or twitter comps either.
To tell you the truth, they bore me a little.
I’ve entered a few, but they are very time consuming. I’ve also been irritated on a couple of occasions, where I’ve put some effort in to my entry, to be told at a later date that the prize has gone to a random winner.
If I come across them I do enter them but not a huge fan of them but probably just because I’m still learning with them..so the more I enter the more confidence i will gain and will probably like entering by this time next year..if that makes sense..lol
not sure about these yet but if you dont enter you aint gonna win
If I come across a blog competition for something I can use then I will enter but I have not got a preference for or against them. I prefer it if the winner is chosen at random. ps I could use a new mug as mt ‘Millenium’ one has had a lot of use, lol.
The winner of this blog competition was… Polarbear
Thanks everyone for their comments – they’ll be more mugs to be won during the rest of the year!