Seeing a lot of contests on blogs these days. While at one blog someone is offering 5,000$ worth of sponsored prizes, other is offering in 5 figures. Every other blog seems to be hosting a contest, that’s exaggerated but still. All they want from participants is to subscribe to their feeds, comment on the posts or make a blog post about the contest itself on their respective blogs, of course with a do-follow link.
You call it marketing? Me too, but:
Whilst I understand that these are all Marketing fundas and all, I personally feel that in this way we are going to dilute the value of readers and readership. I am not saying that it is wrong, it doesn’t hurt anybody; readers happy, contest owner happy - then what’s wrong with me? Why I am making such a fuss about it. Honestly, I am a tad miffed about this buying and selling of readers, links and comments. All these are part of blog marketing these days, as they say.
An interesting thing is that I have been seeing these contests from long, never cared. But, now they are bothering me because TechnoDiary has filled me with a great positive energy and I have started respecting blogging and its ethics more than ever.
What do I mean? Are all these contests unethical?
No no.. not unethical at all. It’s bloggers’ personal choice to like it or not. Even biggies like John Chow and Shoemoney like it, I don’t. It’s that simple. Everybody has a freedom of speech on expression (on net at least), that’s what I am making use of at the moment by making my point.
Also, it’s not bribe in a real sense, if we provide real good content to the users then those users are going to be our subscribers sooner or later, contests can be considered as catalysts in this case. My post title is for those who just want to gain more and more subscribers by giving out more and more $$$$, while ignoring the content.
Let me also tell you that I have recently sponsored a prize for a contest which is still going on somewhere. I had to do it, again for what? yes, for marketing this blog. You’d say - sponsoring a prize for something I am not a big fan of, it doesn’t make much sense. But, I know where to draw the line. Again, I’d like to emphasize on the fact that every blogger has different mind set, different strategies and different likes/dislikes. I am just one of them. Time for the big question:
Would I ever host such contest here on TechnoDiary?
May be not. However, I believe in "never say never". If ever I start feeling comfortable with such contests, I might do it. It is a fact that contests do help in spreading the word. They are the easiest way to gain subscribers these days, but for the time being, I’d prefer to go without them. Again, personal choice.
At the end, I’d like to admit that I have failed miserably to make any strong point. I’d also admit that I have been diplomatic and defensive in my approach (as I don’t want to disrespect anyone at all). Above few paragraphs depict my state of mind at the very moment. I might cover this topic one more time but only after some research. This time I just blogged it without thinking or researching. But hey! this is my blog after all. :P
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hey, i feel, contest’s are part of most of the games or business. Now a days Blogging has also joined that list. It’s a marketing concept to reward the readers. I don’t find anything wrong with that.
@Pras, I was expecting this comment. Yes, it’s part of the business. If we take blogging as business then okay but I tried to emphasize on a different perspective. Blogging has much more to do than just business. Thanks for your comment.
Sahil, contests trying to get more RSS subscribers are almost as old as the blogosphere.
They’re actually kind of funny in a way.
If someone participates in your contest and subscribes to your blog, they’re only going to stay if the content is good. But if the content was good, social media would have attracted them already. Which is why most of these contests don’t give the blogger a good return on investment, especially now that the idea is old. Unlessl the contest has something exceptional - usually the prize - it will barely register much attention in the blogosphere. Which brings us back to the beginning. If you had good content, you’ll get even more attention, and more subscribers.
“they’re only going to stay if the content is good”
I disagree with that. Most of the subscribers (in contest) are lazy (especially email subscribers). So a considerable number of subscribers gonna stay irrespective of the quality of content. This laziness can be seen from JohnChow.com’s feed count. But if you think he delivers quality content then that’s another story.
Thanks for that thoughtful comment
I am a little confused as to why you entered the Blogging Idol contest if you feel this way. I don’t mean to be a trouble starter here, I really am just curious. It seems a little hypocritical.
@Jill, That’s a funny question. Blogging Idol is a totally different thing and I don’t intend to increase my subscribers by giving out prizes and money. Period.
I agree, but the contest is obviously intended to help boost their subscriptions, by giving out money and prizes. It’s structured differently, but that still is the purpose.
“the contest is obviously intended to help boost their subscriptions, by giving out money and prizes”
I disagree with that. Giving out prizes for sake of getting subscribers is one’s own choice. And my choice is obviously obvious after this article.
Fair enough. I’m in the contest as well, so I’m not trying to be critical, I just found it interesting.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having contests to boost subscribers, but I do think it’s rotten to have a contest to win the Blogging Idol contest, which someone already is doing.
I got your point Jill. Thanks for the comments. Now let me to read your blog posts.