So, what if you could give away stuff WITHOUT all the hoops? Seems to me you should write about the stuff you love, and you are able to do a giveaway – bonus!

Also, why would you do giveaways without compensation?? I wouldn't work for an advertising agency/company for free unless a friend or family member owned it.

Just thinking out loud… What if, instead of all the hoops and nonsense you do giveaways to commenters from a date-certain that you and the company agree on? The "date certain" wouldn't have to be a giveaway post. The post could be about the product's website (go there, pic something, comment) or it could be that you ask your commenters for feedback on the product.

For the readers there may or may not be a giveaway, you wouldn't publicize it, on purpose… It seems that kind of system would pay off for you AND the company. You would get more readers, and comments, because people would know there was a chance they'd get picked in a surprise giveaway and they'd likely tell friends, and those friends would be more likely to want the same kinds of stuff (better targeted audience).

It seems this kind of setup would give the company a better idea of their target market's thoughts, some feedback, and airtime re: their products from the excitement generated if there is a giveaway.

I KNOW the companies want people to talk-up their products, but people will if they love the product or it's idea. You don't have to get people to false-market the product via twitter. etc. Frankly, I never do it. I figure out who might like it that I know, then I tell them about the product.

Then again, I don't do hoops. I'm not a trained dog, even though advertisers seem to think so.

You know how I feel about giveaways – no one comes here to try and "win" something. They come to see all of the wonderful "crap" you have made.

I also think you should charge for giveaways…more than the $5 I've seen suggested.

Also, if there's a product I'm not interested in, I won't bother entring. And if it's something that's interesting but the requirements are too demanding I'll drop it too. I'm not going to add a blog to my giant list that I'm not interested in, for example.

But in any case, I appriciate your work and feel sad that you don't get something out of it, because IMO you should.

I don't sign up for as many giveaways anymore. I see the value and have appreciated finding new blogs/ideas, etc because of them though. Perhaps someone should just create a blog that's specifically giveaways for people wanting to promote themselves and their items.

I've learned in my J-O-B that the best way to promote one's self is just through the service one delivers and it will naturally spread by word of mouth. I don't remember how I came across your blog but I'm sure it was through someone mentioning you or somehow linking to your blog through a project I saw. Thanks though…

I think the best give-away I've received is inspiration…and I don't have to sign up for it!!!

Honestly, I think just reviewing products works as much charm as a giveaway. And you get stuff! Whatever you end up doing, I will still follow! You are my idol.

Oh and I also like to enter giveaways with only one entry. And I usually enter for things I just don't have the energy to make myself.

You should definately get something for doing a giveaway! to expect you to promote a product for free is really unfair to you.

I will follow your blog, regardless of your giveaways! I love your ideas!
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