Who doesn’t like to win free stuff?
Okay, that was a rhetorical question. So let me follow it up by saying that we’re giving something away in this blog post, but you’ll need to read to the bottom of the post to see what we’re giving away and how to enter. We’re sneaky that way.
Spend some time hopping around the internet and you’ll find thousands upon thousands of contests going on at anytime. Even if you only look for contests given by authors you’re likely to find hundreds of them. Of course it makes sense. Offering a contest or other free things gets people to your website, and the hope that is, once there, readers will be interested enough to stick around for awhile, and maybe, hopefully, if they like what they see, they’ll buy your books.
Whenever we run a contest, we always try to do exciting giveaways. In the past we’ve given away movies, TV shows on DVD, lots of books, tote bags, jewelry. Right now, over on AshleighRaine.com, we’re running a big contest to celebrate the upcoming release of Forsaken Talisman (releasing from Samhain Publishing on Friday, April 3). We’re giving away lots of goodies—necklaces, a purse, some books… Check out the photos of some of the prizes:
Now this is where we need some feedback. As readers, what contest prizes do you prefer to win? Have you ever bought a book you heard about because of a contest? If you’re an author, do you throw contests, and what contest prizes do you prefer to give?
As a thank you for taking time to give us some feedback in the comments, we’ll be giving away a digital copy of Lover’s Talisman, the first book in the Talisman Bay series, to one lucky commenter on this blog post. We’ll announce the winner here in the comments on Monday, March 9—but you have to check back in to the blog to see if you win.
I love getting free books. It is not that I dislike other prices, I like free stuff as much as the next guy, um, girl. But getting a free book opens a world of new possibilities.
I usually read the same authors (mostly urban fantasy and paranormal romance) and I rarely venture out. But a couple of years ago, I won a copy of Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money. I fell in love with Stephanie Plum and ended up buying the entire series.
I love a variety of prizes. For instance, I love that purse and necklace. Winning tangible things like that is like having a keepsake to remind me of that author, when I use it. The earrings don’t do much since my holes closed. (hope that didn’t sound bad) But I also like winning books because it introduces me to an author I may not have known about before. Gift cards are great also.
The kind of contests I like the best are those in which I get to read an excerpt of an author’s work to answer a question. That forces me to read the excerpt. I also like the “Hunt” contests, where I go to different author’s web sites to find a certain icon. I love exploring an author’s website like that and will usually leave a comment in her guestbook, if she has one, or I will read her blog for the day and leave a comment. So it introduces me to the author as a person and as a writer, as well as her books. BUT sometimes the icon is not one or two clicks away and when that author has a bunch of books to go through, it can be frustrating instead of a fun learning experience.
I guess what I’m saying is that I like those contests best which serve a purpose—-and that is to introduce me to that author and her work. That is the reward in itself. But because many times readers can’t afford to buy from every new author they ‘meet’—-at least not right away, then winning a book is icing on the cake and helps me to remember that author.
Julie
Bring on the books or related items!
I do not enter many contests, but when I do the prize is usually the determining factor. While the prizes pictured above are nice, it is the book that I would prefer to receive. Prizes, giveaways, etc., in my opinion should be related to the website or main product line. Contests where readers are introduced to new authors are great, because I would not usually purchase that book unless recommended.
As an avid reader there was a point where I thought I would never read e-books, until my house decided otherwise. Increasing TBR and BIR piles, compelled me to try out e-books and surprisingly enough I am enjoying them. Now I try to purchase e-books or download free reads every couple of weeks and they are strictly new authors for me.
I love to enter contests both for authors I already follow and new to me authors. I like both the simple (send name in email) and the more complex (hunts or read an excerpt.) I like winning books because that frees up money to buy new books and gift cards are always welcome. It does not have to be a huge amount either, 50 dollars is nice but 10 is good too. I have bought books because of the exposure but I can only follow so many authors so usually try not to venture to far from the usual suspects.
My favorite contest prizes to receive are gc’s, and books (both pb and ebook). I have added many new authors to my buy lists after winning a download from a contest.
I have to agree that winning books/downloads is my fave. It is a great way to try out authors I haven’t read before, and I very rarely find a book I don’t like. It is also a terrific way to stretch out the book budget, which is always much smaller than the list of books I want to buy. I tend to discover new to me authors at booksignings of authors I already enjoy, or through contests like this.
That said, other prizes are fun as well. My mouse pad is from a contest, and I have a lovely feathered book thong from another contest, or maybe it was a chat, keeping my place in a book I am re-reading for the umpteenth time. Pens I tend to spread out to people I know who are running out of things to read. How better to remember the name of an author that has been recommended to you?
Ann
I prefer books (and ebooks over print, in most cases).
Yes, I have bought books due to a contest (most often after winning or getting a free download of a new author, especially in a series).
I prefer to win ebooks- not only becasue they’re easier to transport and store but because where
Ilive is far away from whereyoulive.And shipping stuff sucks. Just saying.
In terms of the contests, it makes such a difference what’s happening in life at the time. I love reading story excerpts, but sometimes my to-do list is too long and I end up simply skipping those contests because I don’t have time.
But winning a book from a new author, that I enjoy, virtually guarantees that I go and purchase their backlist!!
First, I want to thank all of you for commenting. I really appreciate the feedback. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a bubble and it’s hard for me to tell if the contest ideas I’m coming up with are exciting, or not. I like to do things big and different, but it’s good to know that sometimes just giving away an ebook works too.
Random.org did the honors for me, drawing a winner of the ebook copy of Lover’s Talisman. And the winner is…
JULIE ROBINSON!
Julie, please email me at ashleigh (AT) ashleighraine (dot) com—replacing the stuff in parenthesis for the appropriate symbols—or reply to this thread with your contact info and the digital format you prefer and I’ll send you your copy of Lover’s Talisman.
Thanks again, y’all, for your feedback! I’ll remember it when I announce future contests.
OMGosh, Ashleigh!! Thank you so much. After a bad week with overwork and car problems, I was able to spend some time on the computer. Wow!
I’ll email you in a sec.
Thanks again.
Julie