A disturbing trend
I’ve noticed a trend in giveaways. A disturbing trend if you ask me.
A giveaway is exactly that, something being given away. It is supposed to be for nothing. As in, you give something away and don’t expect anything in return. However, there is a change a-happening and I’m not sure I like it.
I am now seeing people host giveaways on their blogs but only if you do a certain number of things first. They usually include:
1. linking back in some way to the giveaway blog, up to and including placing images in sidebars.
2. becoming a follower of the blog. Since Blogger introduced the new “follow me” feature this is how it’s being done. But, that’s not fair to those who use feed readers and are and have been followers of said blogs for a lot longer than those just trying to get a contest entry.
3. and then there’s the “please post about my giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and your blog” requirement.
I must add that I do understand the concept of this. It sort of (I say this lightly) keeps away those who are just entering to get stuff versus those who are truly blog readers and have been following and commenting, etc. etc. But, seriously, why should anyone have to jump through hoops for something that is supposed to free? It takes just a moment for someone to leave a comment and say “hi, thanks for the opportunity to win”. Instead, people are now having to spend upwards of 20-30 minutes finishing all the requirements which include changing blog code and adding images which not everyone knows how to do and it can totally destroy a blog if done wrong.
So, yeah, I avoid those giveaways and that’s my soapbox for the day.
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