SharDon Exclusives: A Give Away??

Thursday, March 12, 2009

A Give Away??

Thoughts and lots of Questions:
I need someones help and someones understanding that I am a pretty new blogger and would love to hear from the "established" friends of blog:
Can anyone in blogland tell me the way a "give away" works?
Which is better, giveaway or swap?
If you want to swap who do you swap with?
What are the plus and minus of the way it works?
What works for you?
Have you ever had a wonderful idea that can be passed on?
Does it increase the blogs that "check you out" or is it just people wanting something/anything?
I have some great pieces that I would love to share & think I would also have to pay postage too?
The problem I have is that the things we make are tremendously time consuming as well as each thing has a material cost plus with the cost of postage now days it is an investment.
Do we just weigh the cost verses contacts verses exposure?
Or am I looking at it all wrong?
Please understand that I honestly I am a very giving person and want to share my work with others and do not have any problems "giving" things away. I just would like some feed back from experienced bloggers...help!
I do not believe I am the only one out there that has the same questions. Maybe this will help them too. I will share with you IF I get any responses as they come in.
Thank you for your time and for visiting my blog. A month from now or even a year from now I know I will look at this blog and say, "boy, were you ever dumb, Sharon".

5 comments:

The Rustic Victorian said...: Well...I may not be much help, as I am newer to blogging that you are. To me a giveaway is a way to say thank you to your fellow bloggers for their frienship and encouragement. Lots of blogs wait untill a point of cellabration, like the 100th post for instance.If the spirit of giving is truely giving, not expecting something in return, like.. increased readership or sales, then give. That is just my opinion, and will be my approach.
A swap, is an exchange for fun. I have never been involved in an exchange. I see some create 20 things alike, and swap for 20 other things, from 20 others. Could be fun.
A blog alone dosent make sales from what I see,,,well not alot of sales. If we had a better economy, that would help.
I guess it depends on your purpose for blogging. I do understand your questions and hope more experienced bloggers add their thoughts. I will check back to see what you hear.
Have a nice weekend!
Marcie; March 13, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Monica said...: Well Sharon, I was here to say 'hello' and 'thank you' for your lovely comment... now I have to reply;)
I joined blogland on Dec, 2008, but previously I have been reading blogs and commenting for a year as 'anonymous' without having my own blog...

I agree with Marcie- don't think giveaways or swaps encrease readership ... there are DIFFERENT methods for that! As for the sale thing, I'm afraid this is an awful period for worldwide economy... so don't expect to sell that much! I have been creating and selling my handmade items for almost 20 years so far, but I can assure you this is a very difficult moment for a seller, even if talented...:(

I had my first giveaway some posts ago (my 50th) just to THANK each and every person who reads my little pages... Of course you cannot give a present to all the lovely people who comment on your giveaway post, but it is a way to say you care. And that they are an important part of your life.
You have, naturally, to pay postage!...

A swap is just for fun, and to make new friends... You can easily join one of those 'big' swaps some gals out there are organizing every now and then (I joined Dolly's-From my Cherry Heart, and found a lifetime friend because of that!!). Of course you could also ask publicly on your blog for some swap partners (I did this for an Easter Swap)...
There are swaps with many people (20 for instance) and you have to create 20 object alike, one for each person; and swaps where you are paired with only one person, and you are required to create a basket or container full of pretties (usually they have a theme) for your partner to enjoy! To give her joy! Just for that...

I think it would be nice to try a swap... maybe join a 'big' swap if you have not many followers... then, when their number is increased, you could try to ask if someone would swap with you, directly from your blog...

Hope this helps!
Have a great day and w.e as well,

Monica.

P.S. Thank you for your lovely words... Oh, you made my day!; March 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Monica said...: I meant to say how a giveaway works.
It's very simple:
-post pictures of something you 'offer' as prize, anything pretty... big or smaller, your choice;
- ask to leave a comment on that post;
-after a week, just 'pick' the winner with Random Generator or from the hat...
...et voilà! Giveaway done!
Then you have to email to the winner and ask her address... and send the goodies.

Monica.; March 13, 2009 at 11:36 AM
SharDon Exclusives said...: Thank Both Marcie & Monica for the wonderful words of encouragements! I thank you for hearing my heart. I think I will try a giveaway soon just so that you will know how much your kind words ment to me. I am not necessarily blogging to sell my things and did not even include prices for a long period of time. My sister kept asking me how much things are then a couple of others asked so I started putting the prices on the pictures. I am blogging because it is so fun to get notes from a variaty of people. What a lovely concept..doing what you love and sharing it with a total stranger/they can say wow or not. Thanks again and I welcome all critique.; March 13, 2009 at 5:37 PM
The Charm House said...: Sharon... I am not one for swaps, so I can't really speak on swaps. I don't like them because I have to create something because my heart tells me to create it, not my head. My head is not good at creating, so I am not good at swaps.
I love giveaways because I can share things that I like (products or magazines), my art, etc. with other people. Giveaways can be anything for any reason. I found a new magazine that I really liked and I gave a copy of it away in a 3day giveaway. The postage was not that much.
Have fun!
Yvette
Thanks bunches!!!!; March 13, 2009 at 11:16 PM