Friday, July 5, 2013

Book Blogger Hop #25 (7/5 - 7/11): The Rafflecopter Widget





Welcome to the new
Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @
Ramblings of a Coffec-Addicted Writer!
He took over this hop from
Jennifer @ Crazy For Books.
I'm so glad he decided to
continue with this weekly feature!
For more information, click HERE.


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this question:

Do you like or dislike Rafflecopter,
and why?

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit Bill's blog!


My Answer

When I hosted my first giveaway, I had no idea that such a widget existed,  so I selected a winner the old-fashioned way -- by pulling names out of a hat!  Yes, really.  I typed up the name of each giveaway participant (in Word), printed out the lists, cut them all up into little pieces of paper, folded them over, and put them into the hat.  I then wiggled the hat around, and, without looking inside of it, pulled out a name, unfolded the paper, and saw who the winner was.

I knew I wouldn't be doing any future giveaways if I continued with this method....

So I was very happy to discover this widget on a blog I was visiting one day!  The Rafflecopter is very easy to work with, although sometimes the website does go on the blink.  Currently, it's impossible to view the list of participants when you go to the website to moderate entries.  However, I still think it's much better than pulling names out of a hat....lol.   This widget is not only very convenient, but also allows you to pick a winner quickly, without fuss.

I definitely love this widget, and recommend it to anyone who is -- ahem -- using alternative methods to select their winners....

Here's the website link, for those who might not have heard of this handy little thingie:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/





What did you think of my answer?
Leave me a comment,
and I'll go check out yours!





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16 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 5, 2013 at 12:58 AM

    How cute! Pulling names out of a hat works, but I must agree that Rafflecopter is a better choice. It is a lot easier to enter too.
    - Belle
    My BBH...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharJuly 5, 2013 at 1:12 AM

      Hi, Belle!

      Yes, pulling names out of a hat works, but is a bit time-consuming...lol. Of course Rafflecopter makes the whole process a lot easier. And that includes entering giveaways, too. I don't like having to leave my email address in a comment. With the Rafflecopter, it's not necessary to do that, since the widget automatically stores your email address, and only the giveaway host can see it.

      I'll go check out your answer. Thanks for commenting!! :)

      Delete
    2. Kathryn TJuly 5, 2013 at 3:43 AM

      I love that pulling names out of a hat - laughing with you! I haven't used rafflecopter - one day when I get organised. Thanks for the link.

      Delete
    3. Maria BeharJuly 5, 2013 at 1:14 PM

      Hi, Kathryn!

      Yeah, I know -- it's too funny! So you can imagine how relieved I was when I discovered Rafflecopter. Now I can put away my New Year's Eve party hat, which is the one I was using....

      You're more than welcome for the link! Thanks for visiting and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  2. Billy BurgessJuly 5, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    I completely agree, rafflecopter is the best! I like that the widget can announce the giveaway winner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharJuly 5, 2013 at 1:17 PM

      Hey, Billy!

      Oh, definitely! I was so happy to discover it!! However, I do prefer to announce my winner in a separate post. That's because I think it's more exciting that way. Also, if people have commented on the giveaway post, the winner's comment would probably never be read.

      Thanks the visit and the comment!! :)

      Delete
  3. MeredithJuly 5, 2013 at 10:13 AM

    Hmmmm, I'm wondering if I should try it. I have a small ebook giveaway I just posted. At a minimum I'm going to sign up so I CAN use rafflecopter :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharJuly 5, 2013 at 1:21 PM

      Hi, Meredith!

      Yes, you really should! It's SO convenient!! Unless you don't mind using my previous method....(grin) I'm glad you're going to sign up so you can use it! You'll see -- you'll be a new 'convert' soon.

      Thanks visiting and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  4. ElizabethJuly 5, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    I like pulling names out of a hat or using random.org

    I seem to be the only one who doesn't like it. Maybe I am missing something, but I hate doing all those crazy signups, etc.

    Too many hoops to jump through.

    You can read my full "rant" at the link below.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    <a href= http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-blogger-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharJuly 5, 2013 at 1:29 PM

      Hey, Elizabeth!

      You like pulling names out of a hat? But it's so time-consuming. I refuse to do that anymore! As for random.org, I have never tried using it, but I think, from the looks of it, that it, too, could be time-consuming.

      I don't mind the signups at all. I just pick and choose what I want to do. For instance, one of the entry options on some giveaways is following a Twitter account. I don't have one myself, and don't have the time to get one, so I don't even bother with that.

      But heck, it doesn't matter that you're the only one who doesn't like this widget. It's a free country -- and world, too, for the most part.

      Your 'rant' should be interesting -- can't wait to read it! Lol.

      Thanks for visiting and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  5. VonnieJuly 5, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    Hahaha! That's adorable! I have to admit that I did that once before for a reading challenge over on Shelfari. This took a long time because I wrote the names instead of typing them. I had my little sister help me cut them up and fold them though.

    I then progressed to using Random.org, which I still use for the reading challenges for my group. I only use Rafflecopter for my blog.

    My post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharJuly 5, 2013 at 1:34 PM

      Hi, Vonnie!

      Isn't it, though? Lol. It's great that you had your little sister to help out. But you know how time-consuming this process is. And I had no little sister to help me, since she doesn't live with me. It's just me and hubby, and I wasn't going to ask HIM to help out. Men don't have much patience for such things....

      I've never used random.org. I visited the site once, and took a look around. It sure seemed to be time-consuming, as well. So now I'm strictly a Rafflecopter girl!! Lol.

      Thanks for the visit and the comment!1 :)

      Delete
  6. Michelle SantiagoJuly 5, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    i did the exact same thing when i did my very first giveaway back in 2009. writing all names on pieces of paper sucked and then cutting them all. ARGH!! yeah, i never did that again after. i started using google forms before i discovered rafflecopter.

    i like your blog. i'm new follower via bloglovin'. hope you can stop by our FF post.

    -michelle @ Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharJuly 5, 2013 at 2:24 PM

      Hey, Michelle!

      Oh, man, does it suck!! Absolutely!! Lol. I told myself at the time, "Never again!!"

      I've never heard of Google forms, but there's no way I'll stop using Rafflecopter now. I love it too much!!

      Thank you so much for complimenting my blog! That's music to my ears!! And thanks for following via bloglovin'!!

      I'm going to follow you back!! Muchisimas gracias por un comentario tan agradable tambien!!! :)

      Delete
    2. Michelle SantiagoJuly 6, 2013 at 2:35 PM

      thank you for following back maria! :)

      Delete
    3. Maria BeharJuly 6, 2013 at 2:43 PM

      My pleasure, Michelle! You're very welcome!! : )

      Delete

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