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This Week's Question
Are the giveaways on your blog
publisher-sponsored giveaways,
or giveaways of your own books?
(submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)
My Answer
When I first started blogging, I only wrote reviews, as well as what I call 'literary musings'. With time, however, I saw the need to attract more followers, and so I began including giveaways. I also started signing up for blog tours, in order to create more variety on the blog.
My giveaways are a combination of self-hosted and giveaways hosted by blog tour companies, with some blog hop giveaways included. I don't have direct contact with publishers, so none of my giveaways are publisher-sponsored. Most ot the books sponsored by blog tour companies are written by Indie authors, so it's the authors who are the real sponsors.
When hosting my own giveaways, I usually offer books as prizes, and most of my giveaways are international. Therefore, I use The Book Depository for them. I have yet to offer an Amazon gift card or PayPal cash in a giveaway, but I might do so sometime in the future.
As for the "my own books" part of the question, I interpreted this to mean books that I own. Later, it occurred to me that this might mean books that I have written. I guess it could be interpreted either way.
To answer the first interpretation, I haven't written any books, although perhaps someday I will (if that day ever comes, sigh...).
As for the second interpretation, I don't normally offer books that I own as prizes. If I really don't like a book, I will get rid of it, usually by donating it to Goodwill. A couple of years ago, though, I did give away two of my books. They were part of Lauren Kate's "Fallen" series. I was totally disgusted by the last book in this series, so decided to get rid of it, as well as ANY book I owned that was part of the series. I might do the same with A Court of Thorns and Roses, as I wasn't too happy with that book, either. I'm hesitating to offer it as a prize, though, because of those post office lines!
I sometimes participate in blog hop giveaways. These are giveaways hosted by a blog that includes a Linky widget in their giveaway post. Participating blogs then link up to the hosting blog through the widget.
I will be participating in two blog hop giveaways before the end of the year; in fact, one of them is coming up next week! You can check them out below!
My giveaways are a combination of self-hosted and giveaways hosted by blog tour companies, with some blog hop giveaways included. I don't have direct contact with publishers, so none of my giveaways are publisher-sponsored. Most ot the books sponsored by blog tour companies are written by Indie authors, so it's the authors who are the real sponsors.
When hosting my own giveaways, I usually offer books as prizes, and most of my giveaways are international. Therefore, I use The Book Depository for them. I have yet to offer an Amazon gift card or PayPal cash in a giveaway, but I might do so sometime in the future.
As for the "my own books" part of the question, I interpreted this to mean books that I own. Later, it occurred to me that this might mean books that I have written. I guess it could be interpreted either way.
To answer the first interpretation, I haven't written any books, although perhaps someday I will (if that day ever comes, sigh...).
As for the second interpretation, I don't normally offer books that I own as prizes. If I really don't like a book, I will get rid of it, usually by donating it to Goodwill. A couple of years ago, though, I did give away two of my books. They were part of Lauren Kate's "Fallen" series. I was totally disgusted by the last book in this series, so decided to get rid of it, as well as ANY book I owned that was part of the series. I might do the same with A Court of Thorns and Roses, as I wasn't too happy with that book, either. I'm hesitating to offer it as a prize, though, because of those post office lines!
I sometimes participate in blog hop giveaways. These are giveaways hosted by a blog that includes a Linky widget in their giveaway post. Participating blogs then link up to the hosting blog through the widget.
I will be participating in two blog hop giveaways before the end of the year; in fact, one of them is coming up next week! You can check them out below!
What are your thoughts on
this topic?
Please leave a comment!
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own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one
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Thanks for visiting!!!
I used to run giveaways with books of my own, but now only do giveaways when authors or publishers provide the book.
ReplyDeleteAnother amazing answer, Maria.
I hope you are having a good weekend.
Happy Hopping!!
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog Hop Answer
Hi, Elizabeth!
DeleteI've only run giveaways with my own books a couple of times. I much prefer to either use The Book Depository for prizes, or pot blog tour giveaways. Post office lines are not my idea of fun! Lol.
Thanks for the compliment, and for commenting back!! Hope you're having a good weekend, too! Happy Hopping!! <3 :)
I don't participate in this meme, but I'll give my two cents anyway.
ReplyDeleteI am like you: I pay for my giveaways, and if the blog tour is on my blog, the giveaway is hosted by author/publishing house.
However, there will be a giveaway in less then 2 weeks on my blog, sponsored by a smaller publishing house, as they offered to sponsor giveaway for the book I will be reviewing (that's so kind of them).
I, just like you, started participating in giveaway hops to attract readers. When I wasn't a blogger, the only blogs I read were the ones I found out about because of giveaway hops.
I'll also participate in 2 giveaways next week.
And as for my own books, oh, that shipping is really pain in the *ss, I have books I'd like to give away, but it's cheaper to donate them because the shipping costs like a new book from TBD.
Hi, Irena!
DeleteI've noticed, while surfing the blogosphere, that some blogs ask for donations in order to cover giveaway prizes. I just don't feel comfortable doing that. In my opinion, then people aren't really getting prizes, since they're actually paying for them.
Since I'm not in direct contact with publishers -- whether large or small -- I host blog tour giveaways, which are actually sponsored by the authors who are promoting their books through the tours.
Giveaway hops are a lot of fun! You can go from blog to blog and enter as many of these contests as you want. I am never able to get around to ALL the blogs, lol. There are just so many!
I always use TBD for my own giveaways, as shipping books myself is SO inconvenient! Glad you agree!
I'll be sure to check out your giveaways next week!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a GREAT comment!! <3 :)
I also saw on twitter that some bloggers ask for donations for their anniversary Like "My 1year of blogging is approaching, is there anyone who'd like to donate prize?", and UK authors tend to agree, but I so do not feel comfortable to ask. Idk why, because if others can, why not try, right?
DeleteMy blogoversary is on January, right after December blog hops, but I don't think I will ask for donations. I think I'll just sponsor myself a giveaway, just like you did, and that's that.
Hi, again!
DeleteYes, I TOTALLY agree. I don't ask for monetary donations, and never will, either. It's never occurred to me to ask authors to donate their books, but I wouldn't do that, either.
I'll be watching out for your blogoversary in January!! Thanks for letting me know!!
Also, thanks for commenting again!! <3 :)
Well, I'm seriously thinking about joining this Book Blogger Hop. Great topics to discuss!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been blogging that long, but when I first started, I thought about running a giveaway one day. Like you say, they are a good way to attract more followers. I still think about it, and I'm pretty sure I'll do that in the future. But if I ever go for it, I'll definitely give away a book that I own - unless I receive a colaboration from a publishing house. The reason? I don't have a credit card - that's why you'll see me entering giveaways all the time, including yours: they're my only chance to get to buy a book from TBD ahaha *seizing the opportunity to thank you for making your giveaways international ;)* Plus, I've always thought it'd be nice to include some goodies in the prize, to make it more personal and fun - I don't know, candies, cute post its, bookmarks and a little note thanking my follower for reading my blog ahaha *just rambling*
Here in Argentina, things are a little bit different. Giveaway prizes are usually specific books, provided by publishing houses. Sometimes you even have to go to the office yourself to pick the book - if you win.
¡¡Un abrazo grande, María!! ♥
P.S.: I'm really excited to read A court of thorns and roses, since I've read so many people raving about it! Sorry to hear that you didn't like it :(
Hi, Antonela!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would LOVE it if you participated in this meme! There are indeed many great topics to discuss! I hope you do decide to join in!! :)
You say you can't host giveaways because you don't have a credit card? Well, have you heard of PayPal? This is a website you can use to pay for online purchases, at places like Amazon, eBay, and The Book Depository, as well! You just need to open an account with them. And it's FREE, too!
Just go to Google and look up PayPal. Then go their sign up page and open an account. And that's it!
You're very welcome for my international giveaways!! I think it's only fair to do that, since I have readers from different parts of the world, and not just in the USA. Plus, I LOVE The Book Depository!!
I really like your idea of including "goodies" in a giveaway prize, but I would only be able to do that if I were to ship books myself. I don't want to have to go to the post office and stand in line. Plus, the shipping could get expensive. So I can't do this..... :(
Oh, how exciting, to go and pick up your book prize in person!! AWESOME!!
As for "A Court of Thorns and Roses", I loved the book until I got to the last third of it. There are some things that happen that I strongly object to, from a moral standpoint. Plus, these things are not appropriate for a YA novel. However, the writing was gorgeous, and the characters wonderful! I did give the book four stars because of these things. If you want, go check out my review. You'll find it by clicking on "Book Reviews", located under my blog header.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a WONDERFUL comment!! And I SO hope you decide to join the Book Blogger Hop!!!
¡¡Un abrazo bien grande para tí tambien!!
♥♥Mari♥♥