coolmompicks is a fantastic site to get featured on. It gets so much traffic it’s nuts. I’ll be really interested to see if this converts to a spike in sales for you!

Yep. I got one sale out of the 600 some odd unique visitors. I dont’ think that’s very great. Anyone else do giveaways?

Just kidding. That was great for one site. I need that kind of traffic everyday and we will be happy. :-)

I’m planning on doing a GRAND OPENING next month. Does anyone have any advice or tips on doing this??? :-)

www.Starboo.Wordpress.com

Depending on what you sell – be careful. There are a few sites out there (portals ala forums) that are designed specifically to promote the Sweepstakes odds in their favor. Unfortunately, they’re turning a sweet incentive into circus for scavengers.

Recently, I’ve been doing giveaways to promote my site, but suddenly, it was a matter of people coming out of the woodwork who didn’t know my work, just wanted free product.

My original thought for doing giveaways was to thank my customers for supporting me and encouraging me to continue my passion. As an artist, I provide original art, limited editions, including home decor, stationery, jewelry featuring my designs that are all hand made by me. Additionally, giveaways can be expensive -the cost of gas is making my free shipping offer potentially prohibitive.

The primary reason I believe, is that these portals were set up to beat the big boys like Masters & Johnson, General Mills and the like, and I’ll definitely use a coupon or consider joining a contest. You need diapers for your kid? I’ll help. You need medicine for your ill dog? I’ll be right there.

However, for fine artist like myself who works 24/7 designing and developing pieces to keep my customers interested, managing my business from all the pithy admin stuff (who likes that?) to maintaining my Web site, submit applications to shows, work with clients on imagery…

~deep breath~

I begin to resent those who sole purpose is founded on one main principal: “Get Anything You Can for Free, No Matter What the Cost.” My art is a luxury item, not a staple in one’s life and unfortunately, bottom feeders like these have blurred the ‘value’ of art into mass market products. Some have even shown false pretenses and promised to ‘buy something later’ but never have.

My solution? I’ll let my current giveaway run it’s course (I’ve had to enable comment moderation to determine if the person is a true enthusiast) and then run subsequent giveaways to my Mewsmembers who have subscribed to my Mewsletter. Their info is locked with me and I’m hoping that enrolling in Shopify, I’ll enable coupons, exclusive membership rights, and such to those who are genuinely devoted.

This has been my recent experience and may not reflect on every giveaway each of you create. I recommend that you put rules and regulations in place and are mindful of your customers.

You can read my blog giveaway contest here:
http://ecstewart.blogspot.com/2008/06/whatever-chablis-shall-be-wine-coaster.html

You can read an example of my Web site promotion special terms here:
http://www.calligraphypets.com/specials/ab/specialterms.html

HTH and best of luck!

Hi Starlooks Boutique,

I just opened my online shop two weeks ago – scary to think you need about 600 visits per sale!

I did an offer where people had a free chance of winning €100 voucher if they signed up for the newsletter and I was disappointed with the number that signed up – so hard to tell if giveaways work. Are you thinking of giving a free gift if they spend over a certain amount, that’s the only way I’d do it now really.

All the best, Lorna

www.garrendennylane.ie

(need to find out how to add my profile – first post!)

Yeah, been wondering if anyone has sufficient data on give aways as I am also contemplating it. specifically would giving discounts be more better then giving give aways.

Jason
www.customkicksonline.com