Blog Hops and Special Events - What are Your Favorites? - Are they worth the effort? Love em' or hate em'?

[Lynda Coker]

Most blog owners love to participate in a few yearly Hops or Special Events. Please share you thoughts on any of the points below.

• Can you tell us the top events you look forward to each year?
• What makes these stand out for you?
  
• How does your blog benefit?
  
• Would you rather host or just participate in such events?
• How would you score the effort verses reward factor of hosting such events?
• As a participant, are they enjoyable and worth your time?
• Do you think there are too few, or too many of these events yearly?
• Have you ever hosted such an event, or would you like to in the future
• Any other thoughts you would like to share?
• Do you like events to be international in scope, or smaller?
• 
  

Blogmania Central - NEXT BLOGMANIA EVENT - SEPTEMBER 15th and 16th.

[Jennifer M.]

I'm also a bit confused by your posting and would just like some clarification. What is the big Book Blogger Database?

I started a Book Blogger Hop on a whim, just to find other like-minded book bloggers. People can choose to participate...or not. It's supposed to be a fun way to connect with other bloggers, share our love of books, and make new friends.

[The Girl from the Ghetto]

Jennifer - Oh, plenty of good people do the hops for fun, as I'm sure you did, but some have learned to beat the system. I don't want to say what the database is, just do some research and you should find it quickly.

[Amanda Markham]

I have a peeve at the moment, too, that Google seems to be unwittingly aiding through its 'Friend Follow' widget. There is a plague of people trying to get followers by giving away a book, and using a Google form, you are rewarded 'points' for promoting their blog.

I'm sorry - but I'm not going to promote your blog by bribery. I'll promote your blog because you've got AWESOME content.

Another thing: How many badges, widgets and other bling do you need in your sidebars, really? I saw a blog this week that was so cluttered with flashing, beeping badges and other bling, they were double or triple-imposed on each other.

GGRRRR!!! Ok. Time for a red wine and some chillax!

[Marian Perera]

I agree about having too many graphics on a blog. Those may also make it slow to load, and if it's taking some time to access a blog, I may not keep trying.

And I'd like people to follow my blog because they enjoy what I write, so when I do giveaways there's no requirement to be a follower or any additional entries for being one.

[The Girl from the Ghetto]

I agree with you!

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

I'm hosting a contest/giveaway at the moment, and I'm not awarding any points for someone who is a follower.

On the other hand, I've found three or four internationally open giveaways at other blogs that do require one to be a follower, and I've signed up for those. So right now, my "Blogs I Follow" list on my Blogger profile is almost completely meaningless! ;-)

PS--This reminds me: I promoted my own contest at a weekly "event" and attracted two people who were ecstatic that it was international and yet did nothing but leave the obligatory comment and their contact details. My contest is points-based, with my top commenter of the month getting up to ten extra points, because it is the participation from my readers that I treasure and want to reward. Well, what did I expect after joining a linkup on a blog with over 700 followers, aye? LOL! But I think it's sort of insulting to say, "Hey, I've never read you before, but you're offering something free, so count me in!" Then again, that appears to be the culture of the book blogosphere, doesn't it?

[Jillian Raymundo]

I don't require people to be followers for my contests either.. however, I guess I can see the point if it's a 'Followers' giveaway.

[Julie Smith]

OH! I do giveaways on my site, but I always make the first entry something simple, like a comment on the best thriller the reader has read. I DO, however, allow an extra entry for a follow, and 2 entries for someone who's already following. I do this because, of course, I'd like to have more followers, but also because I've entered giveaways in the past where that was an option, and chose NOT to follow, because the content of the blog wasn't something I'd really want to try to weed through in my reader each day.

One thing I've never done is enter a giveaway where the mandatory entry includes (follow/subscribe/like on facebook) ... even if the prize was something I really really really wanted and even if the blog was one that I'd normally WANT to follow! LOL! Just really turns me off!

[April]

I actually like contests, but I don't enter if they have a million extra entries. I personally enjoy hosting contests to clear off my shelves, I keep finished copies but not ARCs, so I find that giving them away promotes the book AND gives someone else the chance to review it.

[Rachel]

I agree! I hate having to promote a persons blog in order to win a contest. Sometimes I do (if the blog is actually really good) but I still don't feel good doing it.

I have been thinking of holding a giveaway for a while but I have no idea how to go about this. I resent the "you must be a follower" thing.. I resent extra entries.. I resent it all .. lol ... so I haven't bothered myself as I don't want to fall into that trap.

[Lynda Coker]

Hi Chelsea and Girl from the Ghetto,
Thanks for stopping by. Chelsea, I'm sure if you keep up with all the comments here, you'll soon have a good overview of these events.
Girl from the Ghetto, Thanks for taking the time to post a comprehensive opinion. One of the reasons I love forums is because you can find such varied perspectives on the subjects presented. It never hurts to see any situation through someone elses eyes.

[Doreen McGettigan]

I participate in Friday Fragments hosted by halfpastkissintime; every Friday. It is easy and I have doubled my followers in 2 weeks. I occasionally try to do something at SITS..it is all very time consuming but I think worth the time.