Ethics Question: Would you allow family and friends to enter your giveaways?

[Kathleen Garber]

I know a lot of people's family and friends don't even read their blogs but do you or would you let them enter your giveaways? If you are using random.org to pick a winner I don't see why not. They would win fair and square if they do right?

What do you think?

[Kathleen Garber]

I originally thought as long as it's random it's okay but reading other's thoughts has opened my eyes to the fact of pretty much what you said. The point of a giveaway of course is to drum up interest in the book. Also the person who wins gets a chance to read a book they may not have been able to buy (like you said) or might not have picked up otherwise.

As for family being able to read your copy, it's not always that easy. Sometimes it's a matter of they want to own a copy (like a cookbook or something where you can't just read it) or a few times I've given away a book I didn't get a review copy for (although that's few and far between) however I'm starting to think I shouldn't allow family to enter.

[Aronald Harper]

I'm going to add something. People out here in blog world, please don't think that just because it's random it means it's fair. In most scenarios, random implies it's unfair. Most things that are fair require thought and consideration of the subject matter. You don't just throw it off into the wind and figure that because the wind blew it there then fate made it right. I'm under the belief that if you have a chance to make a decision you make it. Don't let someone or something make it for you.

Author's opinion again. Sorry. It's a good subject.

[Kathleen Garber]

Good point. I agree. I guess random really isn't that fair. Many times I've been slightly annoyed that I did the work to gain 5+ entries into a giveaway and the winner is someone who just did the mandatory comment for one entry.

I like the idea given before of having entrants answer a question and having the author/sponsor of the giveaway pick the best answer as a winner.

[Aronald Harper]

I'd let friends and family enter but I wouldn't let them win. If they just want to show face and support because sometimes it looks good to have a certain amount of people in the drawing then that's fine. I would let them enjoy the process. It's almost like me holding a book giveaway and entering so that I wouldn't have to ship out so many books. Oh, but I won randomly. Great. What I would do, if they really want to win a contest, I would help them research a great contest that I heard about with my blog buddy connections and tell them to enter those giveaways. I'd point them in the direction of that author and have them check out other promotions he/she might be having. Chances are they didn't only have one on your blog. If it wasn't a promotional copy, then all the reason to remain professional. "You can't win this one. It's my only one." A persons family wanting to be involved is a great way to help promote other blogs that might promote yours some time soon. It's a way get that author more exposure. And if nothing else it's a great way to remain reputable.

At least that's what one author thinks.

[Heather Justesen]

I've never had any of my siblings enter my giveaways, though I've had a couple of cousins enter. I've used random.org for a while now, so I don't think there's a problem. It's far more likely that one of my writer friends will win my giveaway than a family member, simply because far more of them enter. =)

[Gwen Stackler]

I wouldn't feel comfortable in allowing family to enter. Yes, I use random.org, but it would still be lessening the chances for others.

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

Hi, Callista! I'm resurrecting this old thread because I'm hosting my first contest/giveaway right now, and that issue has just come up.

When I wrote my first answer, my book blog was very new and most of my readers were family and friends. Now that I have readers whom I don't need to guilt-trip into reading me (LOL!), I find that I have a very different view of things . . .

My contest/giveaway offers a Filipino book (written in or translated into English, of course!) to one reader. It's international because I'd like to give someone who lives in another country the chance to read a good book that he might otherwise never even run into. As expected, most of those who have expressed interest are international readers. Most fellow Filipinos can just walk to a bookstore, if they're interested in the titles I'm offering.

However, another Filipino has joined and is trying his freaking best to win! =( While I'm glad that he's so enthusiastic, I don't think it's fair.

I discussed this with some friends, and they said, "Let him enter. Just don't let him win."

Well, I have the rest of the month to decide what to do, before I have to draw the winner . . .

[Kathleen Garber]

Hmm that's a dilemma. You don't know this Filipino right? But you just wanted someone in another country to experience the book right?

If you didn't specify that it was those outside of your country, then he has the right to enter. You could just not let him win but that depends on how you feel about it. would you feel really bad like you did something wrong? Or do you feel it's more fair that way? Each person thinks differently on this idea of course.

I had a problem with a couple of giveaways where a bunch of people with the same last name entered and I don't know if they just told all their family to enter or if they all live in the same house. So I decided (since I was picking multiple winners) that I would only allow one of them to win. Luckily random.org didn't pick more than one and I didn't have to do that. I've had my mom enter a contest but only if it's something she would want to, not as an extra entry for me. Not sure if that's what they were doing or what.

For next time, decide who you want to win (anyone, someone outside your country etc.) and make it clear in the giveaway instructions.

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

Thanks for your thoughts, Callista. =)

What complicates the matter further is that this reader is someone who has met me in real life! He's not a friend or anything; but in the event that he wins, I am in a position to say, "Let me give you your prize over coffee!" =P

Since this is my first contest/giveaway, I'm still learning as I go. (And there's more to learn than I thought! LOL!) I plan to host another one in about six months, and when I do, I'll be very, very clear that I am closing it to everyone in the same country!

PS--I discussed my dilemma with a third friend, who has said that it would be too dishonest to let someone enter but not "let" him win--especially since this contest/giveaway involves accumulating points by leaving comments, joining linkups, etc. I had to agree that he was right, and that is why this person is still in the running for that prize! I do feel funny about it, though . . .

[Kathleen Garber]

Yes if entering is more than just leaving a comment, and requires work, it's not fair to let him do all that for nothing. See my giveaway items are shipped from a company so I wouldn't be able t give the prize over coffee because it doesn't come from me.

[Marty Shaw]

I've told my family about my blog...but don't think they actually check it out. How sad is that???

As far as friends go, I don't have a problem with them entering contests. Random.org doesn't play favorites and it's my normal way of choosing winners.

[Kathleen Garber]

That's how I originally thought as I use random.org too but some people have made some good comments here that have me thinking. It really dependson the purpose of a giveaway. If you are just giving away something you bought yourself, it doesn't matter.

But for those of us doing giveaways sponsored by companies, the purpose of the giveaway is to get info about the product out to as many people as possible, hoping that those who don't win will buy it. My friends and family I talk to about the product already and I could buy them the item for a gift anyways. I'm trying to get someone I don't know and opportunity to get an item they may not have bought themselves.