How do you tally entries for giveaways

[Jenny Reed]

I was wondering about this but the other post about giveaways reminded me, how do you keep track of all the people who enter your giveaways and enter them into the random generator? Do you just go through and type them in when it's over or is there a better way?

[Jaime Huff]

I use random.org.

What I do is, I print up all the comments, and number them 1-? based. Then enter the numbers in random.org and it will tell me what the numbers are that are winners. Hope this helps.

[Jenny Reed]

Oh that's good... so you don't actually put the names into random.org?

[Jaime Huff]

Not at all! If you go to random.org, to the right on the main screen is a spot where you can input numbers and it will randomly generate numbers for you!

[Anysia]

I used to do the things mentioned, but it got to be too much. I've started using a submission form tied to a google spreadsheet. I just have to go in and count the entries for each line, then when I have the total for all go to random.org and have it pick a number.

[Froggarita]

Anysia,
do you have a link or anything I can get something like that with? I tried looking 2 days ago for a form but couldn't find what i wanted...any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hugs,
Froggy

http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com/

[Anysia]

I'll assume you know how to make a Google docs spreadsheet (let me know if you don't). When you are in the spreadsheet, there is a tab at the top that says 'Form' (same tab that has File, Edit, etc.). You can make one there. The 'Embed' option in the 'Form' tab will give you the code you need to paste into your web page.

[Vicki]

I added html that adds a number cloud beside each reply so I don't have to write down the names. All I have to do is go to random.org and put in the number of posts and it gives me the winning numbers. Then I go to my giveaway post and see whose names match those numbers and email them that they won.
Here is the url of the site I used if you'd like to add the number clouds to your blog.