I'm stuck at the number of followers I have now and I want to do a Giveaway. Help?

[Heidi Walsh]

Any ideas on other ways to get followers besides promoting here and on Facebook?  I'm starting to get frustrated because I really would like have my first giveaway but I'm just stuck at 122 followers (GFC).  I would greatly appreciate any input.  Thanks in advance.

 

Heidi

Pages of Gold

http://pagesofgold.blogspot.com

[Tina Martin]

What are some good items to giveaway? I'm thinking of doing a giveaway box to my followers in December and looking for some ideas.

[Heidi Walsh]

Tina,

 

If you have a book blog - I think anything book related is good for a giveaway.  Bookmarks, gift certificates for books, books, etc. 

 

Heidi

http://pagesofgold.blogspot.com

 

[Heidi Walsh]

I agree.  Also, please don't judge a blog by the fancy buttons.  I have no knowledge about how to create a fancy blog, but I'm a firm believer that it's the content that counts.  Cute is great, but read the blog.

 

David - I'm following you on GFC and Twitter.

 

Heidi

http://pagesofgold.blogspot.com

[Brian Poor]

Heidi,

I'm about to launch an e-book novel on Oct24th and definately would like some some pre-buzz.

If you're interested I'd like to set something up with you.

Would be willing to giveaway some copies of the previous Novel to help build some excitement.

 

Let me Know!

[Kathy Ann Coleman]

Aside from here and facebook, I also use GoodReads, Twitter, Blogaholic, several book blog directories that are relevant to the topic of my blog (YA books) and I link my book blog i any forums I am involved in for my other interests. I participate in Memes, making certain that I both post and respond. I pay attention to what the blogs I have followed are doing and if something catches my interest I do a post in response and make certain to contact the blogger I'm responding to. I always have some kind of poll running. I do giveaways, both on a smaller scale on my own blog and on a larger scale when I find a big event going on that catches my interest. (For example, I'm participating in Zompacolypse 2011 for Halloween this year.) 

 

I think the biggest thing I can tell you is that if you don't want to be writing into a black hole you need to make sure that you are helping other bloggers feel that what they are writing is appreciated, too. Find blogs on topics that you love and make sure that you are a regular visitor / poster of comments. You don't need to write Romeo & Juliet. Just try and find topics your friends are writing about that you like and make sure to leave a "footprint" (comment on the post). Referring to something specific that they said, making a recommendation or suggestion and tying it into the current discussion, or asking a question that fits the topic are all good ways to generate more discussion, which (in my opinion) is ultimately the point of book blogging. 

 

I hope that this is helpful!