what is the PURPOSE of book contests that

[SidneReadz]

include so many rules or options?

can someone please tell me why does one opt to have so many steps or rules to enter a book giveaway.  I've read things such as:

must have three comments this week 

blog about the give away and provide link

post about the blog on facebook you get

tweet about blog on twitter you get.   

What is the purpose!!

Why can't we just sponsor a good ole fashion contest. sign your name, put it in a bag, pull a name, notify the winner. GHEZZZz!  

however I do think its okay if people are asked to be subscribers or followers.  

[nicole henke]

its quid pro quo on some- some publishers like the extra pr/members of newsletters, followers for authors, and ask for that to be an OPTION

 

requiring 3 entries for week is crazy- all of the extra entries are just that- EXTRA ways to get more entries. you dont have to do them unless you want to.

 

personally i've won on giveaways when i entered once and where i entered 10 times, you never now which random number will be picked!

[Blodeuedd]

Promotion is the word.

 

I usually do not have all those extra entries cos I do not do them if I enter a contest so.. But lately I have had one rule, and that is to ask the author something. Cos most of my giveaways come with an author interview or something. And how fun is it for the author to see "Please enter me", so I do it for them :)

[Jaime Huff]

It's to gain exposure for their blog (increased traffic and unique visitors opens up more doors for PR).  I did that when I was a newer blogger.  Now I don't care.  LOL.  I post it, if you enter leave your email and just be within the demographics that is required by the company I am posting the giveaway for (i.e. US/Canada, International, etc).  They are exhausting and I won't waste my time or energy on them, so I won't do it to anybody else.

 

Last day to enter for a copy of the book Celebrating Love http://tinyurl.com/6dut5y4

[Evangeline Han]

Honestly, I think that all the contest rules is the prerogative of the blogger. If I really, really want the book, then I'd just follow the rules. If not, I'd just close the tab. Most of the times, I enter giveaways that solely requires me to comment with my email address. If I think the book might make a good read, then I might tweet or follow the blog but I won't go beyond those. :)

I do know that the majority of blog readers don't really want to waste too much time entering a giveaway so I keep mine simple. Anyone who wants to enter should comment in the post to be entered. I do have the option of additional entries where they can subscribe to my blog, tweet, FB post, and blog post the giveaway. I do feel kinda bad about all these because I am not the one giving away the book; I am just hosting the giveaway. It is as if I am piggybacking on the author or publisher for blog readers. :P Even after all of this, whether the entrant work out the additional entries doesn't really matter because the winner is picked using random.org.