Sunday, December 29, 2013

Contest/Product Promotion

IndiBlogger’s so called “contest” is just getting on my nerves.  To get maximum publicity for a product, many companies organize contests (thru IndiBlogger) so that bloggers write about them.
 
It’s only 11am now (December 18) and I’ve already read 5 posts on LenovoIndia.
 
Last week, I read 8 posts on Protect Against Smelly Stubble Activity.
 
The week before that, I read 7 posts on Bacardi Breezers.
 
I thought blogs are used to express our thoughts, feelings, opinions/views, ideas, and experiences.  I think of it as a vehicle to discuss ANY TOPIC that we see fit. It can also give our friends and family instant access to our thoughts and it’s kind of like our online diary.
 
IndiBlogger has changed that.  Now what I see are more and more posts on advertising products in the name of contests.  Like I said earlier, it’s a vehicle to discuss ANY TOPIC that we see fit.  So I’ll say that product promotion does fall under the “ANY TOPIC” category.  I guess there is nothing really wrong with that.  However, my problem is that I like to leave comments on people’s blogs.  What am I supposed to write as a comment?
 
I could praise their storyline (if it’s good). However, when I have to write 8 different comments on the same subject/product, I feel un-original in my comments.  I feel like I’m just copying and pasting my comments.
 
On the flip side, if I do not write a comment at all then the author might think that I never read that post.  No, I did read that post and the 8 others just like it.  So going forward, I’m thinking of only going to give a 5 word comment to any post that participates in these product promotion contests.  “Good luck with the contest.”
 
Now if you post that you won the contest, then HOORAY for you and I will “praise you like I shooooooooooould” (that’s a reference to a song by Fatboy Slim, song name is Praise You).
 
Now please do speak up, if you’ve ever won any prizes from these contests.  Thanks.
 
Happy New Year to you and your family.
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37 comments:

  1. Shilpa GargDecember 30, 2013 at 12:51 AM

    I agree with you completely on this. In fact, I see that bloggers now know what it takes to win... it is LONG LONG contest posts. So, people now write posts which have a personal story, a long poem, brand promotion, a video of some song or movie and someone even added a 55 fiction in it!
    No, I havent won any contest, ever!! :D
    A very happy new year to you and your family too :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rama AnanthDecember 30, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    I totally agree with you. Even I don't know what to comment, and many times when I know it is for a contest, I don't even bother to go and read about it. However, since, most of my blogger friends do take part in them often, I feel obliged to visit them and post comment on them, and it is true, I do feel odd about commenting on them.
    I wonder, do they need somebody to give them topics to write on regularly?
    Also some bloggers keep blogging everyday, and believe me, I see them getting comments for their blogs, by their faithful readers, I cannot understand, where they have the time and interest to do all this.
    I wish people would just write for themselves for a change, instead of waiting for topics to come their way.
    I am really glad you you brought this, and I am sure many people are not going to like it.

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  3. SGDecember 30, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    Thanks for your comments Shilpa. I am glad you agree with me.

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  4. SGDecember 30, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    Thanks for your comments Rama. To me, it is OK if they write about any product promotion once in a while. But a few bloggers exclusively write only on product promotions. I do not know what to comment.

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  5. Destination InfinityDecember 30, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    I don't like to participate in 'contests' unless there is some topic that I like very much or gets the creativity out of me. I don't like to read posts that read like an advertisement, but fortunately some bloggers are creative.

    Destination Infinity

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  6. Avada KedavraDecember 30, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    Yeah agree with you. That applies to some sponsored posts too. That's the reason why I don't comment unless I really like a post or something. Most of them write posts which are like advertisements and I have no idea what to comment on it. I don't like to give one line comments.

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  7. Who Posted This?December 30, 2013 at 7:38 PM

    Whoa SG...slow down there.
    Hey now - there is nothing wrong with people blogging about a product. (Drink Bacardi)

    I think that anyone should be able to blog about whatever they want - even product promotions. (Party Hardy with Bacardi)

    If YOU got a problem with that, then that is YOUR problem.(Bacardi is delicious and good for health and it can cure diabetes...and cancer too)

    If you don't know what to comment on their blog, that's your problem. (Young adults drinking Bacardi in excess has led to many children being born. To all humans - you're welcome. We're happy to provide assistance in re-populating the earth.)

    If you don't want to promote my product, so be it. (Go BACARDI)

    Regards,
    Facundo L. Bacardi

    ReplyDelete
  8. SGDecember 30, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    Thanks for your comments Rajesh. I do not participate in contests either. I participated in just one and it ended in a big trouble (for the contest organizer).

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  9. SGDecember 30, 2013 at 8:11 PM

    Thanks for your comments Ash. You also have a problem in commenting at infomercial posts? Join the club.

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  10. SGDecember 30, 2013 at 8:57 PM

    Thanks for your comments Facundo. Running the company handed over to you by daddy? That is cool. We all know alcohol consumption can cause major health problems. Hey FacUndo, I am glad to know drinking Bacardi can cure diabetes and cancer. You should be arrested for practicing medicine without a license.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jyotsna BhatiaDecember 30, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    SG, I think people do bring in creativity even while they are promoting products. But yes, I have seen a few people comment on contest posts which looks like its for the sake of commenting or back links.. Nevertheless, I know sometimes it does get tough to comment on everything you read..

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  12. RenuDecember 31, 2013 at 4:25 AM

    Neither I am able to write such posts so far, nor I read them..dont find them interesting..to me blog is an extention of myself..my views.

    ReplyDelete
  13. SGDecember 31, 2013 at 4:13 PM

    Thanks for your comments Jyotsna. And, welcome to my blog. Yes, I agree, some bloggers do write good stories while promoting products.

    Jyotsna, please visit here as often as possible. Thanks.

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  14. SGDecember 31, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    Thanks for your comments Renu. I agree with you.

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  15. SGDecember 31, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    Thanks for your comments Ashwini. I too have enjoyed some of the story lines in these infomercials.

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  16. BK Chowla,January 2, 2014 at 5:45 AM

    I hate this.I for one never take part in these contests.
    I hope people realise as to did they got into blogging for.

    ReplyDelete
  17. chitraJanuary 2, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    I do not participate in any blog contest. Hardly find time and always draw a blank when I have to write something about a product.Not my kind of thing.But my best wishes always go to contestants.
    Happy New year!!

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  18. KKJanuary 2, 2014 at 7:03 PM

    I myself don't like to indulge in contests, and awards etc. I feel blogging is more of a random activity. Letting someone tell you what to write kind of kills it.

    Happy New Year to you and your family, SG!

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  19. Afshan ShaikJanuary 2, 2014 at 11:17 PM

    I have won once but like U I also dont like many contests. Even we raised this in a discussion few days back (Where IB conducted Generic discussion thread on contests)- Do speak out if u feel like http://www.indiblogger.in/login.php?accesscheck=%2Fforum%2Ftopic.php?id=17820

    I too would love to write for ACTUAL creative topics. Many have that concern. Other than that contest jst help me come out of writer's block but ya I can never straight away promote the product throughhhhhh out my post. I just write a story around it if at all I can . By the I thot U liekd my TOSS Series :P

    Anyway Happy new year to U and ur family SG

    Best
    Afshan

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  20. Afshan ShaikJanuary 2, 2014 at 11:19 PM

    ignore the typos and missed words in my prev comment

    ReplyDelete
  21. AshaJanuary 3, 2014 at 11:15 AM

    At times, it is easier to write the main blog posts but difficult to write comments. I have faced a similar situation about writing comments on some posts but not on contest posts, but on some preachy posts or judgmental posts.

    I believe some of the contest posts are more creative and brings out the latent talent of many bloggers in the form of poets and story writers. I find them better than rant or cynical posts. For instance, when i picked up a random lenovo entry, the blogger had creatively drawn analogy with english words like tablet,windows,crashes, hanging etc and yogic poses with the tab.

    I write them too when i can relate to the prompts and products like Dabur.But i don't relate to bacardi or that stubble prompt:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. SGJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:08 PM

    Thanks for your comments Mr. Chowla. I do not like to participate either.

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  23. SGJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:09 PM

    Thanks for your comments Chitra. I agree.

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  24. SGJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:11 PM

    Thanks for your comments Karunesh. As you said, letting someone else to choose what you have to write about, defeats the purpose of personal blogging.

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  25. SGJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:22 PM

    Thanks for your comments Afshan. I did like your TOSS series. Showed an innovative style of writing.

    Congratulations for winning in a contest.

    Afshan, don't worry about the typos. I can understand the sentences.

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  26. SGJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:24 PM

    Thanks for your comments Asha. I do not mind reading these infomercials. But I find difficult to write any sincere comment.

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  27. SandhyaJanuary 3, 2014 at 8:14 PM

    I have never participated in any contest until now...I can't just switch on and write about something about which I know nothing about! Writing comments on these contest post also is difficult. All the best is the only comment I could write!

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  28. SGJanuary 3, 2014 at 9:08 PM

    Thanks for your comments Sandhya. I too cannot write comments on such infomercials..

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  29. Afshan ShaikJanuary 4, 2014 at 12:49 AM

    Thanks for liking them. They were written mocking the contest theme. Anyway if U dont mind do change the comments template . Would be easy to reply :)
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  30. UnknownJanuary 5, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    Thanks for your interesting point of view. I see what you are saying. Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  31. ReshmaJanuary 6, 2014 at 9:07 AM

    Hmmm I get finger-tied sometimes, not knowing what to comment. Some of the posts are really well written and merit a comment purely on the presentation, otherwise it is the "Good luck" statement.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Camila Rafaela FelippiJanuary 6, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    Sometimes I don't know what to comment because I didn't understand very well the post, and I create my blog really to don't need to open the Google Translate. I write my posts, my English teacher helps me, but when I read the other blogs, it's difficult to understand some words. When I see this kind of blogs (with contest posts)I thing a lot, because I have no idea what to comment. Now I know: “Good luck with the contest.” It's a good ideia, I like when people opine truth!

    Happy new yeaar! :D

    ReplyDelete
  33. SGJanuary 6, 2014 at 1:30 PM

    Thanks for your comments Afshan. I have no idea how to change the comments template. My blog guru, Insignia, is on vacation. Will ask her help when she returns.

    ReplyDelete
  34. SGJanuary 6, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    Thanks for your comments Lady Lilith. I appreciate your visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2014 at 3:13 PM

    I feel it too. I don't care much for these posts or either. I never participated and never will. But, I guess people write for different reasons. And I don't feel obligated to comment on all these posts. Some, I skip reading too. But, if I find the story creative or touching for some reason, I do leave a note.

    ReplyDelete
  36. SGJanuary 6, 2014 at 7:49 PM

    Thanks for your comments Dil. And, welcome to my blog. I am with you. If the storyline is good, I leave a comment.

    Dil, please visit here as often as possible. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Sindhu Devi KJanuary 16, 2014 at 6:33 AM

    Felt the same during the PASS contest days... For the whole month people were writing and only a handful of posts were having a fresh content...

    It is OK when there is a contest in Indiblogger, at a time all the posts will appear and until we are fed up, we can read and comment. And such contest brings out the creativity of a contestant where they don't know what others have written but try to bring out their best.

    Well, I am new to Indiblogger and have participated in only 2 of the contests(not won any or result not yet declared) which seemed relevant to my blog. Right now loaded with work and so planned not to participate in any contests for sometimes.

    Regards,
    Sindhu

    ReplyDelete

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