Win a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate from Simply Thrifty
April 7, 2008 by Deborah Ng
Filed under Contests and Giveaways
I’ve been remiss. I know you’re all out there because I see the numbers, but I haven’t been very diligent about encouraging discussion. My favorite part of blogging is building up a community and discussing my favorite topics with those who visit my blogs. I have lots of visitors, but comments….not so much.
All that ends today.
I’m going to award the most prolific commenter for the month of April a $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com. That’s right, $25 just to spend on you. A frivolous splurge except I’m footing the bill.
The rules?
- You have to offer something to the discussion. To say “I agree” doesn’t count.
- Debate and disagree if you like, but do be nice.
- Have fun.
Simply Thrifty will be hosting more contests in the future so I do hope you’ll come by often….and comment!!!
LRN
I know what you mean about comments! I started my blog just for family, but started feeling greedy about having a large reader base. Sometimes I wish I didn’t know how many people read it! Comments always make us feel loved…anyway, getting a jump on the contest =) I’ve got a lo-o-ng book wish list!
I usually don’t start commenting on a board just because they have this type of contest - it seems greedy. But since I’ve been commenting a bit here lately anyway, I’m in.
Now that Amazon sells mp3’s, I know exactly what the gift certificate will be spent on if I win.
This is a great way to get people to starting commenting, especially if they’re like me and need to delurk. I’ve visited your site forever, and I promise to make a better effort at commenting!
I believe that comments are the best part of the post. I enjoy reading what others have to say. I think that cooments should always relate to the original post, but there are some that some how manage to turn it into something else.
Expressing yourself is a great way to make friends (or ememies) becasue people can find someone that they can relate to.
I admit that I read all of Deb’s blogs and sometimes I agree with her and some times not so much. If I agree I try to respond, but there are times when I do not agree I just read instead.
I think Deb’s blogs do spark some excitement in people which is great. Sometimes she does set off to many sparks. LOL
Always enjoy reading your posts and the comments.
Pam
Community building is what the internet should be all about. I do comment from time to time, but thought there’s no time like the present, especially when there’s free Amazon up for grabs!
I love me some Amazon. I think this is a great way to get people to participate . And a whole lot cheaper than those grocery store promotions that give you a $25 gift card if you spend a gazillion dollars with them in a month. Is this starting today? Or beginning April 1st?
Welcome new friends, old friends and reformed lurkers. I hope you’ll continue to participate long after this contest has ended.
I am a lurker, I guess now is a good of a time to delurk as any. And I also heart amazon.
Oh, yes. I could use a nice gift certificate!!!!! I can justify spending someone else’s money on something frivilous! lol
I love comments on others’ blogs as well as my own because I get to see so many different perspectives in one spot.
I’m always trying to come up with direct questions to make my readers comment back. I’ve had a fair number of visitors to my site, but only a handful comment regularly. Phooey.
Aside from contests, what are some other tips you guys have for bringing the lurkers out? I’ve been promised South American beauty tips and mascara curiosities, yet those comments never show up on my site.
And am I the only one who, upon receiving a verbal comment about my blog from someone I know in person, says, “Ok, thanks, now go post it on my blog!”? LOL Anything to get the comments rolling and/or make me feel like I’m not just sitting around typing to myself or my 20-foot purple wall.
Mommy Beauty, I know exactly what you mean! Some people told me they didn’t want to go through the process of getting an ID or whatever…oh well…
my name is zero and i too am a lurker. It started long ago when much younger, i feared confrontation. Being older and wiser now, I welcome it.
However, I must add that it’s easy to comment here; there’s not too much confrontation involved in
swapping ideas!
Let’s see….Amazon i would use for…. a book or more than likely, a retro game for my child!
love to read and follow links from comments.. I get the best ideas to pass along to friends!!
keep up the good work!
Mommy Beauty and Drama Mama -
I think the most frustrating thing is for friends and family to e-mail me comments about my blog! Leave it on the blog!
I’ve tried explaining why I’d like them to, but I think those that e-mail are reading my blog because it’s mine and aren’t blog readers in general.
Hmmm…you know what to do to get people to start commenting! I do love your website. I have gotten so many good ideas off here. Thanks for all the work you do!
Contests help lure people in, that’s for sure. I started commenting because of the contests. I started on the sites of someone I know. When someone else would post other contest links on to the I branched out to that. I actually won a beading magazine for my daughter once. I’ve gone on to the blog roll and looked on other sites to read blogs that are about things of interest to me.
I asked a blogger, if my comments are dumb, and should I bother. She told me that comments are great and yes, I should comment. So I do - even on sites without contests and people I know. Start with the contests and move on to more. I’m a part time lurker, who sometimes joins in sometimes now.
So Deb are you feeling flooded w/comments yet =)? Hope you enjoy all the chatter!
I’m making it a point to read more blogs that might be similar to mine. I’m honestly trying to add to the discussion. It is a real challenge sometimes to come out of myself (I’m always all up in coding, widgets, whatever) - I think your contest is an awesome idea, I was thinking of doing one also for a $25 Best Buy gift card. Well I’m off to look at your posts and learn what I can and comment comment comment. I love shopping at Amazon! Thanks Simply Thrifty for the chance to win a gift card!
What a awesome idea- I love commenting and learning from others and providing feedback.
I don’t have any suggestions for chopping the branches, but you can use a leaf blower on vacuum setting to shred the leaves, or a mower with a bag attachment. They make great mulch. I have seen rustic-looking fences made from branches tied with twine, if you go for that look. Great blog, thanks!
I look at the blog comments too, just to see who is linking up. If they’ve got a contest or an interesting website name, or freebies of any kind, it might entice me over to another site.
Comments are where I get most of my ideas. I look and see what my community wants to talk about and what suggestions they’re offering.
@cheapchick - Our leaf blower does have a shredding option but it just died out. We can rent a chipper shredder but at this point I’d rather buy one.
JUNK MAIL, OLD MAGAZINES, ADS SENT THOU MAIL. ALWAYS TAKE YOUR NAME OFF ITEM. THEN PUT THEM IN RECYCLE BIN. I AM SO HAPPY WE HAVE A RECYCLE TRUCK COME BY EVERY WED. AND PICK UP RECYCLED ITEMS
I am not a good or prolific commenter. I do try commenting a lot especially the last month or so. When it comes to comments or blogging for contest I believe there are really professions out there that always win. I won’t give up though. I really could use the $25.00 gift certificate to buy books with. I am out of a job due to health problems, trying to get disability and my husband and I are getting by on his little check. I used to be a nurse and we were used to that money. Well sorry, enough about me. I do want to thank you having these contest/giveaways. I know you will be rewarded for your generosity. Goodluck to everyone!
I would use the gift certificate to buy some books and would attempt to try and buy the neccesities that are needed for our family. I would search until I found a necessity versus just wanting an item. Thank you for this contest.
Gee, how lucky-the winner gets to lurk @ Amazon!
I love amazon and i really am not sure what i would buy if i won. I enjoy blogging alot.
I love Amazon, & I’m a newbie at this blogging thing,thanks for the contest!!
BTW—are ya feeling the pain at the gas pump? I live in Virginia Beach and its at an average $3.40/gallon. OUCH! I’ve got 5 kids to cart around to various activities and I work nights as an RN at a local hospital….ugh! Pres Bush issued an equally ridiculous comment about “..not having a magic wand to fix the gas problem..” What gives???!!
Amazon!! I love to shop there! I would buy more books
I don’t want to say that I’m not with it, regarding computers, but it look me the longest time to get any idea what a blog was!
As for the person in pain for $3.40 a gallon for gas - there’d be riots here for such a cheap price. The cheapest price locally for the cheapest grade is $3.81.