Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Do review contests work? Here's my experience to date:

I posted to several Goodreads groups an offer to win a Kindle Fire HD or $130 gift certificate in exchange for an honest review. In the first week, only five entered the contest.

Any thoughts on why?

By the way, feel free to enter the contest here http://bit.ly/1l1LjU4; you'll have a 1 in 5 chance of winning one of three prizes.

I think the problem here (you are probably not going to like this) is that when you offer someone the chance to win a prize in exchange for some consideration (like a review), you may be running an illegal lottery. People tend to steer clear of such things if they are aware of the legal ramifications.

One source on the matter: http://sarafhawkins.com/blog-law-is-y...

Sharon wrote: "I think the problem here (you are probably not going to like this) is that when you offer someone the chance to win a prize in exchange for some consideration (like a review), you may be running an..."

Leave it to a journalist to know such things. Thanks, Sharon.

But...I see ALL the time on blog hops people offering 'if you leave a comment on my blog/website you get entered into a drawing for a free gift card' whatever. I have never heard it referred to as an illegal lottery.....

And dang...who wouldn't want a Kindle Fire!

I get emails/post with people saying you'll win something and I always figure them for some kind of a scam so I don't mess with them.
You never see anyone say Yeah, I won a kindle for giving a review and if I won one then I would be posting it to the world.

Arabella wrote: "But...I see ALL the time on blog hops people offering 'if you leave a comment on my blog/website you get entered into a drawing for a free gift card' whatever. I have never heard it referred to as ..."

That's just a contest.

Giving something away in exchange for a review is considered compensation. Even if it's a contest, there is a promise of payment.

Teresa wrote: "Do review contests work? Here's my experience to date:

I posted to several Goodreads groups an offer to win a Kindle Fire HD or $130 gift certificate in exchange for an honest review. In the first..."
Hi, Teresa,
I checked out your link and your book sounds like something I'd enjoy reading. BTW, I already have a Kindle Fire and will be letting it read your book to me while I work on something craft-oriented :) FIrst, I owe someone else a review this week, but your book will be next. For those who don't know, a Kindle Fire will read ANY book to you whether you've added professional narration to your purchase at amazon or not. Simple touch the screen between a left-hand and right-hand page and a little arrow will show up on the bottom of the screen. Click it and the book will be read to you. Anyway, I'm getting carried away here when I meant to keep it short. Just like a writer :)
W

Melissa wrote: "I get emails/post with people saying you'll win something and I always figure them for some kind of a scam so I don't mess with them.
You never see anyone say Yeah, I won a kindle for giving a rev..."

Arabella wrote: "And dang...who wouldn't want a Kindle Fire!"

Ooh, good idea. I'll ask the winners to post what they won.

I've got to admit that with only a few entries so far (I expected at least 100), it's going to hurt to give away $200 worth of prizes. But some of us do have integrity.

Hmmm, maybe the concern that it's just a scam is the primary reason so few people have entered. I appreciate the feedback -- never would have thought of that.

If I can figure out how this works, who knows, maybe lots of authors will start giving away Kindles. (smile)

Maybe Goodreads has an issue...but I'm sure they can be posted on Amazon...which is where they have a lot of impact

Arabella wrote: "Maybe Goodreads has an issue...but I'm sure they can be posted on Amazon...which is where they have a lot of impact"

GR would have an issue w/ a 'paid' review but not Amazon? Um no, unless Amazon review guidelines have been amended recently, I don't think that statement is correct.

Linda wrote: "...I'll ask D.A. to weigh in here with a far more informed opinion than I can give on how this fits in with F.T.C. Guidelines, but I'm thinking it's rather iffy, but only because any compensation would actually be awarded after the review is posted. ..."

AFAIK, whether FTC, GR or Amazon, the timing of actual 'payment' is not relevant. From the get-go, agreement is reached re: X in exchange for Y.

ETA: Even more so in this instance b/c it appears that people aren't even entered for a *chance* at the Kindle Fire or GC until they first BUY the book and post a review. To my cynical eyes, there's a bit of self-funding in that process.

You can find the Amazon review guidelines here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/community-he...

And they clearly state that paid reviews are not allowed. Their definition of "paid" includes but not limited to bonus content, entry to a contest or sweepstakes, discounts on future purchases, and other gifts.

So the contest you are offering in return for reviews is considered a paid review by Amazon and not allowed.