Blog contests are a fun way to reward visitors while also driving traffic to your site. Find out how to get prizes, create content, and make the most of your giveaway.

© Cherie Burbach

Giveaways also provide an opportunity to create new material, get feedback, and have readers interact with you. Here are some tips to make the most of your next blog contest.

Find Prizes

Sites like ProfNet allow you to get connected with speakers, authors, and organizations looking for places to promote their products. Register as a “journalist,” then go to “create opportunity.” You’ll have a spot to list your blog, the types of prizes you are looking for, and what items your readers might enjoy.

Or, approach companies yourself. Find products that relate to your blog and ask the organization for a giveaway item. Offer the company links to their site for the initial contest and on the winning announcement page in exchange for their donation.

Advertise Your Contest

Several online sites allow you to post links to your contests. Some of them include:

• Online Sweepstakes allows you to register and then post details of your contest.
• Contest Blogger allows you to join and post in their forum threads. They offer spots for blog contests, free samples, and contests and sweepstakes.
• My Blog Contest lets you sign up for access to their WordPress blog, and then provide contest details in a post.
• Contest Beat provides a simple online form to have your contest listed.

Ask For Feedback As Part of the Entry

Want an endless stream of ideas for your blog? Ask responders a question and insist that the answer must be part of their comment. For example, if you write a celebrity blog, you could ask about the favorite song, movie, or video related to your blog. If you run a lifestyle blog, ask for a tip, recipe idea, or even run an informal poll.

Use the answers as part of a new blog post going forward. Readers will appreciate the fact that you’ve included their feedback. Posts that discuss opinions are also a great way to get people to “argue” and chat about preferences. Getting readers involved will encourage them to visit your blog more often.

Have Readers Click on More Than One Post

Don’t let old blog posts die. Give them new life by including a link in a new blog contest. Have your readers comment or vote on something in a previous blog post. It will encourage new visitors to peruse your blog and will remind loyal visitors of your thought-provoking work.

Randomly Choose Winners

Need an impartial way to choose a winner for your contest? Visit the website Random.org, and choose the integer link. Type in the number range of responses to generate a winning number. Then, write a new post that includes the announcement of your winner. Always let readers know who won the contest, and provide a link back to the original post.

Contests are a great way to help advertise your blog and encourage new visitors. They also help generate discussion and interaction with your readers. These tips will allow you to reward visitors and also increase traffic.