I’m a day late this week but I still wanted to bring up a topic that’s made me curious. I’ve noticed there have been more and more blogs that have forms for their readers to use for contest entries. It usually involves just filling in a few blanks and it seems to be easier and faster than writing everything out each time in a comment. This also provides more security for the person leaving their information. Other readers aren’t able to see the entries on the forms but the comment section is still open to use when you want to chat.
So, I wondered what other people thought of this method since I’ve considered giving it a try for my own contests. Do you like the idea of using the forms? I’m not even sure how to add them to my blog. Does anyone have that information? If you have used them on your own blog what did you think of the process? Please share your thoughts with us, I really appreciate your participation. It’s always great to hear from all of you! And don’t forget, if you have a question or topic you want discussed here in the future just let me know. Chances are that someone else is wondering the same thing!
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I'd love to know how to do this. I'm thinking J. Kaye knows how.
ReplyDeleteLove your header photo!!
I've been using Google Forms on my blog for contests for quite a while now.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I use them? For all the reasons you've already mentioned.
Security. No one else sees anything.
TIME! It's so much easier to tally points. And it's easier for entrants to enter.
I then use BuzzMyBlogContestWinnerPicker to pick the winner. Super easy.
Basically, after someone fills out the form I get an email (because I asked the form to email me) letting me know new data has been entered into my spreadsheet.
The only thing I have to do is confirm that all links (entries) are accurate, I highlight confirmed cells in green and unconfirmed in red that way I know where I'm at in entry verification.
I'm happy to help you implement this into your contests. :)
If you already have a Gmail account you're ready to go. If not, get one! :)
Feel free to email me directly about it.
bookreviewsbyjess (@) gmail (.) com
I would love to learn how to use Google Forms as well. It seems much simpler than trying to copy and paste everything from the comments into an Excel spreadsheet which is what I'm doing now.
ReplyDeleteI see plus and minus of the form. Yeah, it makes it easier; but if part of your purpose in the give aways is a bit of reader interactions and participation, then it kind of defeats that purpose.
ReplyDeleteYou just have to decide which is best for you!
I have a wordpress blog, so I don't think I can use google forms. But, others don't see the email address on wordpress either so security isn't an issue.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had problems with email security that I know of but I've heard several people mention that as a concern. As far as reader interaction, even if you use the forms you still have the comments available, it would just depend on whether people would use both.
ReplyDeletebermudaonion - Wordpress still uses HTML code which is what the form code is. Therefore, yes, you can use the Google Form in Wordpress. :)
ReplyDeleteThe email thing is a security issue when the contest holder ask that ppl put their email address in their comment with their entries. It becomes public knowledge once it's posted and therefore a security issue.
If you figure out how to do this, I'd be happy to know it too. That Mr. Linky thing I'm clueless about. A couple of bloggers have people e mail them to enter. That might also be an option. Good question this week!
ReplyDeleteI decided recently that I will be switching to the Google Docs form for my future giveaways. They're quick to fill out and will be much easier to tally when counting time comes.
ReplyDeleteI think the forms are a complete nightmare to fill out. I don't know if they're formatted badly, or what, but they're horrible.
ReplyDeleteThat's just my two cents.