How to Find Blog Giveaways

 

Day 1- Blog Winning Etiquette

Day 2- Where to find blog giveaways

Day 3-Means of entry

Day 4- My list of pet peeves about giveaways

Day 5- Review and Giveaway of my own. 

   The most important is how to find the giveaways and there are so many ways to find them that I am devoting this post just on finding blog giveaways.

1. Search Engine- I personally use Swagbucks so I can earn points for giftcards but you can use any of them.

      A. you can search "blog giveaways" "blog contests" or similar words

      B. Once you have found a prize you know you want, you can search for blogs offering that prize. An example would be "Totinos Prize Pack giveaway" (I really wanted the salt and pepper shaker set) this would bring up a huge list of sites (not all of them blogs) that offered such a prize. I try to limit the results by putting in the current month and year such as "Totinos Prize Pack giveaway April 2013".  Most blog contests are only a month at the most so that helps filter it to more recent results. Obviously the more giveaways you enter for a specific prize increases your odds of winning that prize. (beware that if the prize comes from the sponsor they will only let you win once)

2. Facebook- I enter quite a few that I see posted by people I follow. Also you can go to the sponsor of a giveaway and sometimes you will find posts from other folks with a giveaway for that product.

3. Twitter- Once again I will search twitter for specific words such as "Totinos Prize Pack", thankfully Twitter will bring up the most recent tweets first. Once you search be sure to look on the top left hand side of the page and select tweets as opposed to people. Most blog giveaways offer an entry for tweeting so you can find tons of giveaways just from searching people's tweets.

4.  Blog- once you have found a few blogs that do giveaways you can get really creative on searching each individual blog. There are a number of ways to find other giveaways on a blog.

A. Giveaway Heading or Listing- If the blog offers frequent giveaways, then most likely they have a header button called giveaways or else they list all current giveaways on the side of the blog.

B. Comments- If the comment has a "comment luv" button to show the commenter's last blog post (assuming they blog) then read over those to see if their last post was a giveaway. I have found more than a few this way.

C. Blog rolls- Some bloggers have a blog roll of blogs they follow. Some of the blog rolls will show the most recent post for that blog. I read over those to see if any of them just listed a giveaway. Once again, I have found quite a few this way.

D. Blog hops- Some of the giveaways are hops. Hops are basically a group of bloggers posting about a particular topic or theme. Most of the time there is one blog that is the sponsor blog and they are offering the bigger prize but the follower blogs offer their own individual prizes that are smaller in value. Usually I will enter every blog listed on the hop in hopes of winning.

E. Giveaway linkies- A number of bloggers offer a giveaway linkie on their page. A linkie is a place that other bloggers can list their giveaways. So out of one post you can conceivably find hundreds of giveaways. Some linkies have huge listings and some have a few. Often you will find the giveaway listed on a bunch of different sites.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR FINDING GIVEAWAYS?

Winning Blog Giveaways

I have been winning so many wonderful prizes lately and everyone's reaction is how do you get all this stuff that I thought I would write a series on blog giveaways. I will end up on Friday with a review and giveaway of my own. Below is a picture of just a few of the prizes I have won.

This series is just about my experiences and won't guarantee you a win. I am going to let you know up front, right now I have no job and since I am not married or dating, I have a lot of free time so I spend hours (and I do mean hours) entering giveaways. You aren't going to win something every day or even every week if you only enter here or there. But don't be intimidated, you can still win. Every entry has just as much chance of winning as the next person's. 

The reason I enter blog giveaways is because they offer fun, unique prizes that I can't buy elsewhere or can't afford. Or I get to try new products as soon as they come out. 

Day 1- Blog Winning Etiquette

Day 2- Where to find blog giveaways

Day 3-Means of entry

Day 4- My list of pet peeves about giveaways

Day 5- Review and Giveaway of my own.

Some blog winning etiquette.  

1. I never enter a blog giveaway for a prize that I don't want or can't use. That's not to say that I don't sometimes give my prize as a gift to a friend. I have seen bloggers who talk about someone winning a prize and then asking them if they can use their picture of the prize to sell it on Ebay or something similar. Personally I think thats wrong. If you can't use the item or don't want it, then don't enter the contest. That way someone who does want the prize will get it.  

2. Don't Cheat- I can't stress this enough. If a comment is mandatory before you can click the other ways to enter, then really comment. I see some giveaways where the first mandatory entry is a comment and it will have hundreds of entries and only about 5 comments. If you say you are following then really follow. Blog owners don't just offer these giveaways out of the goodness of their hearts. They get the giveaway offers based on number of followers and visitors. So if you want there to continue to be prizes and bigger and better prizes then follow the rules. 

3. When and if you win, thank the person hosting the giveaway. Even if the prize was sponsored, they still took their time to host it. Politeness won't kill you. I like to thank the person when I win and again once I receive the prize. 

4. When and if you win, give some form of shout out to the host. If you only win once in a blue moon then do a post with a link back to the host. I keep a giveaway listing on my site that shows what I have won with a link back to the site. 

5. Comment on the winning post. I try to always go back to the site and comment and say thanks. This lets them know that you have responded to their email also. You know sometimes mail gets lost in cyberspace. 

6. Email when you get the prize. I am sure many folks email complaining that it takes too long to get their prize and the likes. I try to email so the blog owner can know they are completely done with that contest. 

7. Wait- some prizes take a while to get to you and some come right away. I have gotten some as soon as 2 days later but most take longer. If its coming from the sponsor, they may have a set schedule for mailing out. I usually wait 30 days. If I haven't gotten the prize or an email from the blog host saying they had an issue then I will send an email to the blog host asking them to please check on the prize. Sometimes things do get lost in the mail. 

8. Save all your emails. The one from the host letting you know you won, the ones you sent them. Once I get the prize and have sent my final email then I delete but if there is a problem it helps to have the emails so you can reference them. 

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU CONSIDER TO BE BLOG WINNING ETIQUETTE?

RIP George Jones

My heart just broke this morning when I got up and saw that George Jones had passed away. I know he was 81 and had lived a hectic life but I just loved him. I grew up watching and listening to George Jones over the years. I love all the old country legends. Many many a time I have gotten through a breakup listening to George Jones. Once, my aunt told me if she had to hear "He stopped loving her today" then she would be forced to stab me.  I sure am going to miss the Ole Possum.


This is probably my favorite song by George. Its on about every cd that I own.




This song sums up how I feel about new country. Its ok but they have some big big shoes to fill. The heart of country music skipped a beat today April 26, 2013.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 90

I swear this year I can't seem to get it together long enough to get any of the memes done. Of course right now I am not online much since my laptop is still down. I am very frustrated with the company I ordered the replacement cord with. I get the cord and the connection where the 2 piece plug into the adapter doesn't fit right and its not charging my laptop at all so I email the company and tell them the piece that goes from the wall to the adapter doesn't fit right so they send a long email back basically saying they are sending me a replacement part. At this point in the I admit I did not notice they said they were sending a 2 plug cord for the adapter, I just see they are sending a replacement. I get the replacement and it doesn't fit at all. I needed a 3 prong replacement. The piece they sent would have fit my original laptop cord but it wasn't the part that was bad on my old cord so it did me no good. I email to tell them it doesn't fit and how I needed a 3 prong adapter. At which point they point out rather rudely that the email had said they were sending the 2 plug cord and if I want a replacement I have to pay shipping this time.  Naturally I get mad and tell them I am not paying shipping, its not my fault they have no clue what cord they sent me and that basically I just want to return all this crap and get my money back. So they shoot an email back going on about which of the different 3 prong cords do I need and don't mention shipping but honestly I am just tired of fooling with them and want to complain to Amazon about it.  Ok done ranting now :)

QUESTIONS

1. Do you prefer to drive or be driven?
2. What's your favorite kind of jam, jelly, or preserve?
3. Do you have any special plans for this spring or summer?
4. Lots of folks are becoming aware of issues with food. There are many articles, books, and movies on topics like allergies, GMO, pesticide use, bad or no labeling, over processed foods, foods from other countries that may not have high standards, and many more topics. What concerns you the most? If nothing concerns you, have a cookie and skip to the next question.
5. Do you use nail polish often? Finger nails, piggies, or both?

ANSWERS

 1. I like driving and I prefer to drive mostly because I have trust issues and don't like other peoples driving. My ex was an alcoholic who didn't allow me to have a license and I had no choice but to ride with him and he managed to wreck about every year we were married. 

2. I love strawberry jam, love blackberry jam but it has to have the seeds, I don't get why anyone wouldn't want the seeds, to me thats jelly not jam and I really like Concord grape jelly. 

3. Well today we are going morel hunting. And really my only big plan seems to be planting my tomato plants.

4. chemicals and all the additives. I wish I had the space and equip to grow all my own produce. I would grow what we can eat and can a lot so we wouldn't have to buy all that stuff that seems to keep being recalled. 

5. I love to paint my finger nails but can't manage to reach my toes due to some health issues. I like my toes planted but since I hate the shape of my toes it doesn't really matter. My fingernails I paint all the time as a matter of fact I won some beautiful polishes yesterday.

Friday's Free E-books plus a few samples

I am so frustrated without my laptop. I ordered a cord and it didn't work. The replacement cord is supposed to be on the USPS truck for delivery today so I am hoping and praying for the best. I feel lost without my laptop and my normal files.

Here are some things I found online this morning.

The Seasons on Henry's Farm: A Year of Food and Life on a Sustainable Farm- 

My dream is to own a farm and to get off the grid. I want to be self supporting and this book is right up my alley :).

The Four Week Financial Turnaround- Frugal is my middle name.

Bloodline: Ultimate Fifth Avenue Novels Box Set (The Fifth Avenue Series)

Ageless Beauty & Timeless Strength: A women's guide to building upper body strength without any special equipment

 Reckless Nights in Rome (A Ludlow Hall Story)

A Bride for Pastor Dan (Parkside Community Church)

 

Christianish: What If We're Not Really Following Jesus at All?

Here is a really good deal on All You magazine.  I love this magazine for the coupons alone but they have great money saving articles also. You can get a year for 400 points from Recyclebank. If you don't have an account already just join today and you can earn 300 points by clicking on all the timeline years 1970, 1980 and 1990 and they offer points all the time. Surf through ways to earn and you might come across a few more.  

Fancy Feast Friday- get a sample of Fancy Feast 

Olay Fresh Effects Cleanser sample.  

Thanking God for His mercy and grace

Today I woke up so grateful to God for His mercy and grace. I am thankful that even when we don't know what to specifically pray for, the Holy Spirit prays for us. When I got up yesterday morning, I did not know to pray that if a fertilizer plant were to blow up that my daughter and grandchildren would be safe but God knew the need was there. My daily prayer is for the safely of my family and yesterday God delivered that. My granddaughter has dance lessons just a few buildings below the site of the explosion. She missed dance class for church. I prayed all night because my daughter doesn't have a home phone, only a cell and it doesn't get signal in her house. Joy came in the morning with her call to let me know everyone was safe and sound. The explosion was a terrible thing but it could have been so much worse. Had it happened in the day time when the workers were there, when the children were in school next door, the casualty rate would be so much higher.

This has been a hard week for America first with the Boston Marathon bombing and now this explosion in West Texas. But in both cases it could have been so much worse than it was. I know that doesn't comfort those who did lose loved ones or who's lives have been forever changed. Sadly this world is full of evil and bad things happen daily. John 16:33 tells us “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”The only thing we can do is trust in the Word of God and live for the next world where He is in control and we live eternally in peace.

Things happen  in a split second sometimes and we don't have time to make things right with family, friends or God so thats why it pays to always been ready. Always be watching for the Lord's return, always leave things with family and friends so that you can live with it for all eternity if need be. Tell your babies you love them often, kiss your spouse good bye every morning and ask forgiveness throughout the day.

Win a Kindle Fire HD Giveaway

There is no doubt that Isabelle Thornton of Le Chateau des Fleurs is talented.  This French-girl-gone-Utah has a wildly popular blog full of interesting DIY posts, photography, giveaways, and great reviews.  Aside from being an awesome blogger, she also creates fun apps for phones.  Previously her "Make Me Skinny" or Bon Bon app has kept many entertained as they edited and adjusted photos on their iPhones, and now I'm excited to announce she's released an entirely new app!  This one is different, and for Android!





Let's face it, sometimes you spend more time with your smart phone than you do with your spouse, friends, coworkers, and family... You sleep with it, eat with it, and admit it-you take it to the bathroom with you!  With Smartphone DNA you are creating a new kind of experience with your Smartphone.


What is Smartphone DNA?  
Smartphone DNA is an app dedicated to Twitter users, and it allows you to collect your Twitter DNA via your Android phone, and then compare it against other twitter users to see how much you match!  This is a great way to locate new Twitter friends that have things in common with you! 


How it works:
Smartphone DNA shows you a list of apps you currently have installed.
You select the apps you want to share as part of your DNA
Smartphone DNA shows you how closely you match the DNA of other users.

Smartphone DNA is 100% secure and controlled by you.

Win a Kindle Fire HD

To celebrate the release of Smartphone DNA, Isabelle is offering one lucky newsletter subscriber  a brand new Kindle Fire HD!  Can you say wow?  This is the reader of all readers-with a 7" full color HD display, exclusive Dolby audio, and ultra-fast WiFi it's top of the line.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to have one for yourself!  Follow the break to enter the giveaway:

Prayers for Boston

Tragedy struck today near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. 2 possible bombs went off killing 2 people and injuring 28. I read they have found 2 more bombs so far and are dismantling them :(. I just don't know what this world is coming to. For many people being part of the Boston Marathon is a life goal and now for some awful horrible person or people to do such a thing. Vengance is mine saith the Lord and I hope he recompenses those evil people. Those people are cowards who hide behind bombs instead of coming forth to face their actions.   Praying for all those affected by this senseless tragedy.

BOSTON! For families call: 617-635-4500 and if you've seen anything please call: 1800-494 TIPS #boston #hotline

Funny Ebooks for Friday

    I haven't been posting this week because my laptop is dead. My dog had chewed the cord when I first moved to WV and it finally bit the dust. I did everything in the world and it wouldn't charge anymore :(. Me without Internet access is not a pretty thing. The first thing I did was go through this huge box of cords we have here that apparently can charge and or connect every item in the free world with the sole exception of a laptop. Next step was to go pick up my PC that my cousin had fixed for me months ago but I hadn't bother to go get because its not as up to date as my laptop so not as much fun. Still not a lot of fun but I can at least get online so I have been doing the bare minimum with it. Plus I need a new computer chair because this one is too tall for me and when my legs dangle, then my feet and lower legs swell :( so not spending much time on here. Third step was to look on Amazon and found a charging cord for $7.99 and pay $12.99 for speedy delivery :). The cord is supposed to be here today and I can't wait.
I woke up today and decided to check out the e-books. I love to read the ones that are funny. I like funny mysteries, funny romances, etc.... Life should be funnier than most of us make it. Here are some ebooks I decided to get today that were all still free at 8 AM on Friday 4/12/13. Haven't read any of these yet so I can't vouch for the quality but I liked the looks of them and the reviews sounded interesting.

Aunty Ida's Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only) 

The Rhine Maiden: A Suburban Fantasy (The Rhine Maiden Book 1) 

Loose Screw (Dusty Deals Mystery Series) 

The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management 

Death by Cake #1 (Lost Secret)

Hilda the Wicked Witch

Lovely, Dark and Deep (The Madeline Mann Mysteries)

Murder Passes the Buck : A Gertie Johnson Murder Mystery 

Super Giggles- Funny Jokes For Kids

Why be Normal When You Can be Interesting?

 

National No Housework Day

Bet you didn't know there was actually a day for not doing any housework. And it comes the day before my birthday so thats just perfect timing. :)  I am posting this a day early so that everyone will know as soon as they get out of bed because lets face it, housework begins when your feet hit the floor.

Free E-books for Friday

    First off I want to ask everyone to pray for my family and I to have a safe journey to NC tomorrow and back home on Sunday. We are going to the Elton John concert I won tickets to from the Winston Salem Journal. I was already feeling nervous because the last time I tried to go to NC my car broke down in one of the tunnels and that's always been one of my nightmares, then a friend posted that she had nightmares about me all night long :(. But I am trusting in God's love and protection and greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.
      I am thrilled that Blogger finally got the widget for links fixed. You will notice my contest winnings have been updated. I don't think I missed adding any but you know how it goes when you haven't been able to update for over a week. I was surfing around this morning and thought I would put up some e-books since its been a few days.


Death by Drowning 2 (women and mystery)

How to Take Better Photos-

Counterpointe- a romance about second chances

Just Add Water (Hetta Coffey Mystery Series (Book 1)-

Pink Balloons and Other Deadly Things (Mystery Series - Book One)

Johnny Cornflakes

Married By Midnight (Pembroke Palace Series, Book Four)

Living Rich by Spending Smart: How to Get More of What You Really Want

Champagne and Lemon Drops: A Blueberry Springs Chick Lit Contemporary Romance

The Irritability Cure: How To Stop Being Angry, Anxious and Frustrated All The Time (Anger Management)

Foreclosed (The Mitzy Neuhaus Mysteries (Book 1))

Rob Zombie Plush

I won the most adorable stuffed bunny zombie from a giveaway at Blessed Elements. I got Rob in the mail yesterday and couldn't wait to share him with you.  Let me tell you how silly I am. I knew it was an Easter win and I saw Rob on Grace's website but somehow it didn't connect exactly what sort of animal Rob was. I opened my package yesterday and had to take Rob's picture so I flipped him over, when I flipped him to take pics from behind I saw his bunny tail and when I flipped him back over I finally saw his bunny ears and bunny teeth :). (not the brightest crayon in the box apparently). Now I just don't know how I couldn't have seen it right off since its obviously a bunny. Maxine (my dog) wanted him since she thinks all stuffed toys are hers but I am not sharing. Rob is made of the softest material, I can see how a child would love to sleep with him. He is 15 inches high. I will admit I was thinking of letting my cousin's little boy have him because we talk zombies all the time and play them but I just love Rob so much I am going to have to keep him. I love the details on him to make him zombiefied. He has stitching to show his scars. I am so glad I won him.

Here is what Rob's tag has to say about him "Rob is a quiet mulifaceted guy with intense thoughts on his place in the universe. He frequently reflects on life in the zoo by writing heavy poetry and performing regularly at the ZZ poetry slam. He is seriously into horror films and fascinated with the emotions of fear as well as the supernatural. He cannot get enough metal and punk. He enjys deep conversations with his buddies. He is a great listener with those ears!

If you want to buy Rob or one of his friends at the Zoo be sure and tell them where you heard about him.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 87

Here I am squeeking in at the last minute again. I just can't seem to get it in gear lately plus I am annoyed with Blogger. Even though I am grateful for the site since its free and you can't beat free, there has been an issue for over a week and everyone has complained. I can't update my links list where I list my wins and I have won a lot of neat stuff lately and I cant add the wins. You would think considering the thousands of complaints on the forum it would be fixed by now, looks like they could undo whatever it was they did or do a backup or something. Anyway here are todays q & a.

Questions

1. What did you do for Easter?
2. How bad were you with candy or treats? (On a scale of 1-10. 1 being good, 10 being sugared up)
3. What's one of the first things you'd like to do when you have consistent spring temperatures?
4. How are you at gift buying? 
5. Do you have an projects in mind for the month of April?

Answers

1. Went to church, had dinner with a friend, opened our baskets.

2. not bad only a couple pieces in  my basket. , mostly gifts

3. Fling open the windows and start cleaning. I hate the old musty smell from the house being shut up all winter.

4. Pretty well. I always have a box of gifts for emergencies that I bought on clearance and I usually am pretty good at matching personalities to gifts.

5. Job hunting still. I am praying for something to happen soon. Oh and we are going to NC this coming weekend so I will be able to see my aunt who has been so sick and is finally on her way to recovery.

Woohoo we are going to see Elton John

    Well its a wonderful day today. I went to Target to spend the $75 gift card I won. Got home to find I had won 3 free coupons for Honey bunches of Oats and a $100 American Express gift card from a Kraft drawing. Then in the mail I got Olay Regenerist eye serum, sample of billion hair potion hair and scalp serum and best of all I had gotten a pair of tickets for tickets to see Elton John this coming Saturday. Trust me Mandi is thrilled.  I also won the L'Oreal Golden perk for this month. Normally I am too late to get this one. This month's perk is FREE Color Vibrancy Haircare sample of Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment plus when I entered my code, it made me 5 codes entered in their reward program and for every 5 codes you get a coupon for a free box of hair dye.  Plus went to CVS and on the machine if you scan your reward card it prints a coupon for a free bottle of Clean and Clear shampoo or conditioner so I got that freebie today also.

 

 

Happy Birthday Allison

Today is my youngest daughter's 27th birthday. Boy do I feel old. It doesn't seem like that long ago I was 27 so hard to believe she is. Allison and I have had a rocky relationship in the past. We are in a place now that we are doing better depending on the day. I made mistakes along the way. Its a shame we can't have do overs in life. I love both my girls in completely different ways and would kill for either of them.  Allison is the mother of my only grandchildren and I think that has helped us along quite a bit. She is the one who most looks like me. Gosh she was such a cute baby with her little chubby cheeks. This picture was in an album that got damaged during a water leak. :(

Lordy she has went through some phases. She did the Goth phase :( and then she dyed her hair blonde :(.  She is so different from me but thats not a bad thing. She is in a more natural phase these days and looks better than she ever has. She is a beautiful young woman and I am glad she is my daughter.