Would You Exclude People From Your Next Contest Who Unsubscribe?
Written by admin on September 12, 2008 – -This post is mainly to ask you guys for your opinion on this situation I’m having. I was going to have a different post today but this morning when I went to check my e-mail, I received two more messages that go something like "Unsubscription notification…"
I know staying subscribed via e-mail is never a guarantee. Matter of fact, it’s understandable that someone would unsubscribe at some point in time for whatever reason. I have too, don’t worry. But my question is "Would You Exclude People From Your Next Contest Who Unsubscribed?"
Now what if I told that I know for a fact that those certain people just subscribed because of my contest that I had? Would it be fair to exclude them from my upcoming contest? Especially if I had a prize that people would definitely love?
See, I look at it like this, I had three options to enter the contest: A simple comment on the contest post, subscribing via e-mail and/or blogging about it. If they didn’t want to subscribe, they should have only entered by commenting.
Now what if I told you those same people who unsubscribed were to subscribed once again once I launch my new contest? Is it a coincidence? Of course not! They just want to try to win my contest but do you think they deserve to win a great (or mediocre) prize?
Anyways, I think I know what a majority of you guys would say but I figured I’d get my rambling out of the way on this situation.
Posted in Random Ramblings |
14 Responses
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By Static on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
This is actually one of the reasons why I have been thinking twice about running a contest based on subscribing via the email. I’m not too sold on the idea that they are subscribing just to hopefully win something.
However, I wouldn’t exclude them from my next contest. Unsubscribing is harsh, but maybe a constant reminder that you’re giving some good stuff away and you’re writing good content will win them over into becoming a genuine subscriber.
Statics last blog post..Why You Need a Niche
By reycovirt on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
this all i can say…
they only want prize…LOL
and why you should include them in your contest when they leave you after that?
unless you don’t want loyal subscribers…
By Rye on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
It depends on the qualifications of your contest. If they meet the requirements, I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t let them join or even win. That’s my opinion, but it’s your contest BTW. (-:
Ryes last blog post..I’m a Spammer
By Pangeran on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
I vote for excluding theme. b)
By Pangeran on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
* I mean them…
By Riyanne on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
I started a contest last month with 0 RSS subscribers. After the contest, I got 51 RSS subscribers. Now my subscriber count is 58 which I am very much happy about
Good thing I don’t have the subscribe/unsubscribe people on my contest
Riyannes last blog post..Case Study: Quality Traffic Part 2
By BM on Sep 13, 2008 | Reply
Actually I’m one of your current 90 subscribers even you don’t have any contest. And sometimes I’m one of those who unsubsribe when a contest is finished.
Especially if that blog is just sending junk on my e-mail. Junk means a lot of paid posts or lots affiliate links or it doesn’t really helping at all.
If I we’re you I would exclude them, but they can always sign-up another e-mail account just to join your contest.
2c.
By Ginny on Sep 13, 2008 | Reply
This is a hard one & I’m not even sure how to answer.
It might be more work then what it is worth, but you could maybe put for a 2nd entry into the contest ~ People subscribed prior to contest (your loyal readers) AND people that are totally brand new subscribers. That way the ones that subscribed only for the contest, can’t get that 2nd entry.
Subscribing is always hard, the way I prefer to read blogs is through bloglines. The only ones that I get via email are the ones that are part of a contest entry. Sometimes if it isn’t an ongoing entry into all the future contests, I will rejoin through bloglines & leave the email option.
Ginnys last blog post..Healthy Kids, Naturally
By O.Messaoud on Sep 19, 2008 | Reply
I think that after the contest is over, keeping the subscribers is what matters, and what the blogger should work on. I think readers need a reason to stay subsribed, the same way they needed a reason to subscribe in the first place (chance of winning a prize). The main reason to stay can be good and helpful content, but you can also offer weekly or monthly prizes for your subscribers so that people stay subscribed for a chance to win one day.
By Tom - StandOutBlogger.com on Sep 20, 2008 | Reply
Id definately exclude them! They are not really playing fair!
Tom - StandOutBlogger.coms last blog post..A Guy Can Dream….
By Hong Kong on Sep 21, 2008 | Reply
Let’s put it a little harsh: You lure Your visitors to subscribe by giving them money. Is Your content not worth enough that You have to use such means?
Personally I never subscribe to a blog. I hate getting emails everytime they have a new post. I also dislike a feedreader that tells me everytime there is a new post. It distracts me from my work.
So I am guilty of subscribing for a contest and unsubscribing later, simply because I hate the idea of content being pushed to me anytime. I want to go the the content when I have time to do so. But still I’m a loyal reader of those blogs.
my 2 cents
Hong Kongs last blog post..Happy Valley Horse Racing
By Sherry on Sep 21, 2008 | Reply
once I signed up for contest and subscribed very seldom I delete the subcription.
Sherrys last blog post..Do you attract to mosquitoes like a magnet?
By Andrei Buiu on Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
It’s not fair to not let them participate, but I understand your point of view also. You do your best in providing your readers with quality content.
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