UPDATES (more entries to Requiem/$15 Amazon GC Giveaway) and Insider Tips for Bloggers: How to host a terrific giveaway and gain followers

Just a couple of updates:

The Stereotypical Freaks, the graphic novel, that I loved so much is up for the Next Read in The Graphic Novel Reading Group this month! So, if you could join the group and then vote in the book of the month poll for "Freaks" that would be AWESOME! 

To sweeten the deal, you get +5 entries in the current Requiem/$15 Amazon GC giveaway if you do this... this option is only open until April 14th so get your extra entries!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

So here are the links:

1) )  The Graphic Novel Reading Group - http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/53316-graphic-novel-reading-group

2)  Please Vote for "The Stereotypical Freaks" in their group read discussion:   http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/82227-which-of-these-books-would-you-like-to-be-our-next-group-read-discussion?auto_login_attempted=true

OK on to our topic of discussion...
I'll be blunt. Hosting a giveaway is the best way to earn followers. If you have a blog that has something to say on top of that, you can gain loyal followers.

So how do you host the perfect giveaway that gets everyone jumping through every hoop you present just to get a chance to win?

I. The one most important thing is to have a great prize. So how do you do that? Easy.

1. It has to be something that people want.
-A signed copy of a book (especially books that are more popularly known)
-Signed swag (such as bookplates or bookmarks)
-Amazon gift cards (of any denomination because people can use this to buy a variety of things)

For indie writers, it's that much more important to give out physical signed books (many people still don't have e-readers).  In addition I suggest either:
-Amazon gift card (obviously the higher the monetary amount, the better. $10 is usually the lowest I would go)
-Another popular book in the same genre. For example, if your book is a YA contemporary, giving away a bestselling book in that genre at the same time increases interest. If it's SIGNED, that always ups the ante.

2. What about e-books?
Sure. But just remember people will go for physical copies more than e-books so you will always get a lower response.

II. Shipping. Always go international if you can. There are a lot of people who can't get books abroad, but they want to read your book. So give them a way they can. If shipping is too much, there are other ways to make your giveaway international without adding too much cost.
- Give away a physical signed copy only US, and e-copies INT
- Give away signed swag international (usually can mail in just an envelope)
- Give away a book you can send via Book Depository, which ships internationally for free.

III. Use Rafflecopter or some other mechanism to easily get people to enter. If it's too difficult, people won't jump through your hoops.

IV. Join a giveaway blog hop! I Am A Reader, Not a Writer hosts multiple ones every month and they are heavily publicized. You'll get a great response usually if your prize is good.

V. What hoops?
-You want to utilize this giveaway to do two things successfully:
1. Promote an author.
2. Promote yourself.

It's always in this order. You want to please the person you are helping out, but also reap some benefits yourself. Add your twitter, facebook, blog, Amazon reviews, etc. For the author, I always include their twitter, blog, facebook, goodreads Fan page, and adding their book to your Goodreads TBR list.

VI. Promote, promote, promote. If no one knows about your giveaway, no one will enter it. Promote it on facebook, twitter, Goodreads, Librarything, Got Great Giveaways on I Am a Reader, Not a Writer, any place with an open forum.

Now put up a great giveaway and have fun!