Why Giveaway Anything?

If you read last weeks post, follow me on Twitter or like my Facebook page you will be aware that there was a reason to celebrate last week. You will also know about the special giveaway announced on this very blog. Well the clue was in the title - Bespoke Handmade Card - Free! These two events, my birthday and my giveaway occupied my mind so much that I missed reflecting on another anniversary but more about that later.

Let's get to the point of the title of this post. It's about my giveaway, naturally, where I offered to make a bespoke card for one person. To have a chance of winning this opportunity I asked for comments on my Facebook page. As soon as I finish writing any blog post it is immediately published on my Facebook page via the Networked Blogs app. I looked forward to reading and responding to comments as the purpose may be about raising the level of feedback but it was the interaction I looked forward to most.

About two days into the week long competition there were no comments but I still posted about my offer to giveaway a bespoke greeting card lovingly handmade by yours truly on Facebook and on Twitter. I then hit on the idea of making the announcment of the winner an online event. I even set up a chat room on my Facebook page using the Clobby app with the idea that people could ask questions and we could, well chat! Wouldn't it be great! At some moment I could do the draw and announce the winner to everyone in the chat room. I created an event and invited everyone on my Facebook page.

Now don't think I just blabbed on and on about the giveaway or my birthday... well I hope I didn't. I tried really hard to have some variety on my wall and included stuff from a few of my favourite pages. But as the week wore on I began to lose heart.

No comments... not one!

Last night I sadly cancelled the Bespoke Handmade Card Giveaway event via a comment at the end of last weeks post, and to my social media channels including of course, my Facebook page.

I guess no one wanted one of my handmade cards made especially for them. For nothing. For any occasion. Made to their approval. Oh well... it could have been good but maybe I am just rubbish at marketing myself. Please don't offer me your marketing services as I am in no position, much less mood to get involved in all that. Despite feeling a bit down, on reflection this week has been a very good experience.

Which leads me to the other reason to celebrate. It was also my blogoversary this week. Three years of learning how to blog, following bloggers, commenting, sharing, blog candy and giveaways. I've worked to come to grips with all this while trying to build on my ambitions with my handmade cards. Well three years on and after an eventful week I've decided to relax and do things in my own way. No more chasing followers and no more worrying about so many impressions and 0% feedback. I think I've earned the right to even say no more giveaways. Yeah that's what I said! Why giveaway anything?

Just because its free you can't assume someone will take it. Big lesson.

Still as I said it's been a great week. I am now the proud owner of my first orchid thanks to my brother. It's quite a challenge especially for a very average gardener like myself so I hope I can keep it alive. I've been in my garden doing some early work preparing for spring and also working on my photography skills. You can see more photos in the slideshow at the bottom of this blog page. I also made a card during the week for Mothers Day... described as quite 'abstract' by my daughter. I guess that's a polite way of describing it. You can buy it in my Folksy shop where you can find ready made handmade cards available for sale. Or you can always contact me to ask for a bespoke handmade card...

Thanks for reading. Have a lovely week :)