I had an awful lot of fun with the BlogHer Pity Party Contest, and winner Amy Giampetroni of Average Everyday Super Woman was thrilled to get her cool Moocards and BlogHer Reach Out Tour tickets. Then I got an email from her. She asked if she could possibly return the prize.
This is what she said:
I’ve been a stay-at-home mom full-time since February due to some health issues our 5-year old son had been having, and then my husband was unexpectedly laid off from his job on 6/30 due to “reduction in workforce”, and while he’s been pretty fortunate as far as interviews and leads go, he hasn’t had any offers yet and we don’t know how long it’ll be before he is working again. As such, I don’t know if I can afford to spend the kind of money I’d have to in order to attend the BlogHer Outreach Tour in two short months. I wanted to let you know in case you wanted to hold another contest to give away the ticket to someone else.
I felt so badly hearing that! I asked if there was anything I could do, and she mentioned spreading the word if I knew someone with an opening for a high-level marketing person to let her know.
Shoot, she couldn’t even use her pity party prize. I thought it was very sweet of her to return the prize, but it troubled me that she couldn’t win even after winning the contest! So next thought led to another, and that’s when it struck me: blog contests are for promotion. Who says I have to promote me? I already got a chance to do that once with this contest. So this do-over is just for Amy and her family.
I asked her to be sure she didn’t feel uncomfortable about everything. She did say they aren’t in a dire situation, and they do have money to live off of for a period. She didn’t want to over-dramatize the situation. But the fact of the matter is these are hard times, and Amy’s story isn’t that odd.
We can’t help every family with someone laid off from a job. Maybe, just maybe, we can help her. We can help give a boost to her new mommy blog. Who knows, maybe just the right person could read your blog and Dan could land a great new job! How cool would that be?
So here are the prizes:
One BlogHer Reach Out Tour registration. I will be presenting at BlogHer Greensboro (and hey, let me know if you will be there!). There are also several other locations for those of us who missed the big San Fran par-tay earlier this summer.
One set of 100 totally cute and funky-cool Moo Minicards, donated by Bitchy Betty. If you have not checked out Bitchy Betty yet, please do so now! They are a perfect sponsor for this contest because their motto is “bitching for change.” Plus, you’ve just got to love a site that actually encourages you to complain!
And contact me right away if you’d like to toss another prize into the pot to help this cause!
Here’s how to enter (COMMENT below for it to count as entries):
The deadline is September 15th at 11:59 p.m. EST because, well, you’ll want time to pack for your trip to a BlogHer Reach Out Tour stop. You can choose any combination of entries. Just be sure you comment with a link here because this is where I will look when I choose a winner (via random.org).
Tags: blog contests, blogher, blogher 2008 pity party, mommy blogging
I am a writer/blogger, SEO diva, foodie, social network maven/creator, travel junkie and former investigative newspaper reporter turned new media mom. I was named one of the 50 Most Influential and Powerful Women in Social Media. Find out more about me, about what people say about my work, or hire me for SEO, content, blog or social campaign services.
I added her to my blogroll.
I blogged about the contest.
But, I couldn’t figure out how to link to Dan’s LinkedIn profile.
Wishing their family the best!
Christys last blog post..Project 365
It hath been tweeted. Does that count?
Cathy McCaughans last blog post..ferris wheel
Contest blogged with a link to Amy’s very sweet blog and her husband’s LinkedIn.
Cathy McCaughans last blog post..the ride that got Noah
And she’s on my blogroll. I have a ticket to BlogHer in Nashville. I only have it because a lot of people who have never met me chipped in and gave me the money to buy that ticket. I felt incredible when they did that. I want someone else who really wants to go to feel that same feeling.
Cathy McCaughans last blog post..the ride that got Noah
OK - thanks for hosting this one!
I linked to her in a post and added her to my blogroll. Will you let us know how her situation improves?
I too am close to Nashville & would love to go. Thanks again!
BookMammas last blog post..Standing on the Shoulders of Blog Giants
Added her pretty blog (and yours!) to my blogroll. You are such a brill techy guru to have thought to give her love out of this re-do.
I wanna get Moo cards. Why do I keep forgetting about them?
Deb on the Rockss last blog post..The portal to the message in Burn After Reading
I know you didn’t ask us to, but I retweeted for you.
Tara @ Feels like homes last blog post..Layered Chicken
I added her to my blogroll. Thanks for the opportunity.
Blogged her August idea of a contest as my websavvy pr tip #6 - contests as a way to extend reach of your blog. http://websavvypr.com/websavvypr-tip-6-use-contests-to-expand-the-reach-of-your-blog/admin/2008/09/
was in so much of a hurry to beat deadline, I forgot to mention Kelby’s contest
Cathy Larkin
http://www.websavvypr.com
Twitter ID: @CathyWebSavvyPR
Cathy Larkins last blog post..WebSavvyPR tip #6 - Use Contests to expand the Reach of your Blog
um, deadline said 11:59 EST, which is when I submitted it, but it was recorded as 3 am on the 16th. hope it counts - really it was five of 12 in Philly. Good luck to all! PS there are some sort of free rental car discounts for groups of folks attending blog her.
Cathy Larkins last blog post..WebSavvyPR tip #6 - Use Contests to expand the Reach of your Blog
[…] List ResponseJane @ What About Mom on Call for Political Link Love SubmissionsCathy Larkin on BlogHer Pity Party Contest Do OverCathy Larkin on BlogHer Pity Party Contest Do […]