Comminucation Breakdown (and I need Blogger Advice)
Yeah. I’m adorable.
So hey. What’s up? Me? Not much. I’m just sitting at a super tiny useless computer that can’t run any programs or attach to any software while my laptop is in the shop. Just got word I’ll have it no later than the 4th.
I’m having my tonsils and a whole bunch of other shit removed on the 5th and I’m not kidding when I tell you that although I’m just now starting to get worried about the operation because I woke up with a sore throat and know it’s going to be about a billion times worse, the only thought I’ve had in my head is “Will I have my computer? I REALLY need to get back on Twitter.”
To top that off, my camera on my BlackBerry died and I had to take it to Verizon. They said they’d need about twenty minutes so I thought I’d run and do a few errands.
Holy hell I’m an addict.
I never thought I was one for addictions. Yes, I have to sing karaoke but I don’t twitch if I miss a week. I get antsy but I can deal. I never was a smoker unless I drank and I really don’t care if I drink. I haven’t had a single drink in a few weeks simply because the only time I do want to smoke and I know if I smoke I’ll probably lose a lung because pneumonia stalks me. Turns out karaoke is a lot better when you’re sober.
It’s social media. Contact with the outside world. In just twenty minutes I thought of no less than five texts I needed to send to people, three different Facebeook updates and two things to put on my schedule.
I get back to Verizon and it turns out that in order to try to fix my phone they had to wipe it. They saved my pics and contacts but my schedule is gone. I now have no idea what I’m doing and when I’m supposed to be doing it. I think I’m in the process of missing a play date but I have no way of verifying it.
Turned out I needed a new cell and they shipped one right to me. In order to get it all hooked up the way I like i t, I had to go back to the Verizon store.
These people know me. By name. I know them by name. I break shit. A lot. I have warranties on my laptop and cell phones because I break them. Overuse them to the point of breakdown.
I walked in to get my shit straight and they could see the look of terror in my eyes. Knowing who I am and what I do, they actually gave me a laptop to use to pass the time. I wrote the blog post before this with it.
They’re awesome.
At least I have my cell phone back but without my laptop and some actual time on my laptop I feel like I’m never going to catch up. I don’t even really care about the pain. I’ve been stuck in bed with some damn pain or another for a year and the one constant plus has been my ability to blog and network.
That’s about it. I just felt like bitching. See? All my creativity is gone. I’m spent. I also have my boys today because there’s no school and they’re sucking all the creative energy out so this is in no way amusing. Fuck.
Well since it’s not really set to anything, I need to ask you guys a question. I’ve been to a bunch of conferences lately and all people are talking about are giveaway etiquette. I have a bunch to start and I know we always did the “Follow us on Twitter” as an entry but it’s been pointed out that a lot of people don’t have Twitter so it gives an unfair advantage so people are leaving all the “Tweet this” and “Follow me” shit out of their giveaway posts. I also know Facebook gets really pissy about it but don’t remember what their rule is on it.
What are you guys doing? I see where it makes sense not to since it’s an unfair advantage but it’s also taking away from the promotional aspect of it because there won’t be tweets and re-tweets as much and the bloggers who enter get less entries and we all know bloggers enter the most.
I’m going to be starting another giveaway soon and I’m pretty sure I have to stick with the fair way to do it but I really want to know what everyone thinks because I want to make sure I’m fair to both the brand and reader. Discuss.
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Aw, what a breakdown of everything at once! I hope things go all right. I need to feel a connection with the “outside world” once in a while too.
I don’t do a lot of giveaways, but I don’t make people jump through a lot of hoops for them. In fact, after reading what one blogger does, I have tried giving things away to loyal commenters at random rather than opening it up to everyone because some people just come for the giveaways and then never read your blog again. I don’t know…. but giveaways are fun.
Holly at Tropic of Mom´s last [type] ..Seabirds
OMG you are hilarious! I can absolutely relate to ALL of that…can you please move next door, so we can bitch, forget playdates and be addicted together? Roflmao!
Heather Forte´s last [type] ..Simply Delish!!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Julie Maloney and Moms Who Blog, Cindy Dupuis-Swigart. Cindy Dupuis-Swigart said: RT @momswhoblog: Comminucation Breakdown (and I need Blogger Advice) http://ow.ly/19Hqfa [...]
I don’t know but it would be ultra helpful if those tweets said “US only” or something to let me know not to both clicking.
kyooty´s last [type] ..Wordless Wedneday Running Late along with Everyone Else
Julie Reply:
October 29th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Yeah. I know. Good point. I put that in the giveaway posts but not in the Tweets. I totally just tweeted one too lol.
You can promote your giveaway on Facebook, like “hey come to my blog and enter my giveaway!” But you can’t make joining your Like Page, friending you, or giving a Facebook Like as a way to enter your contest. That’s against FB’s TOS.
I know a lot of sweepers (people who enter sweepstakes) who have Twitter accounts just to enter giveaways. It takes 10 seconds to set up a Twitter account, so I don’t think using “tweet this to enter” is unfair.
Anne-Marie at This Mama Cooks!´s last [type] ..The Comfort of Apples- Healthy Citrus Beet and Apple Salad
You could just give it to me…. OR…
I think the twitter thing is fine, it’s free and you can use bogus names or whatever if you don’t want to get sucked into it as a lifestyle. Listen people if you are reading a blog you can twitter to get free crap. Seriously! Now give me free stuff because I am super cool, and totally sexy (even if I am slightly overweight)… DON’T JUDGE ME. I need NyQuil.
Julie Reply:
October 29th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
You know where to look once you’ve taken the Nyquil. Let’s see if you can beat it in that race…
I thought it was something like that about Facebook. I like the way you think about twitter lol. I think I’ll run with that
I probably shouldn’t be telling you this.
Dr. B.´s last [type] ..POLL- 1 IN 5 AMERICANS BELIEVE PRESIDENT OBAMA IS A CACTUS
I haven’t been Tweeting as much as I should
kyooty´s last [type] ..Wordless Wedneday Running Late along with Everyone Else
I do the Twitter thing as an entry, but it’s a one time deal. I do entries for subscribers too, and yep, one for blogging about it, because hey, I like seeing my name pop up on other blogs. So sue me. :p That’s it though… the gazillion entries if you do this or that drive me nuts when I go to enter other’s giveaways.
Storm´s last [type] ..Review & Giveaway- Carmex Healing Cream & Lotion
I don’t use twitter so of course I’d say forget that one – but whatever.
If you wanted to keep it really simple – do: 1. comment, 2. follow and or subscribe to your blog and that’s it! KISS – keep it simple stupid! I don’t like all that ‘do this, do that’ so I would just keep it really easy.
I love your blog. I can so relate. (even the swearing, which I love – something about swearing that makes you just feel better, somehow.) When I have a down day, I have to laugh because I keep thinking your days are so much crazier!
Good luck on the operation and got my fingers crossed that all your technology gets fixed.
I don’t run alot of giveaways, but when I do I always give extra entries for tweeting. I think of it this way…these folks are helping me advertise my site and possibly reach people who’ve never seen it…so giving them an extra entry is a very small thank you for their help… Also, I agree w/Anne-Marie and bubtech – it takes all of a second to setup a twitter account so if they want the extra entries…TO ENTER TO WIN FREE STUFF…its the least they can do
Stefanie Zucker´s last [type] ..Halloween 2010- Make It a Treat This Year
I always prefer the giveaways where you ask your readers a question, and you pick the person with the best answer. No need to follow on Twitter, or Facebook.. you choose the person who deserves it the most.
As for your social media addiction, I recommend you analyze what’s important to you. Or set aside a certain amt of time per day where you do all your social media stuff (timeboxing)
Henway´s last [type] ..Oxy-Powder Review
Julie Reply:
November 1st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
DAMN STRAIGHT! I agree with that but the social media standpoint is for the company. They look for the play it gets on Twitter and whatnot. so I was asking on their behalf s well I suppose.
When I run giveaways- I give the option of extra entries besides tweeting, which are unlimited. I will also have to agree with the others who said opening up a twitter account takes a second to setup.
Rondi´s last [type] ..The Best Investment- Your Child’s Future