Initially I planned to post this on facebook for a LIKE competition (this was prior my being enlightened by the facebook promo rules). But don't fear this giveaway will still go ahead - please do send in the lovely pics to Stacey at my email artoutloudnz@yahoo.co.nz (before 31 Jan 2012) and there will be a winner! I will keep you updated via this blog and on the competition tab itself - Name Art ---> Name Art Giveaway.
I was really amazed today when I found out about facebook's promo rules... stunned really, that I am unable to run competitions using my facebook account (although many still do) due to their promotional regulations - see here, if you like a good read - http://www.facebook.com/promotions_guidelines.php
This is quite disappointing as I was going along quite merrily, holding competitions for my facebook page fans - and it seemed to work out well for all involved - no hassle with fees for entry, just a good old click on the LIKE button and an automatic entry into the draw to win a lovely Art Out Loud NZ designer t-shirt for a loved one. A happy result with good odds 'n' all.
However, I must mention that there is an option available to me and that is that I can run competitions through special applications APPs (which facebook supports) - although these do charge a pretty dime to do so...
Hmmm... so does this mean that now... that an outside company should be able to profit from the simplicity of little me wanting to giveaway one of my creations to a lovely fan in a fair draw? How is this fair? Things were ticking along nicely without them (other businesses born of the desire for facebook page owners to run competitions for their fans) in the equation - I wonder how others feel about this complication?
I don't mean to complain about a free social networking site that I have used loyally for years and that has so many redeeming qualities - but really?
Well I guess this is a new hoop that we have to jump through in order to continue to freely promote ourselves on The Social Network.
Oh, the joys of working each day doing something you love, stretching the fibres of kiwi ingenuity and tugging on the laces of your shoestring budget!