Today, I'd Like to Discuss Blog Hops. As a Blogger, What is your take on participating in them? 
So, as bloggers we get the option to participate in blog hops...
For those of you that don't know what a blog hop is, it's where blogs sign-up to give away something on their blogs. It can be books (ARCS, Books in Print, eBooks,) Amazon Gift Cards, PayPal Cash, etc.
The people participating enter a raffle, in order to get entries towards possibly winning the prize. The entries can be earned in a variety of ways decided by the blog participating. For example, participants can follow the blog on various social media platforms, comment on a post, tweet, or follow the blog via email, BlogLovin, etc. Then, there is a form right underneath the raffle called a "Linky," where participants can "hop" from blog to blog, and enter for the chance to win prizes in multiple raffles.
On the one hand, I feel like blog hops might be used exclusively by some participants whose only intention is to "win" as many awesome prizes as possible. As Book Bloggers, are we then really getting genuine followers on our blog, and meaningful comments on our posts? Technically, after the hop ends participants could go back and unfollow the site/social media platform. Does the "hop" just become a means to an end?
On the other hand, it's a great way to get noticed by book lovers all over the world, by bringing exposure to your blog. Blog Hops bring traffic to your website. I know in the past, before I started blogging, I participated in hops. I wanted to win beautiful books, gift cards, and prizes. However, along the way, while I may have initially visited for the prizes, as I looked around, I discovered and fell in love with so many new-to-me book blogs. It was so much fun exploring so many book lovers, with different and vast tastes in books, and unique book blogs, with different styles, voices, and posts.
My overall verdict is...I like participating in blog hops. While I think there may be participants "hopping," to different blogs exclusively for prizes, and then unfollowing after the hop has ended; I think it's worth it for the traffic, exposure, and possibility of bringing new followers that may fall in love with your blog. After all, as bloggers, I think most of us want people to read what we take so much time to write. We hope that other passionate book lovers out in the blogosphere will share in our love and joy of reading!
For those of you that don't know what a blog hop is, it's where blogs sign-up to give away something on their blogs. It can be books (ARCS, Books in Print, eBooks,) Amazon Gift Cards, PayPal Cash, etc.
The people participating enter a raffle, in order to get entries towards possibly winning the prize. The entries can be earned in a variety of ways decided by the blog participating. For example, participants can follow the blog on various social media platforms, comment on a post, tweet, or follow the blog via email, BlogLovin, etc. Then, there is a form right underneath the raffle called a "Linky," where participants can "hop" from blog to blog, and enter for the chance to win prizes in multiple raffles.
On the one hand, I feel like blog hops might be used exclusively by some participants whose only intention is to "win" as many awesome prizes as possible. As Book Bloggers, are we then really getting genuine followers on our blog, and meaningful comments on our posts? Technically, after the hop ends participants could go back and unfollow the site/social media platform. Does the "hop" just become a means to an end?
On the other hand, it's a great way to get noticed by book lovers all over the world, by bringing exposure to your blog. Blog Hops bring traffic to your website. I know in the past, before I started blogging, I participated in hops. I wanted to win beautiful books, gift cards, and prizes. However, along the way, while I may have initially visited for the prizes, as I looked around, I discovered and fell in love with so many new-to-me book blogs. It was so much fun exploring so many book lovers, with different and vast tastes in books, and unique book blogs, with different styles, voices, and posts.
My overall verdict is...I like participating in blog hops. While I think there may be participants "hopping," to different blogs exclusively for prizes, and then unfollowing after the hop has ended; I think it's worth it for the traffic, exposure, and possibility of bringing new followers that may fall in love with your blog. After all, as bloggers, I think most of us want people to read what we take so much time to write. We hope that other passionate book lovers out in the blogosphere will share in our love and joy of reading!
Here are two upcoming blog hops hosted by BookHounds that I signed up to participate in. If you're interested in more information as bloggers or blog readers, and would like to participate in the Splash into Summer Blog Hop click here. If you would like to check out the Christmas in July Giveaway Hop click here.
Book Bloggers, What do you think about participating as a host in blog hops? Have you ever done so? If so, were you happy with the results? If you haven't participated in hosting, would you ever do so?
Book Bloggers & Non Book Bloggers, have you ever participated in "hopping" from blog to blog? Did you enjoy it? Was it a waste of your time or did you discover new book blogs to love? Did you win anything? Did you continue following the various blogs you signed up to follow after the hop came to an end?
Book Bloggers & Non Book Bloggers, have you ever participated in "hopping" from blog to blog? Did you enjoy it? Was it a waste of your time or did you discover new book blogs to love? Did you win anything? Did you continue following the various blogs you signed up to follow after the hop came to an end?
I have participated in a few, never won anything, but I still follow the blogs that I visited. Never hosted one.
ReplyDeleteI use to participate in them and won things all the time. Maybe you'll be lucky with upcoming blog hops! *crosses fingers*
DeleteI love them but really only participate in Sunday Post at Caffeinated. I love the Giveaways and I am running one now on my Blog for Fatal Flowers. I love the fact that the Giveaways do create buzz and help authors get the word out. Lindy, what a great post !
ReplyDeleteThanks Cynthia! I'm entering your Fatal Flowers Giveaway! I agree, the buzz is pretty awesome!
DeleteGreat post! I have participated in some blog hops and while yes I think that some hoppers are only in it for the pot of gold I do think that exposure is good too. Plus I've gained some lovely followers who were also blog hopping so that's good. I've never hosted a hop and don't feel I'm blog savvy enough to do it plus my husband's health issues keep me hopping too so that limits me.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not as blog savvy as I'd like to be with coding and graphics, but I'm learning. My daughter has a ton of health issues, so just reading, wring reviews, and trying to keep up the blog can be time consuming in itself. So I definitely understand the challenges...
DeleteGood question, Lindy!
ReplyDeleteWe don't do blog hops anymore at Delighted Reader and I don't think any of the other blogs I review for do it either.
But, there is no denying that it gains exposure and there are the potential to gain followers. I discovered book review blogs through a blog hop I tripped over years ago. I'd never seen a hop before and I had fun going from blog to blog and entering their giveaways. I think I followed several of them and then tapered back when they weren't good matches for my reading tastes. But, yes, I did stick with several so it does work.
Yeah, I did the same. Stuck with all of them, ands then eventually decided to stick with the one's that matched my interests...
Deletei have participated in a few. i think it is just one of the tools available to bloggers to get noticed.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I agree 100%. Thanks for stopping by and participating in my discussion post Sherry!
DeleteGreat discussion. As a blogger I try to participate in a few each year. It helps new folks find my blog and I enjoy giving a little back. As a book lover, I enjoy hoping a few. I love meeting new bloggers, double checking ones I love to see if I follow their social media. I rarely win. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! I agree, the hop is a good reminder to double check to see if we're following the social media of our blog favorites :)
DeleteI really like blog hops! It's a great way to get traffic and attention on a blog and like you said discover other like blogs to interact with. I'm going to check out the hops you have posted here. One blog that used to host a bunch through the year stop doing it so I haven't signed up for one in a while. Great discussion, Lindy! :)
ReplyDeleteYay, it will be fun to participate in the hops with a blogger that I know :)
DeleteI participated in a few before. I try to the best I can but as I don't work it tends to get tricky ):
ReplyDeleteYeah, it does become an added expense. That can be tricky for sure...
DeleteI have never participated in a hop, but I understand the appeal of them. It's a great way to gain some followers, and maybe the exposure could win you a few legit subscribers. I don't do too many of my own giveaways, because I am poor, but I enjoy doing one every now and again. I love when one of my steadfast followers wins too.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I love it when one of your regular followers win! It's a great feeling :)
DeleteGreat post. I don't generally participate in blog hops, but I do understand the appeal. Thanks for the insight, I might try one out soon.
ReplyDeleteSharrice @Reese's Reviews
You should definitely try one ands see what you think :)
DeleteI find if you want a giveaway to work you have to do them pretty regularly. There are some twitter people who are always throwing up a giveaway and their accounts are huge... because why would you unfollow if you have lots of opportunities for giveaways. ❤️ It is neat though when you visit and there is a giveaway. For me though I don't seek giveaways out.
ReplyDelete