Tonight I got abused on Twitter... nothing new there, but I was called a #SoreLoser - I actually can't believe how cross I was initially and it made me question myself.
I'm not, if I were I would be moaning about every competition I don't win which would be all of them at the moment!
I love to see my friends win, be they compers or bloggers - but it is lovely to see people win something they really need or really want. I don't mind losing at all! Obviously I would love to win every competition I enter but that would be ridiculous, impossible and also it would make the wins seem ....well.... boring!
I love creative comps, I'm not very good but I try and I put in masses of effort for them. In fact I am a PR / SEO dream as I do everything possible for a great comp, push the brief to the max and certainly plug it to death on social media channels.
THERE, right there is where my issue was today. I entered a comp on my blog last week (now removed) - it wasn't a very good entry, I spent half an hour writing and doing the pics but I was happy with it! Then I went on to Twitter and looked at other entries and there were some AMAZING ones, posts that really followed the brief and came up with some great needs and wants for their homes. I knew I wasn't going to win but I thought a few of my friends stood a great chance.
The whole point of great Public Relations/ Social Media organised promotions/competitions are just that are they not? Are they not to gain great promotion for the company running the promo? The winner (if judged) surely should a) have followed the T&Cs b) Given great promotion to the company through channels c) Have a following that will continue to read and promote the company d) Increase visibility online and create potential customers/sales?
Have I made a mistake there?
So when a winner is picked that doesn't really come through with b,c and d it is a bit strange... well I think so!
Why would you pick a winner that writes a blog just for comps, no bio, no pic and no social media presence?
I was confused, so I voiced my opinion after talking to other entrants and Tweeted that is was a #PRFail.
For me that was the end of it, I had vented and then decided not to give said company anymore promo through my blog or Twitter.
This evening I got abuse for voicing my opinion. I was cross & did bite back twice but then blocked and ignored.
Something made me think it was strange, normally if you get into a row or get slated online that person is already following you or you have a shared interest. This troll was not following me until today and is not a comper so rather odd to get involved.
The thing that gave it away was she was only came after me and not the other Tweeter that voiced a concern, funny as I had entered and he had not...
Made me think she had info so I dug and it took me 30 seconds to have screen shot proof that she is a best friend & housemate of the girl who runs the Social Media for that company.
How VERY unprofessional.
Tomorrow I am ringing the manager and telling him the whole sorry story as I am standing up to bullies and will not be stopped from asking questions about how competitions are run etc!
This is the second incident I know of in the last month of companies staff abusing people via their own or friends accounts.
It needs to stop!