A little help?

[michaelsnyder]

Okay, pardon me if I picked the wrong spot to ask this question. I'm not the smartest guy I know, but I am teachable!

Anyway, I wanted to get some feedback on something before i spent the money...

I have a book signing or two later this month and planned to have a guest book for people to sign (in case I ever do a newsletter or some other sort of annoying online marketing where I can invade the sanctity of unsuspecting Inboxes!). Then, from those names do a drawing for a prize.

So here's my question. If you showed up a at a book signing and had a shot at a prize, what would you rather have?

An iPod (the $70 variety)

Or...

A $50 gift card to Borders (the store where I'm doing the signing)

I already have an iPod so I'd rather have the gift card. But I was wondering what the general public might think about it.

Thoughts?

And thanks!

Mike

[Tamera]

I would choose the gift card. You're right about some people already having ipods. If they don't have one, it's probably because they don't want one or because they are saving up to get the expensive one they want. Obviously they are readers or they wouldn't be there. A gift card make perfect sense.

[lynnmosher]

I'm on board with Tamera! Gift card makes sense.

[michaelsnyder]

Thanks for the feedback. Keep 'em coming!

And Lynn...I just love that toilet-head avatar thingie. I really hope that's not a self portrait!

[michaelsnyder]

Seeing if my signature shows up now...ignore me.

[PattyU]

I agree. Get the gift card.

[jacks girl]

I think personally I'd rather have the I pod but the gift Idea will work better for the general public. Also it will be a good gift to the good folks letting you have the book singing there.

Hey you could always do both.

Jacks

[lynnmosher]

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/laughing025.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Michael, No, not a self-portrait! Just one for fun!

[kluchar70]

I'd go with the gift card as well.

[Tarin]

If I didn't have an i-Pod, that's what I'd want. But, since I do, I'd naturally prefer the gift card. I'd say go with the gift card (unless you wanted to give the winner an option), because it gives the winner more flexibility.

[righter1]

I'd go with the gift card, too. And encourage them to buy copies of your books to give all their friends and family with it! :D

[Timber Wolf]

Either one would be great - maybe include a certificate for an audio book w/ the iPod? With either gift certificate I'd want to suggest making sure there aren't a lot of "catches" on th egift certificate. Some certificates have expiration dates, some lose value over time (10 dollars per mnth after 6 mnths, etc.).

[VLSmith]

I'd go with the gift card for the following reasons:

1. If I already had an I-pod, then the gift card works best for me.
2. If I wanted an I-pod, maybe I could sell the gift card to someone for $30 or $40 which gets me closer to my I-pod dream and gives someone else a deal.
3. If I didn't want an I-pod, I'd really hate to be stuck with one when I could've had a nifty gift card instead.

By the way, my own personal preference would be option #3.

[kriswrite]

Gift card. That way I could buy whatever I want :)

Kristina

[Mouse5]

I'd go with the gift card as well. I love going to bookstores and looking around but I rarely have the money to buy anything.

[wgjones3]

Whoever gets the gift card will likely use it to buy stuff they might not spend their own money on, which--I think--makes it a much cooler prize.

[JustJeremy]

I would go for the gift card....I would have no idea how to operate an I-Pod, but I love to read.

[journalwriter]

A gift card. I personally love gift cards, especially to book stores!