Well, I am seeing increasing amounts of giveaways from hobbyists on my twitter feed, so I think it may be time for a bit of a Kipper Waffle on the subject.

There are multiple things at play here. We have different groups of people with different goals. We talk about the “Hobby Community” as if its a monolithic block of people. It isn’t. Its a group of hobbyists, companies, professionals, and semi-professionals.

I’ve talked about “the community” in more depth before. It’s not a bad thing in general that we’re a varied and diverse bunch! https://twitter.com/evilkipper/status/1289167796413386752

One big problem, though, is that sometimes we assume we should act like the other accounts we see in “the community”. And that brings us to the giveaways we see at the moment.

Now, I’m not saying there’s anything inherently bad with giveaways. It’d be rather hypocritical, as I enjoy free stuff as much as the next hobbyist! I’m perfectly happy if someone wants to give me models and paints!

But there is a serious goal with giveaways. The retweets and likes and comments all flag posts in the timelines of others. They get recognition for the person. They, in short, “buy” followers.

If I’m a business selling war dollies to adults, I need to get my name out there. If I do a giveaway, get people hearing and looking at my site, and start gaining traction with people? The giveaway can easily pay for itself.

If I’m a commission painter? If I’m do artwork? If I sell any kind of goods or services to the community? Giveaways are a useful tool to self promotion. They undeniably work in term of gaining followers, and followers that are interested in your product.

They serve a useful purpose, and I might get free stuff! Huzzah!

But there is a significant downside to giveaways too.

“Buying” followers with giveaways doesn’t give you followers who are necessarily interested in you. It gives you followers interested in what you are giving away.

Now, there may well be a lot of overlap! But step back a moment. Why do you want followers?

Do you want fellow hobbyists who want to interact with you? Or do you just care about the number in the box. Because that number is meaningless.

I see far too many normal hobbyists seeing the giveaways done by people like commission painters or companies selling models, and feeling obliged to do the same thing. We shouldn’t ever feel obliged to give stuff away to buy followers.

If you can afford it, think it’d be fun? It's not a bad thing. Some people do giveaways of limited models to help reward existing followers for letting them have such a fantastic time here on twitter.

I’ve never done a giveaway in the sense I’m discussing here. I donate minis to charity or school clubs, I try to pass on my good luck by sending bits or minis to people less fortunate if something. I’d rather help people than buy a few more numbers in a box I don’t worry about.

No one should feel _obligated_ to do giveaways unless they have a genuine reason, beyond “everyone is doing it". If they feel that way, its down to us - we are failing as a wider community to engage and support each other without chasing free stuff..

It worries me when I see hobbyists who don’t seem well placed financially doing giveaways and gifts. We shouldn’t feel we have to keep up with the Joneses to be one of the #warmongers. We just need to enjoy painting and playing, and interacting with others who feel the same.

I’ve been wandering merrily along on Twitter for years. I paint little minis OK. I love studying the theory and reading the books! I jump up and down enthusiastically, and love interacting with people! I’m always astonished that anyone follows me at all!

The whole point of this social media for hobbyists is interaction. Genuine interaction with other people, sharing your enthusiasm, learning and teaching.

Chasing numbers? It's useful to have a bigger market if you’re selling stuff. Not to share pictures of minis.

So when you see a giveaway? Feel free to jump in. Its not bad in itself. Do pause to think about why the person is doing it, though. Maybe think about interacting with them, not just hitting the conditions. And never feel pressured to run a give-away yourself.

Don’t dismiss individuals doing give-aways, either. They may love the hobby as much or as more as you do. It might be from enthusiasm and excitement.

But always pause to ask yourself why. After, all, TANSTAAFL.

I think I’ve waffled on long enough! Let normal service of dribbling about new minis and cracking painting resume! Huzzah!