Saturday, June 23, 2012

Crowdtap- What is it anyways?

Alot of people have asked me what Crowdtap is and how I get FREE stuff from places like Old Navy. In this post I will give you all the details about how it works and how to increase your chances to get free stuff too.

In their words:
"Crowdtap is the Influencer Marketing platform, enabling leading brands to easily identify, activate and manage their influential consumers for real-time insights and powerful online and offline peer-to-peer marketing."

What does this mean to us?  Lots of times Crowdtap members are the first to know about a new product coming out, we get to view trailers for movies before anyone else , and leave our input on new product names, package styling, and our overall opinions on the brand.

What I LOVE the most about Crowdtap:
◆ Unlike other sites, this one only requires a few minutes of my time
◆ They don't fill up my inbox with emails
◆ It is EASY!!

The perks:
◆ For everything you do you get points, which are redeemable for all kinds of different gift cards
◆ FREE stuff. Of course, my favorite is the Old Navy Style Council. All throughout the year they have sample and shares or parties, where they send coupons for you AND your friends  to get totally free items.
◆ Can donate to a charity of your choice using virtual points

A few people have signed up, and then ask me why they never get selected for any of the sample and shares or parties. When I first started with Crowdtap about a year ago, I was wondering the same thing. I wasn't getting chosen for anything , and wasn't getting alot of offers. After a few months I figured out why.  I was kind of forgetting about it, and didn't visit the site every day, and sometimes not at all during a week. I also wasn't checking my email regularly. When there' s a new discussion or sample and share  they will send an email to let you know, and you generally need to find that email and follow the link provided within 24 hours, because they only have so many open spots for each thing. You have to be active with the site to get the rewards.  I spend maybe 10 minutes a day , when I have quick hits and discussions.

 Here's a walk thru of the things I ALWAYS make sure to do when I log-in.

Check the Quick- Hits [polls]- Mine are empty today because they usually don't have any on weekends
The more quickhits you do, the more "actions " you will get, because the polls are to match you up with things that you may be interested in.

Next, I go to my actions. There I will see any new discussions, sample and shares, or parties that I can participate in
This section is really important, and you will have the opportunity to accept or decline the action. If you accept it, you need to complete it , or it will make you less likely to get more offers [especially the good ones] in the future. For everything you do, you get points, and a better chance for more offers.

Here is an example of how a party or sample and share action works :
For each action/party/sample&share you accept there will be discussions. It is very important to participate in these , and only take a few seconds. You get points for answering their questions, and for comments on others' posts .

They tell you what they want you to do during your sampling or party, and you fill out a report once you have completed it [which takes maybe 3 mins to do ] . The more detailed you are, the more points you get. They will always tell you a time frame you have to complete an action, as well as different things they may want you to do, and what to expect to get in your kit
 They also have missions for you to complete, which are usually so many quick hits, web shares , referrals and other things. Each time you complete a mission you get more points which helps you level up , which helps you to get more actions to participate in and closer to redeeming for gift cards. 

Another great thing is that you can donate your points to a charity of your choice . My chairty is the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. If you want to keep your points for gift cards, that's ok. Everytime someone gives  a webshare that you do a thumbs up they will donate to your chosen charity on your behalf.

I was a member of Crowdtap for a few months before I started being active with it. A month into participating regularly I got my first sample and share from Old Navy., and my most recent one made my Third from them alone .Don't get discouraged, just get active and you will start getting accepted.

I hope you found this post to be informative, and if you have more questions, or I left something out don't hesitate to ask!  If you're not a member yet, and want to sign up you can do so HERE

I will be sharing my review on my Old Navy Beach Bum Party soon!