Crowdtap & Crowdtapping

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Hello! I'm a Crowdtapper! I joined May of 2011. I didn't really know what it was when I joined, I just saw a lot of "freebie" pages on Facebook were joining. They lured me in with ideas that I'd get Old Navy clothes for free (well they were right).

A few things have changed since I joined nearly a year ago...for one they went from Beta to I guess Alpha! LOL. That meant quite a few changes for us that had been with the site a while, but I'll just talk about what the site is now.

When you sign up to be a Crowdtapper, they like to verify that you are a real person and tie you to your Facebook account, but you must have 20 friends (I think). You can write them and tell them you do not have a FB page, and they will use your telephone number or something. They are trying to ensure you only have one account...so don't think they are getting crazy with your page. So, you sign up and fill out your personal information (as much as you like)...and then get verified, and the fun begins!

As a Crowdtapper, you will answer Quick Hit Questions as they appear under your Actions. Your response may or may not relate to a potential discussion. So, answer honestly, because sometimes they want people who do not like something. Also, Webshares will appear in your Quick Hits, these give you the option of sharing a video or information. You will also get the opportunity to participate in Discussions. These allow you to respond thoughtfully to a discussion question and then comment on other's posts. You have the chance to get Top Awards, if you fulfill what the moderator has in mind for the Discussion. When you are the right demographic, have been on the site for a certain length of time, and reach the right levels, you MAY get asked to apply for Sample & Share or Hosted Party opportunities. The difference is...a Sample & Share you share with one other person, a Hosted Party you share with 3 or more (depending on the type of party). Again, there is the chance to get a Top Award in either of these. Also, for these you write a report.

A couple of my current actions (Discussions).

You will get points for your participation in all the above actions and for signing in daily (10 points). Quick Hits get 10, 25, 50, and random larger amounts. Discussion posts are 100 points (one per discussion question), comments on others are 25 points for the first post (daily) per discussion. The same point system is used for Sample/Shares and Hosted Parties. Top Awards will garner 15,000 points for a regular discussion and 40,000 points for a Sample/Share or Hosted Party. Reports in Sample/Shares and Hosted  Parties, depending on how the moderator rates will get you A LOT more points (4,000 for an approved, 10,000 for an excellent). Webshare points are as follows: 25 points taking a webshare, 25 points per person that rates your webshare, 800 points for a completed Webshare). Also, you will get points when you receive Stars on your Discussion posts and other times, 200 points per star.

Some points I earned 3/27/12.

So, what's the deal with the points? Well, a few things. The more points you have the higher your level, as you go up in levels, you get a new banner. Also, you can redeem points for Amazon.com gift codes, Crowdtap T-shirt, Donation of your choice, Artsicle, Bonobo, and more. Minimum points to redeem for something is 10,000. To get an Amazon gift code, you need 20,000 points for $10 or 50,000 points for $25.

Subject to change.

Tips for Discussions and Sample/Shares and Hosted Parties: Answer the question honestly with insight and share your personal experiences. If you can, provide a relevant picture or link. It is not always the longest response that gets a star or wins the Top Award, but do not just write one sentence. That will just get you your points, it will not get stars and potential to win a Top Award. After you have completed a discussion, go back and look for stared posts, read them and take mental notes for next time. That's what I did. Also, for Sample & Shares, and Hosted Parties I recommend you take a lot of pics, so you can share at least 10 good ones...and do write a blog post, I believe that helps! Another great tip - read Crowdtap's blog, its full of information about how to be the best Crowdtapper you can, plus any news, sometimes extra contests...and follow them on Facebook!

My recent Sample&Share.

Crowdtap has missions that you complete...they range from answering 100 quick hits, to receiving 3 Top Awards in Discussions. When you complete these, you gain extra points. I wouldn't worry about completing them, they complete as you do actions.

Oh....those Stars! OK, so the more stars you get, the higher your Star Power! Star Power is weighted with newer stars receiving more weight over older stars. And, then it is averaged among all users to give you your Star Power. I have a high Star Power, Crowdtap has said the average Star Power is in the 30s...so don't feel bad if it takes you a while to catch up to mine.

I believe you get what you put into Crowdtap. Have fun, it's not a competition...it's about sharing with brands and potentially getting free stuff!

Since joining Crowdtap, I have gained over 258,000 points (I made it to the Top 50 Leader's Board this month), am at Level 14, earned 191 Discussion Stars (for a Star Power of 81), 12 Top Awards, and almost 1200 Actions. I have had the opportunity to be a part of 2 Old Navy Sample & Shares - ActiveWear and Dresses. I have also had the opportunity to be a part of the ABBA Dance Party and the Old Navy Bundle-Up In Store Party! And, I have redeemed my points for $200 or more in Amazon gift codes and donations (keep in mind some were w/ the old system).

If you feel Crowdtap is for you...JOIN NOW!

*WARNING: Last post with pics for a while...until I can move to my website. Might not be that many posts either until then.*

Crowdtap Old Navy Dress Sample & Share (3/10/12)

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I'm a member of Crowdtap and they provide us with awesome opportunities like this where we can get products for free and share with friends! I was so happy to see in February that I could apply for a spot in the Old Navy Dress Sample & Share..and of course I did! Once you apply, you have to wait until they are letting people in...well that day came only a few days after applying (for some reason, normally its a couple weeks), and I started to see people were being let in...

I had an interview to get ready for that day and was getting directions ready...when I noticed they were passing out spots in order from length on Crowdtap...when it came around to length I've been on...well woohoo! I jumped with excitement, there was MY INVITE to JOIN! You bet I did!

Then came the part of who to bring with me...to get the other FREE dress coupon! Since, I had brought Pete's sister, Nicole, with me to the Old Navy ActiveWear Sample & Share, it was easy to invite his other sister (that lives her in SC, he has 2 other sisters in MI), Elizabeth. Of course, she accepted! She was excited to look for a dress that would be comfortable in the summer while her baby bump grows (she's due early Oct).

Well, then one has to wait for the coupons to arrive...and go between the dates provided. Coupons arrived on time, and we went on Saturday the 10th. She drove us there, which I appreciated. Then we had lunch at a tasty Mexican restaurant that I cannot remember the name of. THEN the main event!

Outside the store were girl scouts selling cookies...inside the store was a women's event, where they wanted to sell us drinks and have us provide an inspirational story...we passed. We were there for dresses, not inspiration! Old Navy was busy, but nothing ridiculous.

We grabbed bags and got right to walking around looking at all the dresses. We each grabbed about 7 dresses. The dress selection was nice, though I was still bummed some of my favs were only available online. The dresses were spread out...in different sections, I imagine by newest at the front. The only stipulation was not to get a dress on clearance! OK!

When we felt we had found all the dresses we liked to try on...we headed to the dressing room. There we would each get a dress on and then I'd take my own picture in the mirror and then take Elizabeth's picture. We would also give quick opinions of our own dress and each others. The dressing room was busier than I'd like. Here's the dresses we tried on!

Looking back at these two blue dresses I tried on, I actually like them. I wasn't sure about them at the time, but now I am. Drats! I don't think Elizabeth liked the first, the second she didn't think would expand with her baby bump. ;)

Don't mind the black socks, I kind of liked this dress. 

These dresses might have come home with us...

Oh this dress on me...sure did come home with me. Blue on Elizabeth did not.

I don't think either of us were excited about these dresses. I think the cut was good on mine, but that pattern I sure couldn't get over.

Elizabeth went with the green floral maxi dress.

I went with the blue and green striped off-white dress (makes us both think of Easter). And then I also bought the black ballerina-feeling dress.

It was a wonderful experience. These opportunities give me a chance to try colors and styles I might not normally... for some reason when its free, I branch out more! Also, I'm not sure why I kept cocking my head to the one side for all the pics, probably because I was taking my own pic. LOL. O'well.

If you'd like to join Crowdtap - join here. On Crowdtap you get what you put into it. When you join, you will get points as you complete Quick Hits (quiz questions), participate in Discussions (lengthy responses and comments on others posts), Webshares, etc. As you move up in levels you will get invites to Sample & Shares and Hosted Parties. It can take a while, but if you have the right demographics, you can expect to get one in no time! Oh, and the points you earn can be used toward gift cards and donations. I usually get the Amazon gift cards, but there are others.

All of the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I only received 2 free dress coupons from Crowdtap and Old Navy.

Old Navy Bundle-Up In-Store Party

As a member of Crowdtap, I am able to apply for sample & shares and parties...well at the end of November, I was informed that I got a spot in this Old Navy Bundle-Up In-Store Party! I was ecstatic...this meant I was able to select 3 gals to join me...and we'd all get a free outfit from Old Navy! I planned my party for Dec. 3rd, but unfortunately, the party pack with the ever important coupons did not arrive until Dec. 8th. So, the party had to be moved to after my Orlando trip. After talking to the three gals - Elizabeth, Rebekah, and Nicole - we settled on Dec. 14th after work.

Upon opening the packet, I was able to find out that we were getting one women's sweater, one pair of pants, and one winter accessory (scarf, hat, or gloves) for free! Pretty awesome! Night of Dec. 14th, 3 of us headed over to meet up with the other at Old Navy in Harbison.

We found a manager and informed them that we would be trying on stuff and taking pictures all around the store. She was nice and asked if we needed anything to find her. So, off we went. Here, there everywhere in the store...finding items to try on...we tossed items in our bags until they were full...and even carried more!

 After goofing around trying on the winter accessories, we headed to the dressing rooms with all our stuff to try on...had a mini fashion show..we'd all come out with an outfit on and take pics...and laugh or compliment...twirl and share. Until we picked out an outfit that we wanted to own!

 

 

 

 

 

 

With our selected outfit we went to pose with the mannequins before purchasing.

 

 

 

 

So, we had a lot of fun..and found plenty. At first we had felt there wasn't as much selection of items that we'd like or that some of us saw online, but in the end we definitely found outfits that we would wear. One thing, is that the Incrediboots were not all that to me. I was so excited to try them on, but when I did not one of the three pairs fit and they were all uncomfortable...so...for me I'll stick to Old Navy clothes, not their shoes.

All of the thoughts and pictures in this post are my own. The only things we received were the free items mentioned...otherwise I purchased items (a scarf, a sweater, and a pair of pants). Thank you Old Navy and Crowdtap!

If you would like to join Crowdtap to get in on these awesome in store parties - join here.