Update: this promotion is over since then. Thanks for checking, and I’ll post a new one if ever!
I just got an email from domain registrar NameCheap of their latest offer. They’re launching a free domain and hosting giveaway!
Sounds like a good thing for you to take advantage of. 
I’ll explain how it goes.
Their giveaway involves using one of the Internet’s somewhat recent yet powerful tools: social media. Internet users use online (especially free) services to meet up, discuss common interests, even make a united stand against something.
In this case, NameCheap is using a free online site called Twitter. I read it’s fast becoming among the most popular free social media services, and NameCheap’s certainly taking advantage of it.
If you’re new to Twitter, you can watch a video called “Twitter in Plain English” or read an online explanation at http://twitter.zappos.com/start. Once you’ve understood how it works, go sign up for free at Twitter.com.
(On the side, I have a Twitter account myself. Follow me at http://twitter.com/DaveZan.)
While you’re at it, signup also for a free NameCheap account if you haven’t done so yet. I’ll shortly post steps how to tie your NameCheap and Twitter account with them so you can join in.
NameCheap decided to use Twitter to keep in touch with their clients (and earn a little more business while at it, which isn’t really a bad idea if you think about it). To announce their start, they stated they’re giving away $17,000 worth of credits for their domain name, hosting, even their Secure Socket Layer (SSL) services.
The way it works, NameCheap will post in Twitter a trivia question every hour on the hour beginning December 1 (which is today) up to December 25 (Christmas Day). The first three who reply with the correct answers to their trivia questions will get a $9.69 credit to their NameCheap account.
They gave an example like this:
1. They’ll post a question like “What jolly man gives toys to boys and girls for Christmas?”
2. You send a message that says like “@namecheap (answer here). Surely you know what the answer is to that, unless you’re maybe a Scrooge. (bah, humbug…)
But in order to receive the credit should you answer promptly, again your NameCheap and Twitter account need to tie in. They listed the following steps:
1. First, log into your NameCheap account.
2. Upon login, go to My Account > Manage Profile.
3. Click the Twitter Integration link on the left.
4. Enter your Twitter username and hit Start Verification.
5. NameCheap will send a short code to your Twitter account which only you can see.
6. Enter that code on the NameCheap information page.
And that’s just about it. NameCheap will then send you the credits if you win.
Like any contest, NameCheap imposed a limit. You can win only one domain name per day.
On the other hand, they gave an arguably interesting incentive to participate further…
…a free iPod nano!
(Actually, I don’t really need that. But I know lots of people who do, and you should see their faces when they oggle at it. 
)
One other catch to that is only 3 people who answer the most questions correctly will get the iPod. But you don’t necessarily need to be the first to answer their questions, as long as you participate and give as many correct ones as possible.
Well, marketing contests do work if you’ve seen enough around by various businesses. I’d say NameCheap is making a good move with this.
I wish them the best with this promotion, and I’d like to give an advanced congratulations to the eventual winners! Hopefully that’ll be you. 
