I’m pretty sure the only things we’ve ever given away on this blog in the past five years have been suggestions, advice and how-to tips. So it’s a new experience, and a pleasant one, to be able to announce a more tangible giveaway, courtesy of Hewlett-Packard (HP), in the form of a HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless All-in-One Printer. And not just one but three of them (value AU$499 each).

Before I go any further, and having been disappointed more than once or twice by trying to enter for something like this and then discover it’s only for people in the USA or Canada, I want to say upfront that this particular giveaway is only for delivery in Australia.

So each of three fortunate Australia-based readers of this blog will be receiving one of these printers, which have the following features:

• wireless (having bought ourselves a non-wireless printer I can’t say how much I would love a wireless one, but of course I can’t enter this competition!)
• professional colour documents for a claimed up to 50% less cost per page and energy than a laser printer
• combines printing, copying, scanning and faxing
• helps you produce your own marketing materials in-house (another saving, which is always interesting for us home-based bizoids)

It doesn’t make coffee or stop you spending too much time on Twitter.

But it’s a pretty neat package.

How to Enter

Easy peasy. Post a comment here, in 25 words or fewer, sharing how you believe one of these all in one printers could help you grow your business. And yes, you may leave a link (spam-free zone of course). You might like to do a blog post, or a video or a podcast and then use your comment here (still in 25 words or fewer) to link to that.

Usual transparency, not available for relatives or business partners of this blog’s authors, Des or Suzie.

All the entries that comply with these simple rules will be put through a random sorter, to find three winners.

UPDATE: Closing date and time now extended (due to unforeseen problems with Website access)

Entries will now close Friday 31st July 2009, 11pm AEST. Drawing on Saturday August 1, will not be televised but will be filmed and uploaded: it may even be livestreamed if we can sort out the technology.

Kanga cartoon from Dennis Holmes Designs