I even vote for some people when I don't really like their entries, if they've consistently written things I do like, so I feel like they deserve the chance to continue-- and because I usually enjoy their writing and expect I will enjoy it again!

I also think it's important to tell people it's okay to self-promote. I have seen a couple people who have talked about being worried they might be going home, but haven't provided links to the polls in their LJ for their friends to vote for them. Asking people to vote for you doesn't mean you think you're the best; it doesn't mean you're shameless-- it means you enjoy the competition and would like to keep writing next week!