Yesterday I wrote about extending your reach on Facebook, one of the tips was to create a contest. Have you created any contests for your page? Because there are so many people running contests and running ads to them, you have to make sure you set yourself apart from those. You have to make yours stand out from your competitors.
Here are 4 tips on building a contest.
1. Connect Your Contest To Other Social Media Platforms: Don't just limit your contest to just Facebook, use other channels to get your contest in front of people. Giving away an IPad or gift cards are not enough to attract the attention of social followers.
HuHot Mongolian Grill held a contest where fans could submit their favorite recipes. They set it up that each franchise competed against each other and there was a winner from each location. Not only was their contest posted on their Business Page they also set up a Pinterest Board to display the recipes.
Pinterest is a great way to display pictures of your contests and using Twitter is a great way to give quick, short updates about the contest.
2. Use Location Based Services In Your Contest: This works great if you are a local business and you are trying to drum up some new customers. Even if you are not a local business, it is a great way to ensure that people are not only thinking about your brand, they are also physically going to a location to interact directly with your brand. This can be a local brick and morta business or a much larger brand such as an airline.
If you are able to convince your followers that you are worthy of them taking the time to go to your location (physically or online), you are closer to converting them into a paying customer.
Southwest Airlines asked their customers to check in at their locations within the airport and they would donate $1 per check in to Make A Wish Foundation. Not only did they raise lots of money for their charity but also increase their fans by 30,000.
Many people do not incorporate location based into their Facebook campaigns. This could set you apart from others as it helps with engagement and keeping your followers from coming back.
3. Include Your Followers When Choosing A Winner: By keeping your contest interactive, it gives your followers a reason to keep checking your page.
On the other hand, when you run a contest based on what your fans want, this will give people a bigger reason to keep checking your Facebook Page to see who wins.
Last year, Zipcar hosted a contest where they had their followers pick the winner. They asked their followers to write, under 750 characters, why they wanted to take a trip to one of Zipcar's cities.
Zipcar narrowed the entries to 50 people who were then asked to create a video on why they wanted the trip. They posted the finalist to their Facebook Page where over 1000 fans voted for the winner.
Keeping your fans engaged will lead to increased engagement, more shares and they will stay active as they have a interest with the person they voted for.
4. Use Other Parts Of Facebook To Promote Your Contest: You can use Facebook Ads to advertise your contest. Make sure you follow Facebook Guidelines when you are creating your ads.
When creating Facebook Contests, think outside of the box. You want as many eyes viewing your contest as possible. Can you think of other ways to use Facebook contests?
If this was helpful, please share and comment below.
To Your Success,
Anita Levesque
http://facebook.com/anitawaltonlevesque --------------------> Like my page over here.
207-619-0307
PS. If you would like to be coached on building your brand and business on Facebook, click here to review the packages.