How to Run Social Media Contests and Giveaways that Captivate and Convert

By Marciana Mendoza | April 12, 2024

hello there!

How to Run Social Media Contests and
Giveaways that Captivate
and Convert

Struggling to turn your social media followers into loyal customers?

Soooo...

Social media contests and giveaways are like irresistible invitations to a party – everyone wants to join the fun and potentially win something awesome. But for businesses, they're more than just a popularity contest; they're strategic tools to attract new followers, generate buzz, and boost brand awareness.

So, how do you throw a social media party that gets everyone talking and achieves your marketing goals? Here are some winning strategies to keep your contest or giveaway booming:

Define Your Goals

Before you pick a prize and announce the contest, take a step back. What do you want to achieve with this campaign?

- Grow your follower base?
- Increase brand awareness?
- Drive traffic to your website?
- Generate user-generated content?

Having a goal will help you tailor the contest mechanics and prize selection to attract the right audience.
Know Your Audience

Who are you trying to reach with your contest? Understanding your target audience is crucial

- Chef Dads on Facebook?
- Working Mums on Instagram?
- Young professionals on LinkedIn?

Tailor your contest theme, prize selection, and platform choice to resonate with their interests.
Pick a Prize They Can't Refuse

The prize is the heart of your contest. It should be relevant to your brand and target audience.

- Products or services you offer (perfect for brand awareness)
- Exclusive experiences or merchandise (creates a sense of FOMO)
- Gift cards or experiences relevant to your niche (broadens appeal)
Craft Clear and Compelling Rules

People hate confusion. Make sure your contest rules are clear, concise, and easy to understand
- Entry requirements: Liking a post, following your account, tagging friends (align with your goals)
- Deadline for entry
- How the winner will be chosen (random draw, judge's choice, etc.)
- Terms and conditions
Pin the contest rules to your social media profile or create a dedicated landing page for easy access.
Contests and Giveaways have a tendency to attract scammers, we recommend posting something like the below on your caption:
🚨Be aware of Scammers🚨
We will not inbox you regarding this competition. Do not click on any ‘congratulation's’ comments or links in your private messages.
It is also good practice to add a disclaimer to your post stating:
The promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn
Get Creative with Entry Mechanics

Liking a post is easy, but it doesn't tell you much about engagement. Encourage active participation!

- Photo/Video Contests: Ask participants to submit photos or videos related to your brand or theme.
- User-Generated Content: Encourage people to share stories, reviews, or creative content that incorporates & tags your brand.
- Hashtags: Create a unique contest hashtag and ask participants to include it in their entries. This helps with discoverability and tracks entries easily.
- Tag-a-Friend: Encourage participants to tag friends who might be interested in the contest, expanding your reach.

Pro tip: The easier it is to enter, the more people will participate. Leverage social media's built-in features. Allow entries through comments, likes, or tagging friends depending on your chosen mechanics.
Promote, Promote, Promote! Spread the Word Before, During, and After

Don't just announce the contest and hope people find it. Promote it across all your social media channels, email marketing blasts, and even consider paid advertising to reach a wider audience. During the contest, keep the buzz going with regular updates, teasers, and reminders. After the contest, announce the winner and showcase user-generated content to maintain engagement.
Announce Your Winner(s)

Congratulate your winner(s) publicly and thank everyone who participated. This creates a sense of community and encourages future engagement.
Analyse and Learn

Track your contest's performance. How many entries did you receive? Did you reach your target audience? Analyse the data to see what worked well and what needs improvement for your next social media contests and giveaways.

Remember, it's all about creating a fun and engaging experience that benefits both you and your audience. So, get creative, have fun, and watch your social media presence flourish!