Tips for running successful Facebook contests
Running successful Facebook contests can significantly boost your brand’s reach, engagement, and the acquisition of new loyal followers. In today's digital frenzy, brands constantly compete for audience attention, and Facebook contests have proved to be an excellent strategy for achieving this. Moreover, incorporating an Employee Advocacy twist could catalyze your results further. So here are tips on how to do this:
1. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE AND THEIR INTERESTS:
Tailoring your contest to what interests your audience can lead to increased participation. Use the Facebook Audience Insights tool to identify key trends and interests. Align your contest and prizes with their desires to effectively turn them into fans and consumers.
2. DEFINE YOUR GOALS:
Clearly defining your goals is crucial. Whether it be driving traffic, improving brand awareness, or gaining new subscribers, your contest should cater to achieving these goals. Establish precise, measurable outcomes before you start.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF CONTEST:
From quizzes to photo caption contests, there are numerous contest types to explore. Select the one which aligns with your brand image and audience. Remember, the contest type should match your goal.
4. INCORPORATE EMPLOYEE ADVOCACY:
Employees are your brand's hidden marketing goldmine. Their social reach, authenticity, and credibility can often outperform your brand's page. Encourage employees to participate in the contests, share them within their networks, or even better, let them be the face of your contests.
5. MAKE IT EASY TO ENTER:
The easier it is to participate, the more entries you’re likely to receive. Make the process uncomplicated, instructive, and ensure a user-friendly experience.
6. INCENTIVIZE WITH RELEVANT PRIZES:
While it’s essential to attract a lot of entries, it’s even more important to attract the right entries. Your incentive or prize should be something related to your brand. Thus, your contest will appeal to people interested in what you offer, in turn, providing you with a list of potential leads.
7. PROMOTE YOUR CONTEST:
Spread the word about your contest to reach a wider audience. Announce it on your website, newsletter, and other social media platforms. Furthermore, Facebook ads can be a powerful tool for targeting specific demographics. Here again, employee advocacy can play a significant role. Initiating a company-wide communication will have your employees back you up by sharing it on their respective accounts.
8. TRACK YOUR RESULTS:
Post-contest, dive deep into analytics to draw insights. How many people participated? How many new leads and followers did you gain? How widely was the contest shared? Measure these metrics against your goals to understand your successes and areas of improvement.
Facebook contests are an incredible way to build a dynamic, engaged community around your brand. With these strategies in hand, planning your Facebook contest now becomes a more informed, result-yielding process. Incorporating the power of Employee Advocacy will not only enrich your reach but also add a layer of credibility to your contests. Your employees, being the faces behind your brand, can significantly influence people in their network, which in turn, may expedite your brand's popularity and trustworthiness.