How to Run a Successful Facebook Giveaway

Are Facebook contests or sweepstakes a facet of your business’ social media marketing strategy?
Gaining new Fans, increasing your posts’ reach, and generating new leads and sales are some of the many benefits your organization can reap from running contests and giveaways through social media. And with the decreased reach many businesses have seen through Facebook over the last year, contests are an easy way to give your Page an instant boost!
However, to avoid contest failure and attract the right participants to your Page, it’s important to follow these five rules:

  1. READ FACEBOOK’S GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

Facebook boasts more than a billion users now and has more rules of conduct than you may realize! Be sure to read through the site’s standard contest and giveaway guidelines.
With any contest or giveaway, it’s important you provide a description of the prize/prizes, list the entry period, explain who is eligible to participate, state how the winner/winners will be chosen, and are transparent about how Fans’ information (e.g., email addresses/contact info) will be used by your organization.

  1. PICK THE RIGHT PRIZE

A contest or giveaway should showcase your business’ services or products. Fans are LIKING your Facebook Page because they are interested in learning more about your business, what you have to offer and what makes you unique. For example, if you’ve opened a new café, curious Fans would value a free dinner for two, and ideally their free experience at the restaurant will turn into some priceless word-of-mouth marketing for your business.

  1. BRAND IT

Include your company’s web and social media URLs in your contest posts. Your Facebook giveaway or contest’s images will likely be SHARED throughout the social network—so it is important other Facebook users can easily find your website and social media pages to learn more about your brand!

  1. BUILD A BUZZ

When running a contest or giveaway, it’s important to ramp up your business’ social media presence. It’s okay to shoot out reminders to Fans that the contest is still going on. With some giveaways and contests, it may also help to integrate it into other areas of your business’ marketing strategy. This can include channels like your company blog or news section of your website, email marketing, company newsletter, receipts, in-store signage, or traditional media like radio and television ads.

  1. GAIN SOME MILEAGE FROM THE CONTEST’S ENTRY PROCESS

While it’s important you don’t make the process too intimidating or intrusive, gain mileage from your contest through tactics like an entry form checkbox for contestants to sign up for company eblasts.

⊗  Yes, I’d like to sign up to receive emails about upcoming sales.

 
Is your organization struggling to see results from your Facebook marketing efforts? Baer Performance Marketing is helping businesses generate real leads and sales through social media. Contact us today to learn more!