How To Host a Social Media Giveaway Contest
Anyone running a business today should know that social media is one of the most integral and powerful tools around. Companies and influencers are able to use social media to connect with consumers, market products, and even promote their own brands. In order to maximize the benefits of this platform and generate quality engagement, businesses and brands often host social media giveaways or contests. Essentially, a social media giveaway is a raffle that grants followers a chance to win a prize while boosting engagement for the company. In this article, we will share the best tips and tricks for running a seamless social media giveaway from start to finish.
1. Define your goal and platform
Before planning your giveaway, you must define the goal you aim to achieve. Goals for giveaways can range from brand awareness to gaining followers to product promotion. When working with a digital creative agency like Bright Age, we will help you hone in on the most efficacious goal for your company.
Once your goal is determined, you will need to decide which social media platform to promote your giveaway on. The type of target audience you aim to reach with this giveaway is dependent on what platform you use. It is common for a brand to promote a giveaway contest on several platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok.
2. Set Rules
To ensure that the giveaway is fair and easy to execute, the company must set rules.For example, in order to enter the giveaway the rules may state that a user must follow the brand, like the post, and comment.In this case, less is more. Easier rules yield a more successful giveaway! Oftentimes, you will see the brand asking the followers to tag a friend so they can bring more engagement to their page. For example, in order to enter the giveaway the rules may state that a user must follow the brand, like the post, and comment.Many brands will develop a campaign hashtag to continue driving people to the giveaway. This hashtag will represent the band and will ensure that contestants remember that they are entering a giveaway associated with the company.
3. Decide on a Prize & Hashtag
There are endless opportunities when deciding on a prize. Sometimes prizes can be smaller scale, such as sweaters or posters, but can also range from items like extravagant trips or electronics. The prize you decide on should be in line with your budget and also with your goals. The type of prize you set typically dictates what type of participants will enter your giveaway.
4. Pick a Winner
Here comes the fun part! There are many ways to pick a winner for a social media giveaway, including randomly selecting a winner or choosing a winner based on prior engagement or demonstrated interest. It is worth mentioning, however, that if you will be choosing the winner (or multiple winners) at random, you should let your audience know. Sometimes at the bottom of a giveaway post, brands will write, “the winner will be chosen randomly on 2.23.2023,” just so the contestants know how the giveaway will operate. As always, transparency is key.
5. Foster a Connection
Once you decide on a winner, feel free to contact them privately or post the announcement on your brand’s socials. It is important that as a brand, you reward all of your loyal followers and giveaway participants. This could be done with a follow up message or by letting the participants know that there are more exciting giveaways around the corner. By following up, individuals will feel as though the brand actually cares about them.
When working with a digital marketing agency like Bright Age, you will receive guidance on your social media giveaway from start to finish. We will be there every step of the way, from ideation to facilitation to ultimately ensuring you are generating the best engagement possible. We can’t wait to work with you!
