My approach to marketing has always been similar to that of a contractor. I see myself with a virtual tool belt holding a myriad of tools I can utilize based upon the job at hand. Many times it’s a combination of tools that gets the job done. One of my all-time favorite tools are online…
Social Media Contests
The 5 Most Skipped Steps When Running a Sweepstakes
Are you thinking of running a sweepstakes? When I was 20, my dad gave me a tape set by Jack Canfield. Jack started the talk by stating almost all of what he was about to teach that day, the audience most likely already knew. They had probably already been to many similar motivational, inspiration and…
Are You Dragging Your Pivot Foot When Creating Online Sweepstakes?
I live on the outskirts of Toronto, Canada, and the past months I got to experience first-hand a literal explosion of Raptors themed ads, promotions, and online sweepstakes as everyone tries to create an online sweepstakes. I am sure other cities have experienced the onslaught of vivacity, but not mine. Almost every brand I follow…
Coupons or Discounts Are Not Sweepstakes Prizes
Sweepstakes prizes come intuitively to some marketers. To other marketers, they do things that are just plain bad marketing. I noticed this recently on April 1st. Let me explain. On April 1st many companies post clever tongue-in-cheek announcements about new products and services. All across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram I saw everything from bad breath…
What Would You Do If Your Contest Went Viral?
If your creative social media contest gets larger than you’ve anticipated what do you do? Learn and address any issues before you have them.
What You Don’t Know Will Kill Your Sweepstakes
How do you learn what you don’t know – especially if it is about a free online sweepstakes? Listen. Listen to your colleagues, peers, mentors, etc. and more importantly, listen to your prospects, customers and clients. Why would I be stating the obvious? December is Online Sweepstakes Season. Online Sweepstakes Season is the period between…
Create A Successful Holiday Giveaway in 5 Easy Steps
Although Holiday Sweepstakes Season has already begun, it’s not too late to create seasonal giveaways. Optimally, you should be planning all your marketing activities, including giveaways, on an annual basis, but there should also always be space for spontaneity and impulsive creativity. Nothing is more fun than getting into the holiday spirit by giving gifts…
How to Prevent “Prize Pigs” from Entering and Winning Your Sweepstakes
Although I have previously written about the different aspects of how entrants such as prize pigs cheat to win a sweepstakes, how to prevent it, and how to turn your biggest fans into brand ambassadors and influencers, it seemed time to reiterate, review and update the topic as social channels and platforms continue to evolve….
How to Blend Social Media Contests with Offline Events
My first business professor in college said, “Marketing is marketing is marketing”. That has always stuck with me because I knew what the underlying message was. No matter what the vehicle: print, television, social media, etc., how you connect and engage with prospects and customers is always the same. Social media is the new flashy…
Where Do “Professional Sweepers” Come From?
One question I frequently get when presenting my services to prospects is, “How can we stop ‘professional’ sweepers entering?” I hate that question, because: I do not earn my living winning. It is not my profession. I consult for a living. I enter giveaways as a hobby. Marketers don’t understand they are the ones that…
Do You Have a Back-End Social Media Marketing Plan?
Back End Marketing is the marketing activity least done by companies, and it’s one of the most important. When I meet someone new and they find out what I do for a hobby, I usually get peppered with questions. One of the most frequently asked questions is, “No one really wins, do they?” Why do…
Why Social Media Contests Must ALWAYS Have Official Rules
My #1 tip for entrants is: ALWAYS READ THE RULES. Why? If you don’t read the official rules, you can inadvertently disqualify yourself. My #1 tip for marketers is similar: ALWAYS HAVE OFFICIAL RULES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS. Why? If you do not have official rules, you are opening yourself up to all types of…
Hooks That Make Contests and Sweepstakes Successful
Want to run successful social media contests? Consider this: What makes a contest attract 10.000 participants or only 20? The difference might be about the way the it’s promoted, or possibly due to the perceived chances of winning the prize(s). Contests and online sweepstakes are attractive by nature, because you gain the opportunity of winning…
The Anatomy of Well-Executed Facebook Contest Posts for Mobile
I am a contest-junkie. I enter 4-5 online sweepstakes and contests a day. I know it’s a lot, and forgive me, but this is because of my job (and okay, I like entering contests and analyzing Facebook contest posts). I subscribe to these contests during the day both from my computer and mobile. And I…
6 Benefits of Running Social Media Contests
If you spend quite a number of hours on Facebook, Twitter or any social networking sites, I’m sure you’ve stumbled-upon social media contests before. I love seeing how businesses are using contest to promote their business, especially brands that I’m already a fan of. I participate in most of them and it turns out that…
6 Twitter and Social Media Contest Ideas Worth Exploring
A Twitter contest is a great way to increase engagement, increase followers as well as increase product awareness. How many times have you seen businesses organizing a “RT to win” or a “Follow to win” contest? Running a contest in Twitter can be really simple and clean and, without a doubt, Twitter is a great…