Running a Contest Using Social Media

Sonya Wood - September 21, 2009

Are you launching a new product or service? Are you looking to fill inventory at rock bottom rates? Using social media to drive hoards of traffic to your site could be the solution. Nothing brings in the people like the words “free”, “win” and “sweepstakes”.

Many businesses are using contests as a way to garner interest in a brand, product or service and get traffic to their site. Businesses can promote the contests on various social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter. Marriott, for example, recently launched a contest, “Tweet Yourself to Hawaii”. This sweepstakes allows you to enter for a chance to win a trip to Hawaii using your Twitter username and login. Also, you can enter for another chance on Facebook.

It is important to make sure the prize is something people want. Free t-shirts are not as appealing as a free iPod or even a cash prize. Is the contest something that is easy to share with friends making it have a viral effect? Contests should be fun and engaging. This is not the time to tout a brand, focus on the contest and so will visitors.

When beginning a contest, it is important to let people know about it. Press releases, tweets, blogs, forums and even links to the contest on your site are all good ways to get exposure for your contest. Contests are a great way to increase traffic to your site and get people more engaged in your brand.