If business is feeling a little flat, then an online contest may be just what you need to bring customers crashing through the door. Online promotions these days, however, are nothing like their offline counterparts. It used to be that in order to reach a lot of people, businesses had to use mass media (TV, print and radio) to get the word out. With the Internet though, the playing field has become even, and anyone with a message can get their word out.
So why create an online promotion?
Contests and promotions have always been a cost-effective way to create excitement and drum up business for companies – and the internet age hasn’t changed that; it’s only made it easier. The good news? Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can create a contest. The bad news? Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can create a contest. Just check your spam mailbox and look through the dozens of sweepstakes and promos you get (tucked in between those funny-sounding emails from Nigeria and the ad for “enhancement” pills.) With the influx of all this information, how can you make your online contest stand out?
Know your objective.
Different contests have different objectives. Some may want to bring in new customers; others may seek to increase sales of a new product. It doesn’t make sense to create a contest asking participants to send in their best mac and cheese recipe when all you really want is to collect email and home addresses to create a marketing database. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you focus and allow you to allocate your resources properly.
Know the rules and the logistics.
Check with your local, provincial or national regulations regarding such contests. Games of chance are often governed by a set of rules and these rules will determine the mechanics of any contest. Make sure it is within the limits of the law.
After determining the objective and knowing the confines you’ll be working in, you’ll have to determine the logistics. How will people join? How do you get the message out to them and how will you choose a winner.
Engage your audience with content.
If you notice, we haven’t mentioned anything about prizes yet. Sure, a brand new car or a trip to the Bahamas will definitely catch people’s attention, but it is how you interact with participants that will keep them coming back to you. It’s all about immersing them in the brand experience – having them remember YOU, the company, long after the promotion has passed. This is the part where the best of the best stand out – any company can create a promotional contest, but it takes a great company to create a contest that sticks in people’s minds.
If you think an online contest is right for you, then you can get started right away by contacting us. We’ll come up with a solution that meets your objectives and come up with the right content that resonates with your audience.
Still not convinced? Check out this case study for one of our most successful campaigns – Future Shop Hunt. Gather. Win.
