7 Promotional Tips for your Strutta Contest using Social Media

So you've come up with a fantastic contest idea with an interesting premise and an awesome prize.

You want your contest to:

• raise awareness of your brand.
• introduce a new product or feature.
• engage your existing customers.
• increase site traffic and attract new customers.
• encourage the creation of great new user generated content
• any combination or all of the above.

You've gone through Strutta's promotion builder.  You've chosen a domain name and designed a slick style to match your brand. Your contest is set up for greatness, so don't stop now...You've got to spread the word!

An online contest, no matter how great the premise or prize, could always use a some "word of mouth" help, using social media, in order to be even more successful.  There are many resources available, so here are some tips to help get you started.

1. Website and Blog

The first place you'll want to promote your contest is on your website and blog.  Feature it prominently on your homepage.  Highlight the contest premise and prize, and invite users to participate by demonstrating how easy it is to enter.  Let any subscribers you may already have know about your new and exciting contest!  Users should be just one click away from accessing the contest on your website or blog homepage.

2. Twitter

Tweeting about your contest to your existing followers is a great way to get the word out.  Always include a link to the contest site.  "Retweets" of your contest will reach the eyes of more potential contest participants and promoters.  If you don't know Twitter, acquaint yourself with Common Craft's Twitter in Plain English video.

3. Facebook

It has grown to become the largest social network worldwide with over 300 million active users.  Create a "Page" on Facebook for your campaign.  Update your friends and fans with featured entries, the contest's progress, and encourage participation!

4. Other social networks and websites

Get the word out in other relevant major and/or niche social networks.  Consider promoting your contest on YouTube with a "how to enter" video, or break the news of your promotion to relevant online communities you are a contributor to.

5. Link

Blog, tweet and post quality content that will spark interest, initiate conversation and provoke action.  Generate legitimate buzz that will encourage friends, bloggers, news sources and other website owners to link to you. Turning the spotlight on existing entries is a great way to keep the buzz going. Don't forget to give some love in your messages too.  Include links and thanks to your supporters and sponsors as well.  What goes around usually comes back around again.

6. Connect

Get in touch with friends, family, clients, colleagues, neighbors...tell everybody you know about it!  You can also reach out to the masses at affiliated schools, campuses, sports organizations, clubs, community centers, and cafes.  Don't underestimate the power of your voice and other offline options. 

The key is to find your niche, and to keep promoting the contest and new entries.  Be mindful of your actions, and be careful not to engage in any activity that could be viewed as spam.  Nobody likes a spammer!

7. Repeat

Using the "Custom Survey" tool in Strutta, you can ask up to three survey questions of participants. We encourage you to use one of these to ask permission to contact people after the contest is finished. Sign the "yesses" up to your email newsletter, and share more valuable info about your company. And of course, tell them about your next contest, too. Each subsequent promotion will be more successful than the last!

Contact us to learn more about Strutta, how to create your own online video, photo, audio or text contests, and how to get the most of your online promotion.

These 7 tips should get you on the right track.  If you've got some favorite promotional tactics using social media of your own, feel free to share them in a comment to this post!