Social Media Contest Ideas for Businesses

Social media contests are a great way to gain exposure and build contact lists. Social media contests are especially great for exposing your brand to new customers when your contest is shared across users’ networks. Since Facebook lifted some of their restrictions a few months ago, this holiday season is a great time to start running some contests to see what works best for your company and your audience. Running contests on any social channel also gives you the opportunity to increase your social fan base and engagement. Here are a few contest examples to gather some ideas from:

Sweepstakes to Increase Social Media Engagement:

Photo Credit: SocialMediaExaminer

HerCampus’ Twitter Sweepstakes asked followers to Tweet a picture of their dorm along with a description of the style. Use of the hashtag is also can help with engagement and increase the social factor when dorm residents search the hashtag to connect with each other.

Contest to Increase Survey Responses:

Photo Credit: SocialMediaExaminer

Hipmunk  is a travel booking site that uses these types of sweepstakes to increase survey feedback. Ratings, reviews, and feedback is very important in the travel industry, and online customer reviews are growing in importance all the time. Think about how you can use a contest, sweepstakes, or reward system to increase reviews. Just make sure to check with all of the rules and regulations in your industry and state before starting a contest; especially if it is related to reviews, it cannot be tied to positive reviews only.

Video Contest:

Photo Credit: WishPond

This type of contest increases the social quotient and engagement at the same time. Videos are great ways to connect with consumers and educate them about your brand.

Essay Contest:

Photo Credit: WishPond

An essay contest like this one, is not only engaging because people love to read fun things kids say about their moms, but it also increases content for your website and your social channels.

Photo Caption Contest:

Photo Credit: LionCountrySafari Facebook Page

People love to be witty and a caption contest does not involve a lot of “work” on the part of the entrant. It increases engagement because things that are cute, funny, or witty always do well in social channels. This Facebook page for Lion Country Safari runs regular contests for entry into their park including photo caption, photo share, and even name new baby animals via their very popular and interactive Facebook Page.