Winning with competitions

Written on the 15 November 2012 by Snap Marketing

Running a competition can bring huge benefits to your business, whether you want to sell products or grow your social media following. Youll need to prepare it properly if you want your competition to be effective and give you an edge against your rivals.

Set your objectives

Sell more products? Increase your database? Grow your social media page likes? Your competition objectives will dictate the prize and mechanics.

Choose your prize

The prize will depend on your budget and the clients you want to attract. It needs to provide a big enough incentive to entice clients to enter. Some popular prize options include:

• Cash prizes.
• Spa breaks for two.
• Family holidays.
• Gift vouchers.
• Free products.

Choose your competition mechanic

Competitions fall into two legal categories: game of skill or game of chance (or lottery).

1. Game of skill: Your clients will have to answer a question that requires a minimum level of knowledge or talent. For example, What is your favourite brand of coffee and why? Tell us in 25 words or less.
2. Lottery: No questions are asked or skills required. Your clients enter into the draw along with other competition entrants.

The golden rule for any competition, whether its a game of skill or a lottery, is to keep it as simple as possible and make the instructions crystal clear.

Choose your platform

You should choose the platform where the clients you want to attract spend most of their time:

• Facebook: If you want to grow your social media following, Facebook is a popular choice. Just be aware of the rules around running competitions on Facebook before you get started.
• Website: If your clients enter via your website, they might spend more time on other pages and potentially your online store.
• In-store: Run a competition in-store and your clients will benefit from a personal approach.

Remember the rules

Every state in Australia has varying competition laws that you will need to comply with. Check the rules in each state and apply for any necessary permits well in advance.

Competitions can be extremely rewarding for your business and clients, and they dont have to break your budget.

Your local Snap Centre, Snap website or social media platforms (Facebook, Google+ and Twitter) will keep you up-to-date about any competitions we are running.