I realize this is not tied directly to Tess software. However, since there are Tess conference sessions and webinars on digital trends, digital marketing, etc., I hope it is OK to ask this question via the Marketing forum.
Have you run a contest on Facebook for your organization?
“Rock of Ages” [arena rock musical set in the 80’s] is coming to our venue at the end of January. Starting next week, I’d like to hold an “80’s Big Hair” photo contest on our Facebook page to help spark interest in the production. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s done a photo contest on FB, where fans submit photos to be entered into a prize drawing.
This seemed easy to me until I Googled “Facebook contests” - and saw all the legal warnings to protect against spam and false contests.
Basically, fans will be invited to post their best (biggest) 80’s hair photo to enter the contest.
We’ll post start/end date for submissions, no purchase necessary. LEGAL: Facebook is neither a partner nor a sponsor in this contest.
And announce the winner on FB, blog, twitter, etc.
If you’ve done something similar, did you create a photo album and ask fans to post directly to that album? I’d like to have all the photos in one place when it comes time to judge them – and have one spot where fans can see all the photos together.
I’m thinking each new photo posted to the album would also show up on our wall?
In regard to contacting the winner, I just plan to send them a message on Facebook.
Any input would be appreciated!
Chris
Hi, Chris -
This is from our Social Media guy here at Center Theatre Group:
I’ve done these sorts of contests, but I’ve use an application called Wildfire. There’s a fee associated, but it makes submission, organizing and judging very simple. The fee is minimal.
That would be my suggestion. Wildfireapp.com
Hi Chris -
We've done a variety of Facebook contests and found that the less effort people have to do, the better. We've also found that there is a certain embarrassment factor that you have to weave around. The most successful contests have been one that link to funny things already online. Our patrons just post links to funny things (i.e. the funniest youtube dance picture). This eliminates them having to do something (i.e. find and scan a picture) and also makes for some fun 'search the web while at work' time. :P
Even our 'successful' contests, they are still a teeny percentage of our followers.
HTH,
Heather