What are the dos and don'ts of running social media contests?

Certainly! Running social media contests can be an effective way to engage your audience, increase brand awareness, and even generate leads or sales. However, there are important dos and don'ts to keep in mind to ensure that your contests are successful and comply with platform rules and regulations.

**Dos:**

1. **Set Clear Goals**: Define the purpose of your contest. Are you aiming to increase followers, encourage user-generated content, or drive website traffic? Setting clear objectives will help you design the contest effectively.

2. **Choose the Right Platform**: Select the social media platform(s) where your target audience is most active. Different platforms have different contest rules and formats, so choose accordingly.

3. **Create Engaging Content**: Develop visually appealing and attention-grabbing content to promote your contest. Use compelling graphics, videos, and captions to entice participation.

4. **Establish Clear Rules**: Clearly outline the rules, entry requirements, and eligibility criteria for your contest. Include details such as entry deadlines, how winners will be selected, and prize information.

5. **Use Hashtags**: Create a unique hashtag for your contest to track entries and encourage participants to share their submissions on social media, thus increasing visibility and engagement.

6. **Promote Widely**: Promote your contest across multiple channels, including social media, email newsletters, and your website, to reach a broader audience and maximize participation.

7. **Engage with Participants**: Respond to comments, questions, and interactions related to the contest promptly. Engaging with participants helps build rapport and encourages further participation.

8. **Follow Up**: After the contest ends, announce the winners publicly, thank participants for their participation, and fulfill any promises or prizes promptly.

**Don'ts:**

1. **Overcomplicate Entry Requirements**: Keep entry requirements simple and straightforward to encourage maximum participation. Avoid overly complex or confusing rules that may deter potential participants.

2. **Ignore Platform Guidelines**: Familiarize yourself with the contest guidelines and policies of the social media platform(s) you're using. Violating platform rules could result in penalties such as account suspension or removal of your contest.

3. **Forget Legal Considerations**: Ensure your contest complies with relevant laws and regulations, including those related to promotions, data privacy, and intellectual property rights. Consult legal counsel if necessary.

4. **Rely Solely on Prize Incentives**: While prizes can attract participants, ensure that the contest itself is engaging and offers value beyond just the incentive. Focus on creating a fun and interactive experience for participants.

5. **Exclude Non-Winners**: Even participants who don't win should feel appreciated. Consider offering discounts or special offers to all participants as a gesture of gratitude.

6. **Delay Prize Fulfillment**: Fulfill prize obligations promptly after the contest ends to maintain participants' trust and satisfaction. Delays in prize distribution can lead to negative feedback and damage your brand reputation.

7. **Disregard Feedback**: Gather feedback from participants after the contest ends to understand what worked well and areas for improvement. Use this insight to refine your future contests and engagement strategies.

By following these dos and don'ts, you can run successful social media contests that effectively engage your audience and achieve your marketing goals.