A Step-by-Step Guide to Running a Facebook Competition or Giveaway

Facebook competitions and giveaways are excellent tools to boost engagement, increase brand awareness, and attract new followers. However, they require careful planning and execution to maximise results and avoid potential pitfalls. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you run a successful Facebook competition or giveaway.

Define Your Goals

Before diving into the details, take a moment to determine what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to:

  • Increase page likes?

  • Boost engagement?

  • Drive traffic to your website?

  • Promote a specific product or service?

Having a clear goal will shape your competition’s structure and help you measure its success.

Choose a Suitable Prize

The prize is the main incentive for participation, so it needs to be appealing and relevant to your audience. Ideally, your prize should:

  • Relate to your business (e.g., a product or service you offer).

  • Have a perceived high value without breaking your budget.

  • Be specific enough to attract your target audience (e.g., avoid generic prizes like cash or vouchers if they won’t promote your brand).

Decide on the Type of Competition

The format of your competition should be simple and easy to understand. Popular ideas include:

  • Like and Comment: Ask users to like your page and comment on the post.

  • Caption Contest: Post a photo and ask followers to come up with the best caption.

  • Photo Contest: Encourage users to submit their own photos related to your brand.

  • Tag a Friend: Ask users to tag a friend who might be interested in your page or product.

Familiarise Yourself with Facebook’s Rules

Facebook has strict guidelines for running competitions. Key points to remember:

  • Competitions must not require participants to share your post or tag themselves in a photo to enter.

  • Include a disclaimer that your competition is not endorsed or sponsored by Facebook.

  • Clearly outline the terms and conditions, including entry deadlines, eligibility criteria, and how winners will be selected.

Create an Eye-Catching Post

Your competition post needs to grab attention and make the rules crystal clear. Include:

  • A compelling image or video related to your competition.

  • A clear call-to-action (e.g., “Like this post and comment below to enter!”).

  • The prize details and eligibility criteria.

  • The competition deadline.

  • A link to the full terms and conditions (if applicable).

Promote Your Competition

To reach as many people as possible, promote your competition across all your marketing channels:

  • Boost the post using Facebook Ads to target your ideal audience.

  • Share it on your other social media platforms.

  • Include it in your email newsletter.

  • Pin the post to the top of your Facebook page for visibility.

Monitor Engagement and Interact

Keep an eye on the competition’s performance and engage with participants:

  • Reply to comments and questions promptly.

  • Thank users for participating.

  • Address any concerns or issues that arise.

Announce the Winner Transparently

When the competition ends, announce the winner in a fair and transparent way:

  • Use a random name picker tool if the winner is chosen by chance.

  • Announce the winner publicly on your Facebook page and tag them if possible.

  • Contact the winner directly via private message to arrange prize delivery.

Analyse the Results

After the competition, evaluate its success based on your original goals. Metrics to analyse include:

  • Increase in page likes or followers.

  • Post engagement (likes, comments, shares).

  • Website traffic or sales (if applicable).

Use these insights to refine your approach for future competitions.

Running a Facebook competition or giveaway can be a fun and effective way to engage your audience, provided it’s well-planned and executed. By following these steps, you’ll not only boost your brand’s visibility but also create a memorable experience for your followers. Ready to level up your social media strategy? Get in touch with Digitees for tailored advice and support!