Day 7 of 12 Days of Holiday Marketing Tips for Your WAHM Business - Running a Giveaway or Contest
The holidays seem to be filled with giveaways and contests. Like I mentioned yesterday in Day 6 of Holiday Marketing Tips, people are in the mood to give during the holidays.
This year I have seen more give away then I have ever seen in my entire life (all # years of it). It is most likely due to the recession and businesses trying to use whatever tactics they can to get more customers. And I think it works. It brings people to the stores and once they are there, they might as well buy.
Today's Holiday Marketing Tip is have a giveaway or contest to drive customers to your WAHM business.
For your giveaway or contest to be successful, you have to plan ahead. I know I keep saying that, "plan ahead." However, planning is about 80% of the process. From there you can then delegate tasks and keep on track.
The items you want to plan regarding your giveaway or contest during your holiday marketing are:
Spreading the word - You can use local channels like the media to spread the word. Send out press releases and get the media excited about your giveaway or contest.
Use direct mail or email marketing to announce your contest to your current customers and encourage them to spread the word as well. You can do this by offering a contest or giveaway that includes a winner and their friend. This is popular with travel contests. Who would travel alone anyway!
Make it easy for others to spread the word about your giveaway or contest. Have banners or materials available to for them to give out.
Go online and find giveaway and contest directories that will list your event. This will drive traffic to your website therefore be prepared with a webpage about your giveaway or contest.
Plan the Event - Have a detailed plan written out for the giveaway or contest so that you can delegate any tasks necessary. This can also be used as a checklist to keep on track. Check your list, and check it twice; make sure you are not forgetting anything.
The Rules - Rules, shmulz. I guess there have to be rules. Here is where you can hire a fancy lawyer to throw together some wonderful rules and guidelines for your giveaway or contest, or not. But this is up to you. Many states have laws regarding giveaways and contests and you don't want to break any laws. I would advice you to check with your attorney regarding this, as I am not an attorney and therefore not qualified to do so.
However, regarding the guidelines of your giveaway or contest, you should keep it as simple as possible. The more complicated something gets the less likely someone will want to get involved. Also, have simple to understand instructions layed out for the giveaway or contest participants to follow.
Run the Event and Give Away the Prizes - You must be ethical and follow thru with your promises.
Track and Analyze - Make sure you are getting involved in a win-win situation and not giving away the store!
