Using Social Media to Enhance Promotions

More bang for our social-media buck is what we all strive for when running promotions. But what’s the most effective means at our disposal to generate the interest and encourage participation? Are we maximizing our fullest potential?

When it comes to executing promotions of any kind with the goals of generating leads, entries and followers, there’s nothing more effective than reaching out to the fans through special invitations to participate in our contests and sweepstakes; everything from scavenger hunts and social sharing to photo contests and periscope videos — among countless others. But before you begin, you need to know how to play.

The social media landscape is constantly evolving, so you need to make sure you understand the latest dos and don’ts. For example, you can no longer use “like-gating” in your Facebook promotions but not to worry, there are other options. If Facebook is one of your planned distribution channels, why not host an “action gate” or quid pro quo — you ask followers to do “something” in exchange for a reward and as you build your qualified leads, your fans walk away enamored.

A few final tips to keep in mind. Keep the number of “required” fields to a minimum, we don’t want our fans to work too hard. Cross promote and ensure mobile compatibility! The possibilities are truly endless.