Category: Consultation

How to Create Sweepstakes and Contests So Easy Anyone Can Enter

One of the biggest problems we see with online sweepstakes and contest concepts is that they can get overcomplicated or are run on platforms that the target audience is not using. When that happens, people get confused and do not enter — or worse, start bad-mouthing your brand. It’s time to start creating contests and sweepstakes so easy anyone can enter. As we like to say, don’t set the

April 18, 2019

Tear Pad Entry Form vs Online Registration Form

Cheryl Thornton, Account Supervisor, contributes this post about tear pad entry forms vs online registration forms. Long before the start of internet promotions, the ways to enter a sweepstakes were either to 1) mail a 3X5 card to a designated P.O. Box, or 2) to complete a tear pad entry form found on displays in stores or other establishments and deposit it into a ballot box provided. In some

March 28, 2019

How to Spot a Sweepstakes Scam

A sweepstakes scam, or poorly run promotion, gives legitimate sweepstakes agencies and promotional marketing companies a bad name. Know what to look for to spot a sweepstakes scam, or a company that runs them. Here is a list of things to look for in a sweepstakes, or game of chance, that you should avoid, or at least be cautious of: 1. Super low odds: Any sweepstakes where there will be

March 13, 2019

5 Ways to Improve How You Run a Giveaway on Social Channels

Do you want to know how to run a giveaway on social channels, but are looking for how to do it legally and using best practices? Here are 5 things to consider when you run a giveaway. 1. Include rules. While a good many “giveaways” on social do not seem to have a legal set of rules, that doesn’t mean you don’t need them! Official rules are what protect

February 27, 2019

10 Ways to Promote Your Sweepstakes or Giveaway

Here are 10 ways to promote your sweepstakes, giveaway or contest. It’s up to you, and your budget, to find the best way to reach your current and future customers. When you use any of these methods, please remember to use the correct disclaimer language and include a way to access the full rules, either in print or online. 1. Posting to your social channels FREE Posting about your sweepstakes on your company or

February 14, 2019

Sweepstakes Email Opt-in Best Practices

The primary purpose of many sweepstakes is to build a brand’s mailing list; having a valid email opt-in on the sweepstakes registration page is imperative to the success of the promotion. If you fail to use best practices when setting up your opt-in, then your ability to email users for the purposes you had in mind may be at risk. Here are 3 things to keep in mind when

February 6, 2019

3 New Year’s Resolutions for a Better Promotional Marketing Plan

As the year winds down, it’s that time again when people start thinking about setting resolutions to make the coming year better than the last one. And while it’s usually personal resolutions that make the headlines, like joining a gym or eating less takeout, it’s also a good time to make some resolutions for your business. This year, why not think about incorporating some simple actions to take your

December 19, 2018

Contest Laws by State

Before you run a promotion in the United States, you might want to check sweepstakes or contest laws by state. Some states have more vigorous laws regulating sweepstakes and contests and you can’t claim you didn’t know what you didn’t know after the fact – there may be big fines for non-compliance. Here is a sampling of states that have strict laws regarding promotions: Florida: In Florida you must register

August 17, 2018

What is a Sweepstakes?

A sweepstakes is a chance promotion, where a winner is randomly selected from all eligible entries. Entries into a sweepstakes must either be free for all, or if you want to encourage purchase for entry, then an alternate, free method of entry (AMOE) must also be available. Luck determines a sweepstakes winner rather than any skill or payment. For a sweepstakes you typically collect only the information you need from an entrant to award the

July 6, 2018

10 Questions to Ask Before Partnering with a Promotion Agency

A contest, sweepstakes, instant win game or other promotion concept may be a great way for your client to increase sales and build their branding efforts, but if you have never done a promotion before don’t try to do it alone. You will need an experienced, knowledgeable promotion marketing agency to partner with you to make sure you run a legal, compliant, successful promotion. But what should you look for

June 28, 2018