Category: Contests

Trick or Treat with these Halloween Promotion Ideas

Saying goodbye to summer can be difficult, but fall has officially arrived, and Halloween decorations, pumpkin spice, cozy sweaters, apple cider, and costume brainstorming are creeping onto everyone’s radar. Don’t get ghosted by the season—now is the perfect time to plan Halloween-themed promotions that surprise, delight, and engage your customers. Here are a few fang-tastic Halloween contest and prize ideas to help you stir up seasonal excitement: Pumpkin Carving Photo

September 22, 2026

Name Your Halloween Promotion! Use Our Super Scary Formula….

Use our creepy formula as inspiration for your next Halloween promotion for your brand. Your scary combination of words could be the next spine-tingling brand success story! Use the first letter of your first name as your promotion descriptor: A = The Scary B = The Spooky C = The Creepy D = The Terrifying E = The Eerie F = The Spine-Tingling G = The Bone-Chilling H = The

September 15, 2026

Tips for a Football Sweepstakes

Football season is back! Time for tailgating and weekend fun watching the travel, high school, college, and professional games. You might think that it would be a great time to promote your business by giving away game tickets or running a football sweepstakes. And it is! People love winning free tickets or team merchandise, especially autographed items or trips to big games. However, there are three questions to ask before

August 7, 2026

Promotion Laws by State

In the United States, promotion laws vary by state but are universally bound by the federal FTC Guidelines. To legally run a sweepstakes, you must provide a free alternate method of entry (AMOE), so you do not have an illegal lottery. State laws enforce different rules based on the size of the prize and whether they involve retail entry. Before you run a promotion in the United States, you might

July 20, 2026

Back to School Promotion Planning

There are a lot of shoppers and eyes online in July, August and September. Perfect timing for running online promotions geared toward back-to-school. And now is the perfect time to start planning! Simple Back to School sweepstakes with great prizes is always popular as there is low or no barrier to entry, yet the reward can be high. A social sweepstakes may work for a campus event. User-generated content contests

June 30, 2026

Regulated Industries and Sweepstakes

Some regulated industries require special disclosures and/or have special legal requirements for running sweepstakes. These regulated industries include alcohol, tobacco, gasoline, dairy, banking, pharmaceuticals, and cause-related marketing. It is absolutely essential to know the laws of these industries, or partner with a promotional marketing firm who works with legal counsel who is familiar with these laws, before undertaking a contest or sweepstakes. Navigating sweepstakes in these sectors requires careful planning

June 23, 2026

How the High Cost of Gas Affects Your Promotional Offers

High gas prices have driven a shift in consumer behavior and marketing tactics. Americans are driving less and changing vacation plans, leading companies to reallocate marketing budgets toward digital giveaways. Sweepstakes now increasingly focus on offering “free” gas money and food to attract cash-strapped consumers. The current combination of higher fuel costs, inflation, and restricted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed the national average for regular gasoline to

May 21, 2026

Sweepstakes Prizes are Considered Income by the IRS

In the eyes of the IRS, a sweepstakes prize is not a “gift,” it is income. Under the Internal Revenue Code, specifically Section 61, “all income from whatever source derived” is taxable unless a specific exception exists. Because sweepstakes winnings are considered “other income” (similar to a bonus or a second job), they are subject to the same federal and state income tax rates as your regular salary. Here is

May 21, 2026

What is a Potential Prize Winner?

In lawful and promotional contexts, a potential prize winner is someone whose entry has been selected in a contest or sweepstakes, but whose eligibility hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. Unlike how many onlookers have speculated on message boards that it seems to be a scammy term, rest assured, it is not (unless being used by a scammer, of course!). Think of it as a “pre-verification” stage. If you get a

May 15, 2026

Best Practices for Running a Pet-Themed Promotion

When running a pet-themed promotion, you are tapping into a deeply emotional space. For many, pets are family members, and the stakes for health and safety are much higher than a standard giveaway. Here are the essential do’s and don’ts for a successful and ethical pet promotion: The Do’s: Focusing on Health and Safety DO prioritize safety standards. Ensure any physical prizes (toys, treats, or gear) meet rigorous safety certifications. Avoid

April 30, 2026