Five tips for getting your audience to enter contests on your Facebook page

One of the best tactics for growing and engaging your audience on Facebook is to run contests. By enabling a like gate for your contest, you can require users to like your page and/or the pages of your contest sponsors before they can enter. Engaging potential fans is easier said than done- it takes time and planning on your part, but the payoff is huge. Ad Age recapped a study done by SocialCode, which found fans are 291% more likely to interact with your page (contest submission, contest voting, sweepstakes entry, program sign-up, etc.) than non-fans.

Below, we’ve outlined some tips on how you can increase the participation of your Facebook contests.

1. Make Posts. If you run a contest on your Facebook page you need to tell your audience about it. To maximize your engagement, make Facebook posts throughout the duration of your contest. Post important dates, such as the beginning and end of submission and voting periods. The key is to alert your audience that the contest is still running. Just don’t over do it and make them feel that they are getting spammed. Remember “pinned” posts stay at the top of your wall for seven days.





2. Be Visual. When you scroll down your news feed you only stop to take a look at a couple things- a friend’s status or any picture. Pictures are a great way to break up text and capture your viewer’s attention. If your contest is well branded then post a screenshot the next time you promote it. Otherwise, use a picture or graphic that can help promote the contest.





3. Give Something Away. Hopefully you’re giving something away as a prize, but it’s usually only for one or two winners. To see higher participation, give something away to every player. It doesn’t have to be a big giveaway. Ask your sponsor to provide a voucher, coupon or special offer for anyone who enters. Your players will feel rewarded before the contest ever starts.





4. Promote Your Contest. If you really want to grow your Facebook participation, encourage your players to enter your contest on Facebook instead of your website. Direct all players to find you on Facebook to take part in your contest.





5. Stay engaged. Engagement shouldn’t end because your contests is over. Ask your audience questions about the contest. “What was your favorite picture? What contests would you like to see next?” What prizes would you like to win? If your next contest is already planned, take advantage of this opportunity and start promoting your new contest while you still have active listeners.