Over the past decade, Twitter has established itself as one of the leading and influential social media marketing platforms. We have also witnessed numerous marketing tactics come and go in recent years. But no matter what, one marketing tactic that never fails to attract audiences’ involvement is the Twitter contests.
Although, running a Twitter contest doesn’t simply mean tweeting a prize and counting retweets. Implementing certain guidelines and entry rules can help you have an effective contest that attracts engagement.
But before we dive into the best practices to develop a winning Twitter contest, let’s understand the guidelines in detail.
Twitter Contest Guidelines
Here are some of the key guidelines that you should remember while launching a Twitter competition.
- Creation of multiple accounts- Encourage users to abstain from creating multiple accounts to enter a competition, Twitter might suspend all the accounts including the user’s official Twitter profile. You must make sure that your contest has a guideline that states that a user may only use a single account to enter the contest.
- Posting the same tweet repeatedly- Avoid setting a rule that encourages users to post several duplicate updates in the contest. In other words, avoid setting a rule that requires most retweets to win the contest.
- Twitter contest hashtag- Lastly, users must mention you in their post. The best way to do this is by developing a campaign hashtag and encouraging users to post content with the competition hashtag. Also, keep in mind that users must post relevant content with the contest keyword.
Remember, these are some of the basic guidelines provided by Twitter. There may be some additional rules that you may have to comply with, depending on where your business is located or the industry you operate in.
Best practices to run a Twitter contest
Now that you are aware of the guidelines for running a Twitter contest, let’s dive deeper into the best practices to maximize its success.
Define goals
Similar to every social media strategy, the Twitter contest also requires a defined set of goals. What is the Twitter contest for?
- Increase brand awareness
- Increase engagement
- Increase sales
- Increase website traffic and conversions
You must revisit your brand values and analyze your audience to further define the extent of these goals. You also have to evaluate what type of contest aligns with your overall marketing goals and can help you achieve them.
Choose an attractive Twitter contest prize
One of the most vital aspects of a successful competition is a prize that is attractive and appealing to the audience. A contest doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. You must choose a prize that has worth among the audience.
*Immediately hangs poster above our bed* #WantAnR8 pic.twitter.com/coDGnW01Gh
— Audi USA (@Audi) May 8, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
For example, Audi encouraged Twitter users to post a tweet on why they want an Audi R8 with the term #WantAnR8. The winner would get to own an Audi R8 for a day. The move attracted a tremendous response and involvement from the audiences.
Winning Twitter Contest Ideas
Selecting the suitable type of Twitter content that can help you achieve the intended goal is the most difficult part. A contest giveaway that aligns with your marketing goals. There are various types of Twitter contests that you can choose from, let’s begin.
- Retweet and follow
Just as the name implies, this type of contest requires users to follow your brand’s official Twitter profile and retweet your intended content post to enter and compete.
🌈 #Giveaway ALERT 🌈
Remember when they used to call us nudiepop? Win every single ColourPop 9 Pan + our new Rainbow Collection! Check out our IG for another chance to enter!
TO ENTER:
🌈Like & Retweet
🌈Follow @ColourPopCo📸:Lapetitechicmommy pic.twitter.com/jFgl15Dbsg
— ColourPop Cosmetics (@ColourPopCo) August 13, 2019
It is one of the easiest Twitter competitions that have no complicated steps. This type of contest can help you increase the followers and reach for our brand along with brand awareness.
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Comment to enter
In many cases, brands only require users to comment on a particular post to enter a contest. This type of competition can help you attract enormous replies and increase the visibility of your brand on Twitter.
Know someone who needs a boost in DBN, CPT or JHB? 💪🏾 For a chance to surprise a friend or colleague in one of these cities, drop a “👐🏾” in the comments. Spots are limited! #GivesYouWings pic.twitter.com/IpeRa4oV6T
— Red Bull South Africa (@RedBullZA) August 14, 2019
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Sweepstakes
Sweepstakes are Twitter competitions organized to drive traffic to your brand’s website and increase conversion rates. These contests do not play any role in increasing engagement or Twitter followers.
Get your game on. Enter at https://t.co/hDcj5EFRuN for your chance to win. No Purchase Necessary. Open to 50 US & DC 18+. Ends 4/30/21. See site for Official Rules. 🎮 #Sweepstakes
— Linda Soma (@somaadele) January 15, 2021
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Photo contest
This type of contest highly focuses on user-generated content. The competition requires users to post photos according to the provided theme. The photo must be posted with the specific contest keyword in the caption.
It’s happening..@ShotOniPhones Giveaway!
Win a new iPhone + accessories.
Enter to win athttps://t.co/oCWSmDQdX3#ShotOniPhonesGiveaway pic.twitter.com/o8vXkQtuLd— Shot On iPhones (@shotoniphones) December 16, 2016
You can also use loads of amassed user-generated content for future promotional efforts.
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Creative and inventive answers
In the creative answers Twitter contest, brands ask followers to participate by answering a question. The most creative and innovative answer is chosen as the winner. You can initiate the competition by asking a funny question and relating it to your brand.
Most interesting and creative replies to win goodies! 60 gifts up for grabs!!
Play #FiamaIsAlliNeed #contest NOW!! pic.twitter.com/J008Q0EZrS— Fiama Men (@FiamaMen) February 4, 2014
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Quickest Answer Wins(#fastestfingerfirst)
In this type of contest, all you need to do is ask a few exciting questions to your audience. You can then choose the first right answer as the winner of the contest. Also, make sure to announce the time and duration of the contest for maximum engagement.
We’re giving a £5 free bet to the first 5 people who tell us the winner in the 5:15 @ChelmsfordCRC Ready? Go!… #fastestfingerfirst pic.twitter.com/lVNWYOwp9x
— Winner Sports (@Sports_Winner) November 17, 2016
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Tag a Friend
This is one of the best ways to increase your brand’s social media presence. Just ask your audience a question and ask them to tag their friends in it. It will help you reach new potential consumers and generate leads.
#ContestAlert @TheVancaStore
1. Use #WhatWomenWant & tag @TheVancaStore
2. Give your best Quirky Answer
3. Tag 3 Friends
Best Answer Wins! pic.twitter.com/qtJGpbcFdB— The Vanca (@TheVancaStore) November 7, 2016
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Hashtag Contest
If your primary goal is to boost visibility and social media presence, hashtags are the way to go. Create a hashtag and post it with a single but engaging question to attract the attention of users. Using a hashtag also makes it easier to track all the interactions.
An Astronaut, Ice-Cream Seller or a NASA Scientist?
Tell us your #InnocentDream along with a sweet-little reason! #StayChildish pic.twitter.com/w8gSqVamfn— Intex Technologies India Ltd (@IntexBrand) November 14, 2016
Measure the impact of the Twitter contest
Measuring the impact of your Twitter contest and the conversations in real-time is vital to ensure its success. You need an effective Twitter analytics tool that can help track and monitor conversations along with audiences’ involvement.
TrackMyHashtag is an amazing AI-based, event and hashtag tracking Twitter analytics tool. It can help you track and monitor hashtags, keywords, conversations, and @mentions in real-time.
Key features of this tool:
- Real-time hashtag engagement metrics
- Identify resonating content
- Identify the target audience and influencers
- Analyze your competitors’ campaigns
TrackMyHashtag can help you monitor and measure the impact of your Twitter contest in real-time and provide predictive analysis on the analytical dashboard.
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How do you run a contest on Twitter?
To conduct a winning Twitter contest, one needs to keep a lot of things in check. Starting from deciding an ultimate goal.
- Decide the aim of your contest
- Rewards for all
- Select the contest type
- Make clear and appropriate rules
- Manage and measure results
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Are giveaways even worth it?
Giveaways are the easiest contests for the audiences. But, how does it benefit a brand? Brands can increase their website traffic, followers, and credibility by hosting giveaways. The winner will promote your brand and product. As a result, his/her followers and other participants will also buy the same product.
Other than that, you have made great success in keeping your existing customers engaged.
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How do you pick a winner on Twitter?
You should be really careful while choosing a winner. During giveaways, you should pick out a random winner. While conducting a talent-based contest, arrange a team that will critically analyze the entries.
Being biased at these times will cost you a lot. And don’t ever choose someone who is related to you or is a famous influencer. You can also take advice from your existing followers. And then come up with a deserving winner.
Final Thoughts
Twitter contests are and have always been one of the most effective marketing tactics to increase engagement, followers, and conversion. Even so, monitoring and measuring its impact is crucial for maximizing the success of the competition.
Start monitoring your Twitter involvement statistics with TrackMyHashtag today. Do give it a try!
See you next time!
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