How to Create a Social Media Contest That Follows the Rules

Create a social media contest: the six steps

Choose a goal, such as new followers or enquiries. Pick a prize that attracts the people you want. Write the rules. Choose how people enter. Announce it with a start and end date. Pick the winner fairly and tell everyone.

Write clear rules

State who can enter, the dates, how to enter, how the winner is chosen and when they are told. Say that the platform has no part in the contest. Keep a copy of the rules where people can read it.

Follow each platform's promotion rules

Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and the others each publish rules for promotions, and they differ, for example on what people may be asked to do to enter. Read the current page for each platform you use, and check your local law on prize competitions. This is not legal advice.

Choose an entry method

Simple methods work best: comment on the post, or send a photo with a hashtag. Avoid asking people to tag many friends or to share on their own timeline, which platforms often restrict.

Announce, pick and follow up

Schedule the announcement and reminders in advance. Pick the winner with a method you can show, announce them and send the prize promptly. Thank everyone who entered.

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