Social media contests are a great way to engage with your residents, and they can even produce content that can be used in future marketing materials. But they’re not foolproof.
Their success is largely dependent on thorough pre-planning, thoughtful execution, and resident appeal. Check out these highlights from our latest #AptChat for tips, contest ideas, helpful 3rd party apps and more. (Click on the links to jump straight to a specific question.)
- Q1: Are contests a regular part of your social media efforts for your brand? If so, what kind of contests have you tried?
- Q2: If you’re running a social media contest, what are some top tips to keep in mind?
- Q2a: What are some things to keep in mind *before* you run a contest? Photo releases, pre-promos, using content in your marketing, etc?
- Q3: How do you typically run your contests? Who manages them? Do you use any 3rd-party apps to facilitate hashtags, voting, etc.?
Are contests a regular part of your social media efforts for your brand? If so, what kind of contests have you tried?
Contests involving photos. Most successful was one during a blizzard (inclusive of a couple of days after)- snowman contest #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
#AptChat pic.twitter.com/2cxs2avLEQ
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Yes! Photo contests, quizzes, caption contests, like/comment posts with mixed results. #AptChat
— Jessica Kordsmeier (@MsLadyJess) August 15, 2017
Anything with a smaller barrier to entry. Even with an amazing prize, if we asked too much, we didn’t get a lot of entries. #AptChat
— Jessica Kordsmeier (@MsLadyJess) August 15, 2017
Truth. Even asking people to make a video is often too much of a barrier to get heavy participation. #AptChat
— Mike Whaling (@mwhaling) August 15, 2017
Yep. Been there and done that. Video contest was just too much. #AptChat
— Jessica Kordsmeier (@MsLadyJess) August 15, 2017
In my most recent roles, we were working towards making contests regular as the ones we did generated engagement. #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Successful for 2 reasons- created engagement & visibility AND kept residents happy when cooped up at home #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Actually… forgot the 3rd reason it was successful… gave us some fun content for FB ads. #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Q1 I’ve used them and seen them; probably not a major part. Pet contests, refer a friend, share why you love the community, etc #AptChat
— Jake Zachariah, ARM® (@jake_zachariah) August 15, 2017
One of my favs was a “show us your apt” contest. They submitted interior photos & we could then use those in our marketing, too. #aptchat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 15, 2017
If you’re running a social media contest, what are some top tips to keep in mind?
The MOST important aspect of running a contest (also in life) is ‘did you learn anything’. #aptchat
— Daniel Redman (@dredman) August 15, 2017
What do tenants care about? Respond to? Have an interest in outside of the community?
— Daniel Redman (@dredman) August 15, 2017
Agree with the others… keep it easy to enter. #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Q2-also don’t make it too “corny”.We did a Valentine’s Day photo contest using a backdrop & props set up in the lobby. Didn’t work. #Aptchat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Trial & error at a given property. Fortunately most such contests aren’t expensive. If it doesn’t work at a site don’t do it again #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Ask your residents? Who wouldn’t love being asked their opinion, have it agreed upon, then actually come to life?
— Jake Zachariah, ARM® (@jake_zachariah) August 15, 2017
Part of the plan was to delight our residents with surprises throughout the storm (planned on our end of course) #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Q2 Always use multimedia with the contest. Pics, vids, etc. Organically increases engagement. #AptChat
— Jake Zachariah, ARM® (@jake_zachariah) August 15, 2017
Q2 Link to your contest rules. Always follow your own rules. Don’t make the contest difficult. Every1 should be able to enter using a phone.
— Jake Zachariah, ARM® (@jake_zachariah) August 15, 2017
Q2 Don’t do a “first one to answer” because it drops off engagement after the correct answer is submitted. Give people time & choose random.
— Jake Zachariah, ARM® (@jake_zachariah) August 15, 2017
What are some things to keep in mind *before* you run a contest? Photo releases, pre-promos, using content in your marketing, etc?
Pre-promos- depends on the contest. The snowman one was a “planned surprise” so no notification until the day the storm was to hit #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Thankfully we have in-house counsel that has been really helpful when I have contest ideas! #AptChat
— Jessica Kordsmeier (@MsLadyJess) August 15, 2017
Q2a Always promo the contest in advance– market through an eblast or sms blast. Even a consistent schedule, like every Tuesday. #AptChat
— Jake Zachariah, ARM® (@jake_zachariah) August 15, 2017
It’s amazing to me how many properties have regular Facebook bingo … and people love it. A few min late with the #? You’ll hear. #AptChat
— Mike Whaling (@mwhaling) August 15, 2017
How do you typically run your contests? Who manages them? Do you use any 3rd-party apps to facilitate hashtags, voting, etc.?
I manage everything. But, I have been playing around with @tabfoundry lately to build/manage quizzes, photo contests, etc. #AptChat
— Jessica Kordsmeier (@MsLadyJess) August 15, 2017
I’ve used @rafflecopter in the past and had a pleasant experience. #aptchat
— Daniel Redman (@dredman) August 15, 2017
In the past was me/my team/ or agency #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Q3 All managed in-house by a marketing specialist or the on-site team for smaller companies I’ve worked with. Never got a change to use 3rdp
— Jake Zachariah, ARM® (@jake_zachariah) August 15, 2017
Not full partner contests but prizes have often been gift cards for partner businesses #AptChat
— Karen Kossow (@AthleteatHeart) August 15, 2017
Have something you want to discuss during next week’s #AptChat? Share your questions in the #AptChat Facebook group!
Our next #AptChat is slated for Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 12 pm Eastern. In the meantime, be sure to sign up for #AptChat updates to get these recaps and more delivered straight to your inbox!
