How To Use Contests

There are two types of contests you can use to energize sales:

  • Contests for affiliates.

This gets affiliates promoting and your market buzzing (due to the large number of people promoting the offer).

For example, you might hold an affiliate contest in conjunction with a product launch. You’d give prizes to the top five or so affiliates who produced the most sales. You might also give random-draw prizes away, where any affiliate who produced at least one sale is eligible to win. (This encourages even your smaller affiliates to promote.)

  • Contests for prospects.

These contests build your list and also get your market buzzing (depending on what type of contest you run).

For example, you might run a contest where prospects need to write a short essay or create a video that explains what they would do if they won the product.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Contest Around Your Goals.

Decide what you’d like to achieve (such as build a list, grow your social media platforms or generate sales), and then create a contest that supports that goal.

TIP: If your goal is to jump start sales, then run an affiliate contest and prospect contest simultaneously.

Step 2: Choose Suitable Prizes.

Prizes for prospect contests should include your own products (not cash). That way you’ll attract a targeted audience.

Prizes for affiliates should be cash or other really attractive prizes (such as Amazon gift certificates). You don’t want to offer something too specific like a gadget, because if someone already has the item then they probably won’t bother promoting.

Step 3: Craft Your Contest Rules.

Consult with an attorney as necessary to be sure your contest is lawful where you live.

Step 4: Consider Your Timeline.

Be sure your contest is short enough to create urgency, yet long enough to get buzz going in the niche. A good guideline is to run a contest for one week.

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Step 5: Capture Prospects on a Mailing list.

Then be sure to follow up with them after the contest ends to boost sales.

Take note: if you want a random-draw contest to go viral AND you want to build your mailing list effortlessly at the same time, then you may consider using a tool like Rafflecopter.com. This is a tool that helps you run viral contests by giving your contestants a chance to win by joining your list, and extra entries (chances to win) if they complete other tasks such as posting about your contest on their social media platforms.

TIP: Offer everyone who didn’t win the contest a consolation prize such as a limited-time discount coupon on your most popular products.

Now the third method for jump starting sales…

Keep Reading: How To Use Case Studies

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