Contest Management Process

While conventional sources of traffic may get played out soon, businesses and brands are actively hunting down the new approaches. One of the promising ways for boosting engagement and sales is organizing contests.

Nothing fancy or innovative is required. Still, contests are far-reaching in terms of driving new traffic and extending the audience.

Definition of contest management process

Contest management process is a system of measures that are set on showcasing the attributes of an organization, service or brand. By launching an engaging contest, one provides a great outlet for publicizing skills and products. Driving real profits isn’t that easy though… Let’s find out what it takes to set up the contest program that hits the nail squarely on the head.

Contest management process

You have much to think of before launching a contest. Plan each detail of the contest organization and stay calm on the big day:

• Equipment and staff. The skeleton of your contest is the equipment in use and people who make it work. Start your planning by setting the budget for hardware, sets, and staff. What are the most cost-efficient options? Maybe you should buy some equipment and cut the costs for your next event? Will it work better with a lease? Concerning the staff, think of the possibility to attract volunteers to your campaign. With the smart management of contest process, you don’t have to spend a fortune on equipment and staff.
• Briefing and debriefing. To succeed in contest organization, you have to grab ahold of the reins. Brief your team members before the launch and make sure that each of them has a perfect understanding of their responsibilities. To make it scalable, set up a post-event meeting for evaluating your performance and deriving key lessons.
• Promotion. All set? Time to gain some good traction! Your contest engagement depends on how many interested users set their eyes on it. To enable the maximum recognition, advertise the contest on social media, websites for promotion, and email campaigns. Note: don’t overdo it. Quality goes first, quantity – second.
• Food, attractions, and security. Finally, make sure you have a good plan for a contest day. Three major aspects to consider food, entertainment, and security. If you want people to enjoy the event, make it tasty, fun, and safe. Easy-peezy-squeezy!

Tools for contest management

Treat your contest process to consistency and good planning before, during, and after the event. This way you won’t have to search for profits, they’ll find you instead!

Before the contest

Here are the steps to take if you want to make your contest program poppin’:

#1. Set a goal.

Start with the results. In order to set up a highly-converting contest, you have to know what you want to achieve with it. Is it a subscriber list? New leads? Whatever it is, purpose goes first.

#2. Excite your audience with a prize.

Did you know that approximately 70% of contestants enter it because of a prize? It’s a Mercantile world.

Not exactly. You don’t have to offer prizes that have material value. Present your audience with a free subscription package, a photo with a star, realize someone’s dream or provide them with a gift card. Make your imagination take longer strides!

The main thing: contest prizes have to be relevant and matched with event themes. If you also manage to showcase your brand or product with a contest prize – congrats, that’s a whole new mastery level!

#3. Money, money, money.

And no honey, in case you’re short on the budget. Estimate your needs in advance to reach some smart budgeting. Think of all costs you have to spend on a campaign, equipment, promotion, and prizes. Then see if you can afford it. If not – it’s time to take a shorter path. Apply for funding, offer white label or look for better deals and you’ll see: outstanding contests can work even on a shoestring!

#4. Set up benchmarks and time frames.

Measure the impact of your contest process by setting up clear benchmarks for evaluation. Analyze your monthly visitors or conversion rates before a contest to know where you start. The results that you’ll get in the end will provide you with a progress estimate. Don’t forget about timing. The top converting contests last from 2 to 6 weeks. Try to fit in that time frame!

#5. Create an attractive copy.

The way you present a contest to the world matters. Opt for engaging and conversational texts. Make your narrative short and see attendees flowing in!

#6. Spread the word.

Leverage on social media, create a dedicated landing page for your contest and embed widgets to get more attention. ProTip: go for low-budget solutions first. The modern world of digital is smart enough to help you with no-budget promotions. Reach out to the bloggers from your niche. Submit your contest to promotional platforms, and get on the traffic wave!

During the contest

Kick-off time! Setting up the contest management system is a responsible point, so scoop up your expertise and make it work.

#1. Track it.

Use analytics to see how your awards management campaign performs. Don’t stop promoting even in the hottest of contest days!

#2. Be polite.

You’re not the only person spreading information about your contest? Then say thank you to those who do! Your contest influencers can build a great word-of-mouth marketing for a contest. They definitely deserve a “

You’re not the only person spreading information about your contest? Then say thank you to those who do! Your contest influencers can build a great word-of-mouth marketing for a contest. They definitely deserve a “thank you note.”

After the contest

Aaaand…almost there! But don’t stick a fork in it as soon as soon as the contest ends. You still have some work to do.

#1. Choose a winner.

Announce a winner in time. Don’t forget to update your contest page as soon as the announcement is made and ask the winners for permission to use their pictures for a final post.

#2. Send a prize.

No procrastination on this part. Your contest winners deserve receiving their prizes in a timely manner. If possible, derive traffic benefits for your business from this stage by locating the photo of a prize on your contest page.

#3. Capture contacts.

Export emails from the finished campaign and add them to the email marketing service that you use. Smells like new subscribers!

#4. Announce next contest.

As long as your contest is still fresh in their minds, make an announcement about your next contest. Keep people engaged non-stop.

The 5 Key Elements of an Effective Contest Management Process

There’s a good formula for making your awards management process go viral. 5 elements on your plate:

• Make your target audience want it. Picture your target users and ask yourself whether your contest can bring them any benefits. If the answer is affirmative , you’re on the right track.
• Encourage FOMO. People are afraid of missing something important. Create awards management conditions that’ll tell people: “we have great benefits for and you’d better hurry up with your application.”
• Add some gamification, just to make your contest fun and engaging.
• Reward shares. An incredible traffic boost is possible if you motivate people to share.
• Let the story evolve. You always prefer a story over a plain contest explanation, don’t you? Same with your audience. Frame your contest into a story and you’ll get virality jumping in.