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1) The contest will run for 8 days...Feb 7-14.
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This is something your audience isn't used to seeing so you should get some good engagement from it.
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I'd recommend a promo on opening day and a "last chance to enter" promo on the 13th at a minimum.
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I'll provide content for this or you're welcome to use your own.
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And of course, feel free to promote it the other days in anyway you'd like.
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One idea might be shouting out some of the other businesses in the contest.
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"We know you love us but, in the comments, tell us something you like about some of the other businesses in the contest!"
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2) Use the contest as a springboard to build or add to your own list.
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I estimate we'll have over 500 people enter this contest and confirm their email addresses.
Imagine if those 500+ were on YOUR list.
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Waiting to hear from you and respond to your offers.

I get weekly emails from a bunch of local businesses...
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"Join our "BIRTHDAY CLUB" to get XYZ from us on your birthday."
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Back in 2016 I wrote an article entitled, How Birthdays Could Have Saved The Local Bakery (and your business too.)
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It's even more relevant today and you can see it on LinkedIn by clicking here.
You'll never regret knowing how to reach your fans on your own terms without relying on social media.
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And a special message to those who rely on HOPE to bring in business....Hope that they'll remember you and return.
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In this easily distracted society, the MEMORY of you is competing with offers right in from of them from your competitors.
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2)Think collaboration.
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Look at the list of participating businesses and see if there is anything you can do to work with them.
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If they have an active social media presence you could give them a gift card to your business that they could give away on their pages.
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If you are in the same area...within walking distance, perhaps you could trade flyers/coupons.
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You leave a pile of yours on their counter and vice versa.
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You may have noticed in A Bead Just So's email above they are collaborating with The Iron's Edge.
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Since most people couldn't be convinced to stroll from the village to the Country Club in June, much less in February, A Bead Just So is allowing The Iron's Edge to use their space to distribute their chocolate dessert during Chocolate Fest
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If you're participating in Chocolate Fest, it's a great time to start your BIRTHDAY CLUB so please... collect names, emails and birthdays from everyone who visits on that day.
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Here's a local collab I saw recently...
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You may have seen lists like this before...
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These can be considered simple collaborations.
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Be sure to do those things using your businesses Facebook account.
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By doing so you'll be noticed by the other people who see your activity.
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3)Come up with a strong "second chance" offer.
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Give me an offer to send the people who didn't win.
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It could be a straight offer...25% off any purchase made before March 1, 2023....or it could be your own contest...."Enter to win a $100 gift card".
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People entering YOUR contest are interested in what you sell.
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They'll be much more valuable to your business than people who are entering a contest because the prize is large.
4)Make contests a regular thing in your business.
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If you promote this contest on your social media you'll likely get more engagement than most things you've posted.
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Keep up the momentum and run your own weekly or monthly contests.
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Make a spectacle of it by taking pictures of the winners when they come in to claim their prizes.
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Look for contest ideas in the real world...Who will win the Super Bowl?
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Put your choice in the comments.
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Whenever the lottery gets near or over a billion dollars I like to buy a couple tickets and offer some of my 5200 Facebook fans a chance to win with me...
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It usually gets relatively huge engagement and it's fun.
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OK...unrequested seminar is over.
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As you might have guessed I have experience doing all of the above so if you need any advice on how to proceed, I'm happy to help.
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Thanks again and keep warm!
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Leo Quinn
Leo@518BirthdayClub.com
518-288-8711