• HOME
  • SERVICES
    • WEB DESIGN
    • GOOGLE MY BUSINESS SET-UP
    • INSTAGRAM
    • FACEBOOK
    • CONTENT PHOTOGRAPHY
    • EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
    • TRAINING
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US
Blue Bird Internet Marketing Affordable Websites & Social Media
  • HOME
  • SERVICES
    • WEB DESIGN
    • GOOGLE MY BUSINESS SET-UP
    • INSTAGRAM
    • FACEBOOK
    • CONTENT PHOTOGRAPHY
    • EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
    • TRAINING
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US

How To Host a Competition on Facebook the Right Way

3/7/2013

2 Comments

 
The Problem:

I was recently asked for advice from a small business owner requesting some help to work out the correct way to run a Facebook Competition. This business owners current understanding was that Facebook competitions had to be run through a third-party application,  but was confused by many other business pages regularly running “Like and Share”  type competitions on their Business Page Wall’s. This business owner wanted further insight into how to run a basic competition that would help to increase her business fan base and excite her followers but by conforming to the facebook rules.  She noted that she had a Website and Blog that could be utilized.
And The Winner Is?
The Answer:

Competition Applications
The business owner was absolutely correct with her understanding of the rules of hosting Competitions for Business or Community Pages on Facebook.  To run a competition and abide by the Facebook Rules you need to use a Canvas App or Page App such as Sweepstakes, ShortStack etc. All competition applications will give users a  full guide on how the application/competition works and will result in a professional result for your business page. Full Terms and Conditions should be displayed within the competition application. Many of the Competition apps are expensive and not ideal for small business, it is then that I would recommend the Blog or Website hosted competition listed below. 
Please Note: All competition results are to be notified directly to the winner by email or phone - not through any form of facebook utilities like message, chat or on the page wall.  


View The Facebook Competition Guidelines:
 
I suggest that  before you begin to set-up a Facebook Competition that you are familiar with the exact rules and regulations supplied by Facebook.   Scroll down to Section E on these facebook guidelines for Promotion Rules:  https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php

 
What is Your Main Goal For Holding a Competition?

If your main aim of holding a competition is to purely gain new likers to your page, try using the Facebook "Get Likes" Option, and for around $11 a day you will see your liker numbers and interaction skyrocket.  This type of
advertising can be stopped at any time and can be a far quicker approach to the result you are after, compared to setting up a competition.


Businesses Doing It Wrong

We have all noticed that many businesses have "competitions" on their pages all of the time of the type "like and share to win" etc.  These are against facebook's strict guidelines and I would not recommend doing these, as I have heard of business pages being deleted by facebook for such offences. 
Businesses also face the possibility of fines or being sued.  It only takes a competitior to notice your competition and report it for you to be caught out.  It is really not worth the risk – everyone knows how long it takes to build a successful facebook page and gain genuine followers, losing all of this work and contacts overnight would be
devastating.


Competitions Hosted on a Blog or Website

If you decide that a Facebook Competition is just too hard, you have the option of hosting your competition on an external site that you own such as your Blog or Website.   Should you choose this option, I would suggest that you enhance your reach for the competition by utilizing your email client database to inform others of your competition. I suggest ensuring that you have an "email subscribe tab" on your facebook page or alternatively regularly share links on your facebook wall to your email subscription form, to entice new subscribers.  There is nothing wrong with listing on your facebook page status that there are benefits for users who subscribe to your email newsletter.  Please check with the Australian State Government Guidelines for Trade Promotions prior to hosting a competition, some  Australian states require a permit or licence to run a competition. 
Queensland Link:   http://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/liquor-gaming-racing/gaming-licences/competitions


TOP 5 TIPS FOR COMPETITIONS ON FACEBOOK:


 1.       Read up on the Facebook Guidelines for Promotion Rules prior to commencing a competition.
 2.       All Competitions on Facebook are to be hosted through a Facebook Application.
 3.       Ensure Your Competition Terms & Conditions are listed making sure they comply with each Australian State’s 
             Regulations.
 4.       Winners are to be notified by Email, Phone or Mail, not through any Facebook facilities.
 5.       Don’t be tempted to host a Like and Share Competition on Your Page – it’s not worth the risks.
 
Now you are informed I wish you all the best with your competition!

Judi Gray
Blue Bird Internet Marketing & Social Media
www.bluebirdinternetmarekting.com

2 Comments
Alexi Smith link
6/8/2013 04:51:22 am

I see businesses doing the wrong thing competition wise on Facebook all the time! Thanks for the information refresher!

Reply
Judi Gray - Blue Bird Internet Marketing
30/9/2013 06:39:43 am

There have since been changes in the restrictions for competitions on Facebook which will make it far easier and less complicated and expensive for businesses. View my blog for the latest article.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Bluebird Tips

    Enter your email to receive our latest Free Marketing Tips!

    Sender.net email marketing

    Author

    Judi Gray is the Owner Operator of Blue Bird Internet Marketing and has been assisting small Businesses with their online profiles since 2011. 

    Judi Gray Owner Blue Bird Internet Marketing
    Follow


    Picture

    POPULAR POSTS
    • What are the new upvote and down vote buttons on facebook comments?
    • Influencers, are they worth itt?
    • ​6 Simple Steps to begin planning a Business Event
    • How to Start an Online Store for your Small Business
    • Can I collaborate with brands with a small following?

    35 Percent Off Domain Names

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    August 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    July 2017
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    New Domains

OUR SERVICES

GOOGLE MY BUSINESS SET-UP
​SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT
WEBSITE DESIGN & MANAGEMENT
SOCIAL MEDIA HEALTH CHECK REPORT
CONTENT PHOTOGRAPHY
SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING ADVICE

COMPANY

BLOG
CLIENT REVIEWS
​ABOUT

CONNECT

CONTACT US
Picture
Photo used under Creative Commons from khalid Albaih
  • HOME
  • SERVICES
    • WEB DESIGN
    • GOOGLE MY BUSINESS SET-UP
    • INSTAGRAM
    • FACEBOOK
    • CONTENT PHOTOGRAPHY
    • EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
    • TRAINING
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US