Looking to maximize your social media presence and drive more engagement for your station’s big promotions? If your sponsor’s budget doesn’t allow for paid Facebook ads or boosted posts, there are still effective, free ways to increase contest participation and traffic. Here are three easy strategies you can use today to boost engagement and promote your sponsored contests on Facebook:
Your cover photo is the first thing followers see when they visit your Facebook page. Take advantage of this high-visibility space by temporarily uploading a graphic that promotes your contest. You can even monetize this opportunity by including your sponsor’s logo on the image.
To further drive traffic, customize your page’s Call to Action (CTA) button, located in the bottom right corner of your cover photo. Select the “Learn More” option and link it directly to your contest page or your sponsor’s website. Click “Create” to activate your new CTA. This combination of an eye-catching cover photo and a direct link makes it easy for visitors to participate in your contest.
Encourage your on-air staff to film a short video promoting the contest, or ask your sponsor to provide a special message. Upload the video to your Facebook page’s video gallery and share it on your timeline. Use relevant video tags to improve searchability, and add a “Sign Up” or “Learn More” CTA button at the end of the video. Customize the “Link Description” field to direct viewers to your contest landing page or sponsor’s site.
Over 500 million people use Facebook Events each month. Creating a public event is quick and helps boost awareness by allowing you to invite your followers—and letting them invite their friends and family. Note that Facebook allows online events to last a maximum of two weeks, making this feature ideal for the final weeks of your contest. Tag your sponsor as a co-host to drive engagement to their Facebook page as well.
An event page serves as both a reminder for followers to sign up and as a hub for community engagement around your promotion. Use the Discussion tab to post updates, news, and reminders, or create interactive content like polls to keep your audience engaged throughout the contest.
These three simple strategies can help you drive more traffic and engagement for your station’s contests using your Facebook page—no paid promotions required. Start promoting your sponsored sweepstakes like a social media pro!
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