You did it! You ran a fun, successful contest, promoted it, and received a ton of entries in return.

Now that it’s time to select the winner, it doesn’t mean you stop marketing there! Below you will find important steps that you should take once your contest has ended to build a successful social media marketing campaign!

Contest Closed: Create and Build Excitement

Once the contest is closed, there is a great opportunity to continue building engagement. Inform your fans that the contest has ended and let them know when the winner will be announced, this way, they’re eager to know who won!

For example, “The contest is now closed. It’s time to choose the winner! Stay tuned!”

Announce the Winner

Publicizing the results of your contest is just as important as getting people to enter the contest. Announce the prize and the winner across all social platforms, and, with their consent, tag them in a post with a photo. This is also a great time to let your fans know about what’s coming next, giving them something to look forward to.

Analyze the Data

Now that the winner has been announced, it’s time to analyze all the valuable data you just collected and use it as a resource for your future contests. Compare your results to past contests, take note of what worked and what didn’t, and set goals for your next contest. Taking these elements into consideration will make the next one even more of a success!

Stay Connected

Let’s say your contest was a huge success with over 200 entries –  that means 200 new email addresses! Use that valuable information to start building relationships. Be sure to properly follow up with the people who entered. For example, your first email or post can be to thank everyone for entering, to congratulate the winner on their prize, and even offer a coupon to those who didn’t win. Remember the goal here is to build relationships and slowly turn these contacts into customers – not hit them with a sales pitch.

Lastly, and most importantly, after every contest create a Facebook Custom Audience with your list of email addresses from the contest. This will allow you to target these users in your future advertising.

Social media contests can increase engagement, likes, and brand loyalty if done correctly. Always remember your marketing shouldn’t stop when your contest does!

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About the Author

PCG Digital Marketing is an award winning digital agency headquartered in Eatontown, NJ. We help our clients get found online through innovative search, social and online advertising campaigns.