How to Run a Perfect Comment-To-Enter Contest and Why You Should

Social media contests are a fantastic way to engage your audience, increase brand visibility, and drive more platform traffic. Among the myriad contests, the comment-to-enter contest stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. This guide will walk you through the steps to run a flawless comment-to-enter contest and highlight the numerous benefits it can bring to your business.

How to Run a Comment-To-Enter Contest

1. Define Your Goals

Before launching your contest, it's essential to understand what you hope to achieve. Are you looking to build brand awareness, boost engagement, or grow your follower count? As you’ll read more about later on, clear goals will help shape your contest strategy. 

2. Choose an Appealing Prize

The success of your contest largely depends on the prize you offer. Make sure it’s something that resonates with your target audience. It could be a product from your catalog, a gift card, or an exclusive experience. If you need to dive a little deeper into the types of prizes that will help you get the best return on your contest, check out this article loaded with 106 creative prize ideas. 

3. Set Simple Rules

To maximize participation, keep your contest rules straightforward. Typically, participants need to:

• Follow your account
• Comment on the contest post
• Tag one or more friends in the comment

Enforcing these requirements may require more time and effort than they’re worth. For example, requiring the participant to tag a friend may tank your participation. Keeping one eye on your contest’s success metrics will go a long way in helping you understand what works best for your business. 

Also, when deciding which contest rules to implement, referring back to the contest's goal will be helpful. For example, will requiring a tag help you achieve your marketing goals? If not, skip it!

4. Create an Eye-Catching Post

Visual appeal is crucial. Social posts using visual content such as images or videos increase engagement and clicks overall. 

To grab the most attention, use high-quality images or videos that boldly announce your comment contest. Clearly state the contest rules and prize details in the caption. Use engaging language to excite your audience about the opportunity to win. And remember to always stay on-brand.

5. Promote Your Contest

When promoting a comment-to-enter contest, there are a few logistics to consider. A knee-jerk reaction to promoting just about anything is to promote it across all social media channels. However, hosting a comment-to-enter contest may not work. You must first consider two things - how participants will be submitting their comments and how you will select a winner. 

For example, let’s say your comment-to-enter contest uses an Instagram post on which all participants have to leave a comment and tag a friend. You then post on Facebook and TikTok, announcing to your fans and followers that you’re currently running a comment contest on Instagram. Ask yourself, is it beneficial to drive traffic off of one social platform to another? Also, will your Facebook and TikTok posts collect comments from those who didn’t notice that the contest was on Instagram? These are just things to consider. 

Whatever you decide, a few additional methods of contest promotion could be through paid ads, which will help you reach a wider audience. Collaborating with influencers or partnering brands can also amplify your contest’s reach.

6. Monitor and Engage

When running any contest, the best (often overlooked) practice is to stay active throughout the contest period. For example, when running a photo contest, the contest host can post especially clever entries on social media, stoking interest and keeping the excitement alive. When running a comment-to-enter contest, contest hosts can facilitate similar excitement by responding to comments, thanking participants, and keeping participants engaged. Not only does this create a positive experience for participants, it boosts views and engagement. 

7. Select and Announce the Winner

The method of choosing a winner will depend on the nature of your comment-to-enter contest. Are you looking for the funniest comment? The comment with the most “votes” (in the form of likes)? Or are you choosing a comment at random? If you’re looking to boost participation, offering at least one prize to a randomly chosen comment is wise. Doing so will increase the perception that anyone can win - not just those who are clever or have lots of friends to tag. 

If you decide to include a random winner in your prize offerings, use a random comment picker tool like this one offered by ShortStack to ensure fairness when selecting the winner. 

Lastly, announce the winner(s) in a separate post or story and thank everyone who participated.

8. Follow Up

After the contest ends, follow up with your new followers and participants. Send a thank-you note or a discount code as a gesture of appreciation. Following up is a great way to retain the new audience you've gained.

The Benefits of Running a Comment-To-Enter Contest

1. Increased Engagement

The most apparent and coveted benefit of comment-to-enter contests is that it’s a surefire way to boost engagement on your social media platforms. Each comment is an interaction that signals to social media algorithms that your content is valuable, increasing its visibility.

2. Growing Your Audience

Requiring participants to follow your account and tag friends naturally expands your reach and attracts new followers. This organic growth can lead to a more engaged and loyal audience.

3. Enhanced Brand Awareness

Contests create buzz around your brand. Participants share your posts, tag friends, and discuss your contest, spreading awareness. This can significantly enhance your brand’s visibility.

4. Valuable User-Generated Content

Contests often lead to a wealth of user-generated content. Whether it's comments, photos, or videos, this content can be repurposed for future marketing efforts, adding authenticity and relatability to your brand.

5. Driving Traffic

A well-promoted contest can drive significant traffic to your website or online store. Participants interested in winning may explore your other offerings, leading to increased sales and conversions.

6. Building Community

Comment-to-enter contests foster a sense of community among your followers. The interactive nature of these contests encourages conversation, camaraderie, and a stronger connection to your brand.

7. Cost-Effective Marketing

Compared to other marketing strategies, running a comment-to-enter contest is relatively low-cost. The primary investment is often just the prize itself, making it an affordable way to generate substantial returns.

Conclusion

Running a comment-to-enter contest is an excellent strategy for any small business owner, social media manager, or brand looking to enhance its online presence. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a seamless, engaging contest that boosts your brand’s visibility and fosters a deeper connection with your audience. Ready to take your social media game to the next level? Start planning your comment-to-enter contest today and watch your engagement soar!

‍