Want to bring in more customers, get more traffic at your web site, attract publicity and more? Run a contest.
Your contest doesn’t have to be complicated. When I released the new edition of “The Mystery Shopper’s Manual” recently, I gave away a free copy through a contest sponsored by Volition.com, a major mystery shopping web site. The webmaster put information about the contest on his site, with a link to click through to my site and enter.
All entrants had to do was enter their name and e-mail address. When they did, an autoresponder sent them an e-mail acknowledging their entry. After the winner was selected, another e-mail was sent to all entrants letting them know who won. Each e-mail of course included information about the book. It was a low-cost way to get a lot of attention for the release of the new book.
If you want to run a contest, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, have rules stating how long the contest runs, how to enter, who is eligible to enter, what prizes will be awarded, how winners will be chosen and when the winners will be notified.
If you have rules, communicate them to entrants, and follow the rules you have established, you should have no problems with your contest.
Contests requiring a purchase or entry fee may be subject to additional rules, or may even be illegal. Check with an attorney, your state government or the Federal Trade Commission for more information.
