Five Steps to Running an Effective Promotion on Facebook

Hosting promotions and giveaways on your Facebook page are great for increasing fan engagement, building excitement about your store and rewarding your loyal shoppers. It’s important to be prepared and organized to run the most effective campaign. Follow this step-by-step guide to running a standout promotion.

Step 1: Determine the type of promotion  you want to run.

The type of promotion you run will depend on your end goal. Are you looking to reach new shoppers, boost the visibility of your posts or drive more foot traffic? Research your options and decide on the best fit. Need a little inspiration? Take a look at the “Build Your Audience” category in the Boutique Window Content Library.

Step 2: Craft your post.

Your caption needs to be clear and concise. Make sure you guide shoppers through your promotion requirements:

• What action does the shopper need to take? Like, comment, tag, etc.
• When does the promotion end?
• Can the shopper enter more than once?
• When and how will you announce the winner?

Photos gain more visibility, so it’s highly recommended to include a promotional graphic. Not sure where to start? You’re in luck! Boutique Window has plenty of pre-designed, pre-written options in the Content Library. Use one as-is or customize it to fit your vision.

Step 3: Plan your posting schedule.

Research your Facebook insights to determine when most of your fans are online. You should post the main promotional post and follow up with quick callback posts throughout the lifetime of the promotion to remind shoppers and reach more fans if they missed the initial post.

Pro Tip: Pay to boost your post to increase visibility and reach more shoppers.

Step 4: Monitor the campaign.

You will likely (hopefully!) see a surge in activity on your page during your promotion. Stay on top of your page notifications to converse and respond to questions promptly. Assign an employee to monitor the campaign. Note: Not every notification will prompt a “little red circle.” It’s important to see all notifications from your business page so you don’t miss anything. Consider keeping the page open in your browser and refresh often.

Step 5: Announce the winner and thank all of the participants!

Select the winner(s) and make an announcement on your page. Thank your participants and outline details the winner(s) will need to claim their prize(s).

Everyone loves giveaways and promotions. In fact, they are one of the most effective ways to engage with shoppers socially because there’s an awesome incentive for them. Learn from your promotion and make notes to start planning for your next promotion!

 

Article written by Courtney Rodgers, co-founder of Boutique Window, a company founded in August 2012 with a focus on helping local retailers succeed online. 

 

Photo Credits: Photo Courtesy of Boutique Window and provided with permission to use.