If you’ve ever felt like your Facebook page is lacking activity and is a bit quiet, then you’re not the only one. Small businesses all over the world are also looking for ways to boost engagement, attract new followers and turn casual browsers into loyal customers.
But what’s the secret? It’s simple, running fun, creative and rewarding contests! Yes, which is precisely why we have put together this ultimate list of 30 Facebook contest ideas for small businesses. And we’re doing it just so you can spark some excitement, grow your audience and make your brand the talk of the feed.
Whether you’re chasing more likes, trying to create user generated content (UGC) or just simply want to show off your brand’s personality, these Facebook contest ideas are designed to work for any small business. And it doesn’t matter which industry you’re from or what your budget is.
So, if you’re ready to get inspired, then let’s dive in!
Hold on, we’ll get to the ideas in a bit. Let’s first talk about why contests are such a powerful tool for small businesses.
We’ve discussed why Facebook contests are so crucial for your page, now let’s discuss the Facebook contest ideas for small businesses that work!
The good old classic! Ask your followers to like your page (or a post) and share it for a chance to win a prize. This is one of the easiest Facebook contest ideas and is perfect for boosting your reach quickly. Just be sure to follow Facebook’s latest rules, though. Sometimes, it’s better to ask for a comment instead of a share.
Invite your audience to comment on your post to enter the contest. You can ask a fun question, get feedback on a product or simply have them say “I’m in!” This low barrier entry makes it pretty asy for anyone to participate.
If you want to grow your following, then ask your followers to tag a friend (or two) who would love your business. Not only does this expand your reach but it also brings in people who are likely to be interested in what you have to offer.
Encourage your audience to submit a photo. It could be using your product, visiting your shop / outlet or even showing off their own creativity. Now, this is a fantastic way to collect user generated content (UGC) and highlight real customers enjoying your brand.
Post a funny or interesting photo and ask your followers to come up with the best caption. The most creative or funniest caption wins the prize. This is a great way to encourage engagement as well as laughter.
Create a sentence related to your business and leave a blank for followers to fill in. For example, “My favorite thing about [your business] is _ _ _ _ _ _.” This is one of those Facebook contest ideas for small businesses that can provide valuable insights into what your customers love most.
Let your audience have a say as well! Create a poll where followers vote on their favorite product, flavor or design. You can even raffle a prize among those who participate. It is an interactive activity and provides you instant feedback about your product.
Test your followers’ knowledge with a quiz about your business, industry or even local history. The first person to post the correct answer (or a random winner from all the correct answers) receives a prize.
Fill a jar with candies, marbles or branded swag and post a photo. Ask your audience to guess how many items are inside the jar. The closest guess (or the correct one) wins the prize! This is a fun, visual contest that always gets people talking and taking an interest.
Invite your followers to share a story. The story could be about how they discovered your business, a favorite memory or a time your product made a difference in their lives. The best story wins and you get heartfelt testimonials to share. It’s a win-win!
Are you launching something new? Let your audience help name it! This doesn’t just get people invested in your brand but also sparks tons of creative ideas you might not have thought of.
Hide clues or items (virtually or in-store) and post hints on your Facebook page. This first to solve the clues or find the item wins the contest. This is one of the more interactive Facebook contest ideas for small businesses and is amazing for brick-and-mortar shops.
If you’re in the food, wellness or DIY business, then ask your audience to share their favorite recipe, tip, or hack using your product. The best submission wins and you get loads of creative content to share.
Encourage your followers to leave a review on your Facebook page. Pick the most thoughtful or creative review as the winner. This helps build your reputation and trust with new customers.
If your product or service creates transformations (cleaning, beauty, fitness), then you can ask your customers or followers to share their best ‘before and after’ photos. These are powerful for social proof and engagement.
Run a referral contest where your audience gets an entry for every friend they refer who joins your page. This can be a fantastic way to grow your followers in a quick time with quality leads.
Give a chance to your creative followers. Ask them to design a new logo, product packaging or even a printable shirt. The winning design could be produced and sold. This could give the winner bragging rights and a prize.
Post a super close-up or blurred image of one of your products and ask followers to guess what it is. The first correct answer wins. This triggers curiosity and encourages your audience to explore your product or services.
Make sure you link your contest to an upcoming holiday or season. ‘Best Halloween Costume’, ‘Spring Décor Photo’ or ‘Share Your Summer Adventure’. All these can be great. Plus, seasonal contests are timely and relevant, making them some of the most effective Facebook contest ideas for small businesses.
Let the winner choose from a selection of prizes. This increases excitement and ensures the prize is something they truly want. This makes participating in the contest more appealing.
Ask your audience to submit a short video. The video could be about a review, a how-to, or even a creative use of your product / service. Video contests generate engaging, shareable content that you can feature to your community.
Post two similar images and ask your audience to spot the difference. This first one to find them all (or a random winner from all the correct entries) wins a prize. This is a great way to get your followers looking closely at your brands.
Invite your audience to submit a photo, story or even an idea. Then, ask your followers to vote by liking their favorite entry. The submission with the most likes wins. This encourages sharing and posting on your page. It also brings over new eyes to your page.
Create a simple puzzle or crossword related to your business. Then, ask your audience to solve it and share their answers in the comments. This is one of the most unique Facebook contest ideas that can differentiate your brand from others.
Share a funny meme or photo and ask your followers to come up with the best caption. The wittiest or most creative entry takes the prize.
Host a quick, surprise contest. It could be just for a day or an hour. But flash giveaways create urgency and excitement. This leads to a spike in engagement.
Encourage your followers to check-in at your business location on Facebook for a chance to win. This increases your visibility to their friends and can drive foot traffic.
Ask your audience to share a photo of their home office, desk or creative space. This is especially relevant for businesses in stationery, tech or home décor.
Post a fun riddle or brain teaser related to your business or industry. The first correct answer (or a random winner from correct entries) wins a prize. This is a clever way to get people thinking and interacting.
Celebrate your most engaged follower each month with a special shoutout and a prize. This not only rewards loyalty but also acts as an incentive for others to participate more actively throughout the month.
We’ve armed you with 30 Facebook contest ideas for small businesses. However, let us equip you with some tips to ensure your contest is a hit!
Facebook has specific guidelines when it comes to contests. So make sure you’re up to date to avoid any issues. For example, avoid requiring shares on personal timelines as a condition of entry and always include clear terms and conditions.
Opt for a prize that’s relevant to your business but at the same time, valuable to your followers. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It could be a popular product or a gift card. You can also select an exclusive experience as that can be just as enticing.
The easier it is to enter, the more people will participate. Avoid complicated entry requirements or prerequisites, especially if you’re holding a quick or flash contest.
Don’t simply post once and hope for the best. Make sure you promote your contest across all channels like email, website, Instagram and even in-store if you have a physical location.
Reply to comments, like entries and thank the participants. Engagement from your side encourages more people to join in and shows your community.
Running a contest isn’t just about giving away freebies. It’s more than that. Running a contest is about developing relationships, growing your brand and having a little fun along the way.
With these Facebook contest ideas for small businesses, you now have a toolkit for boosting engagement, delighting your followers and standing out from the rest.
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