Organizing a mobile phone sweepstakes or contest is a great way to interact with consumers and create awareness for your brand! But you must make sure your competition conforms with all relevant rules and laws. Let’s discuss some essential steps to run a legitimate and successful mobile promotion.

What Is a Mobile Phone Sweepstakes?

Through the use of their mobile devices, consumers can participate promotional campaigns like sweepstakes or contest and win big prizes! Entering these contests usually entails sending text messages (SMS), using mobile apps, or submitting content online that is mobile-friendly.

Legal Requirements

1. Official Rules

When creating your sweepstakes or contest, it’s essential to develop comprehensive, legally compliant rules that outline all aspects of the competition. Your official rules should specify eligibility requirements, including age restrictions and geographical limitations, along with detailed entry methods and any applicable limitations. Be sure to include clear descriptions and values of all prizes being offered, as well as a thorough explanation of the winner selection process. 

Timing is also crucial, so clearly state all important dates, such as when the promotion begins, ends, and when winners will be determined. And don’t forget to include information about the odds of winning and any necessary disclaimer statements to protect your organization legally.

2. Registration and Bonding

Before launching your campaign, research state-specific registration requirements, as some jurisdictions mandate official registration of promotional contests. For high-value prizes, typically those exceeding $5,000, you may also need to secure surety bonds to guarantee prize delivery. 

Additionally, ensure your campaign fully complies with all federal regulations, paying particular attention to FCC guidelines governing mobile campaigns, as these rules are crucial for maintaining legal compliance in mobile phone sweepstakes or contests.

Best Practices

1. Entry Method

When designing your mobile phone contest or sweepstakes, always provide a free, alternative method of entry to ensure accessibility for all potential participants. Clearly communicate in your promotional materials that message and data rates may apply for mobile entries. 

2. Data Collection

Implementing robust data security measures is paramount when collecting participant information. Develop and prominently display a clear, comprehensive privacy policy that outlines how you’ll use and protect participant data. 

3. Winner Selection

To maintain credibility and fairness, implement a verifiable random selection method for choosing winners. Document every step of the selection process meticulously, creating a clear trail that can be audited if necessary. 

Implementation Steps

1. Planning Phase

  • Define your campaign objectives
  • Determine the prize structure
  • Set a budget and timeline
  • Choose your technology platforms

2. Legal Review

  • Consult with legal experts
  • Draft your official rules
  • Ensure compliance with TCPA, CAN-SPAM Act & State-specific regulations if applicable

3. Technical Setup

  • Select a reliable SMS platform
  • Test your entry mechanisms
  • Set up your data collection systems
  • Implement some fraud prevention measures

4. Promotion

  • Create clear and compliant marketing materials
  • Include all required disclosures
  • Use multiple channels to promote your promotion

Post-Campaign Considerations

1. Winner Notification and Prize Fulfillment

Following your outlined notification procedures, you can contact the winners and document all communication attempts. Also, have backup winners selected in case primary winners are unreachable or ineligible. For successful prize claims, obtain written statements of eligibility and collect necessary tax forms. Be sure to maintain detailed records of all prize distribution for future reference and compliance purposes.

3. Documentation and Record Keeping

Maintain comprehensive records throughout your campaign, including all entries received, detailed documentation of the winner selection process, and records of prize fulfillment. Keep copies of all participant communications and promotional materials used. This thorough documentation can prove invaluable in demonstrating compliance and resolving any potential disputes that may arise.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Inadequate disclosure of terms and conditions
  • Failing to provide a free entry method
  • Unclear winner selection process
  • Insufficient data privacy measures
  • Non-compliance with state-specific regulations

By following these guidelines and best practices, you can run a successful mobile phone sweepstakes or contest that engages your audience while staying compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. Remember, when in doubt, always consult with legal experts specialized in promotional law to ensure your campaign meets all requirements.


American Sweepstakes for Your Next Promotional Campaign

Interested in implementing your own mobile phone sweepstakes or contest? Let American Sweeps handle the administrative support. Our seasoned experts ensure all aspects of your campaign will be taken care of, so you can focus on running a successful promotion for your organization.

In the competitive travel and hospitality industry, Beaches Resorts has launched an exciting new promotion that showcases several clever contest marketing strategies. The “Parmalee in Paradise Travel Advisors Contest” perfectly portrays how to engage industry professionals while also boosting sales and awareness of the brand.

From August 1st to October 4th, travel advisors are encouraged to sell as many VIP packages as possible to the Beaches Resorts ‘Parmalee in Paradise: A Concert in the Caribbean’ event. The advisor that sells the most packages will receive a thrilling 4-day, 3-night all-inclusive Beaches Resorts and Parmalee in Paradise Concert Prize Package of their own! Let’s look at some of the key contest marketing strategies used throughout this campaign and highlight the importance of each one.

Exclusive Targeting

The contest is specifically designed for Travel Advisors, creating an exclusive opportunity for these industry professionals. This targeted approach serves two purposes. First, it provides fantastic incentivize for TAs to promote Beaches Resorts more actively. Second, it strengthens the relationship between the brand and its key sales partners by rewarding the hard work that’s being done.

An Attractive Prize Structure

The grand prize being a 4-day, 3-night all-inclusive stay at Beaches Resorts, including VIP access to the concert event, serves as a powerful incentive for TAs. The flexibility to convert the prize to a stay at various Beaches or Sandals Resorts locations also adds to the appeal!

VIP Package Upselling

The contest encourages TAs to sell these VIP Packages, which include:

  • A private meet and greet with Parmalee & Frank Ray
  • VIP concert seating
  • Exclusive activities like a Sandals Foundation Group Activity and private sunset catamaran cruise
  • A complimentary swag bag

This strategy increases the revenue per booking while also enhancing the value of the Beaches Resorts experience.

A Competitive Limited-Time Offer 

By setting a specific promotion period, participants will act with a sense of urgency. This time-limited offer encourages TAs to act quickly and prioritize selling Beaches Resorts packages. The contest structure, where the TA who sells the most VIP Packages wins, creates a competitive environment that motivates TAs to maximize their sales efforts.

The “Parmalee in Paradise Travel Advisors Contest” demonstrates a multi-faceted marketing approach that engages key partners, drives sales, promotes brand values, and creates memorable experiences. By combining exclusivity, as sense of urgency, a unique experience, and attractive prizes, Beaches Resorts has crafted a promotion that stands out as an exceptional and effective marketing strategy in the highly competitive travel industry.


American Sweepstakes for Your Next Promotional Campaign

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Now more than ever, Instagram is considered to be one of the most powerful online tools for
brands to run sweepstakes and connect with their audience. Understanding how to effectively
use your social media accounts for promotions can give a boost to your brand’s visibility and
engagement.

The Beaches Resorts – Parmalee in Paradise Social Sweepstakes is a fantastic example of how to
carry out this sort of social media strategy. Sponsored by Unique Travel Corp., this sweepstakes
was available to residents of the USA and Canada who are 18 or older. To participate,
individuals needed to follow @BeachesResorts on Instagram, give a thumbs up to the
sweepstakes post, and mention a friend using #BeachesResortsConcert. The sweepstakes took
place from July 25th to August 15th.

Here’s a breakdown of the key strategies and best practices for sweepstakes advertising on
Instagram:

Clear & Simple Entry Requirements

This sweepstakes encouraged participants to engage with the brand with a few simple steps:

  • Follow @BeachesResorts on Instagram: This step will, of course, increase the brand’s follower count, expanding the brand’s recognition.
  • Like the Sweepstakes Post: This will boost the post’s visibility, increasing the chances of reaching the largest audience possible.
  • Tag a Friend and Use a Specific Hashtag (#BeachesResortsConcert): This spreads the word about the sweepstakes and creates a sense of community and engagement around your campaign.

Transparent Rules & Regulations

To build trust and credibility, it’s also crucial to have transparent and easy to follow rules. Key
points for the Beaches Resorts sweepstakes include:

  • No Purchase Necessary: Make it clear that nobody needs to pay to enter helps to increase participation.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Clearly define who can enter (legal residents of the USA and Canada, 18+ years old) to ensure the sweepstakes will be conducted fairly.
  • Privacy and Data Usage: Inform participants how their data will be used builds trust and complies with privacy laws.

Utilizing Tag & Hashtags

Be sure to create a creative and original hashtag like #BeachesResortsConcert to help track
entries and create excitement for your campaign. Encouraging participants to tag friends and
expand the reach of the sweepstakes exponentially, leveraging each participant’s network.

Engaging with New Followers

When participants follow the brand’s Instagram page, they will continue to receive updates and communications from the brand. This allows Beaches Resorts to share new information, and updates directly with their new followers, ensuring a continued connection even after the sweepstakes has concluded.

By making the entry process easy, convenient and fun, brands can significantly boost their
online presence and audience engagement! Follow these practices to create your own
successful sweepstakes advertising campaign on Instagram.


Social Media Sweepstakes Advertising with American Sweepstakes

Interested in our services for your next social media sweepstakes? Let American Sweeps handle
the administrative support. Our seasoned experts ensure all aspects of your sweepstakes will
be taken care of, so you can focus on running a successful promotion for your organization.

Lexus RZ Car Sweepstakes

Running a car sweepstakes or giveaway is a great way to promote your company, interact with your audience, and increase brand recognition! To avoid potential issues, it’s important to make sure your campaign conforms with regulatory standards. Using the 2024 Lexus RZ giveaway as an example, let’s reflect on how to conduct a car sweepstakes or giveaway successfully and legally.

The Promotion

ASD Market Week will be running the 2024 Lexus RZ Giveaway, offering participants the exciting chance to win a 24-month prepaid lease on a luxurious 2024 Lexus RZ, or a $20,000 cash prize. Open to anyone 18 years or older in the U.S., the sweepstakes emphasizes daily entries either by visiting a designated booth or downloading the ASD Event App for an extra entry. This giveaway is running from August 4 to August 7, 2024.

The Strategies

Here’s how to effectively leverage these campaigns, using some key marketing strategies:

  • Attract Interest A valuable prize, such as a car, attracts notice right away. The 2024 Lexus RZ Giveaway gives participants the option of receiving $20,000 in cash or a 24-month pre-paid lease on a high-end vehicle. These sorts of rewards have the power to dramatically increase participation rates and generate buzz around your brand.
  • Increase Engagement To keep your audience interested, promote everyday interaction. Every day, guests can enter the Lexus RZ Giveaway by visiting a booth or downloading the event app to receive additional entries. Interactions like this will help customers remember your brand more and may even boost their brand loyalty.
  • Integrate Technology To improve the user experience and streamline entry procedures, take advantage of apps and digital platforms. An event app is included in the Lexus RZ Giveaway, making it simple for participants to enter and interact with the promotion. Additionally, digital platforms can offer insightful audience data and analytics that can be used to improve your future marketing plans.
  • Create Partnerships To increase your reach, work with other companies or brands. ASD Market Week’s sponsorship of the Lexus RZ Giveaway gains from the established audience of the event. Collaborating with respectable organizations can increase the credibility of your campaign and draw in more participants.

Legal Consideration

  • Conditions of Lease Agreement It is important to provide the terms and conditions of the lease agreement when donating a leased vehicle. Make sure the lease is completely transferable to the winner and specify its length, monthly payments, mileage restrictions, upkeep obligations, and any possible termination fines. The reward is a 2024 Lexus RZ, with specific instructions stating that the winner would receive a 24-month prepaid lease and that they must abide by the rules of the leasing company’s lease.
  • No Purchase Required It’s important to note that entering or winning does not require making a purchase or sending money. In many areas, requiring a purchase could render your sweepstakes an illegal lottery. For instance, it is stated clearly that there is no purchase required to enter the 2024 Lexus RZ Giveaway.
  • Official Rules Make thorough official rules for your contest. The sweepstakes term, entry requirements, prize specifics, drawing dates, and notification protocols should all be covered in these guidelines. On August 4, 2024, at 9:00 AM PST, and on August 7, 2024, at 1:59 PM PST, is when the Lexus RZ giveaway takes place. Every day, participants can add to their entry count by visiting a particular booth or downloading the event app.
  • Winner Selection & Notification To increase your reach, work with other companies or brands. ASD Market Week’s sponsorship of the Lexus RZ Giveaway gains from the established audience of the event. Collaborating with respectable organizations can increase the credibility of your campaign and draw in more participants.

More goes into organizing a successful car giveaway or sweepstakes than purely providing an enticing prize. By implementing these best practices, you may increase audience trust while also optimizing participation. Through the application of these ideas to your own campaigns, you can create memorable experiences that resonate with participants and increase the awareness of your brand, as demonstrated by successful examples such as the 2024 Lexus RZ Giveaway.


American Sweepstakes for Your Sweepstakes Services

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Businesses are given a particularly effective opportunity to engage customers and boost sales through holiday sweepstakes and giveaways. However, this opportunity also comes with its challenges, as navigating the legal landscapes of these promotions can be particularly tricky to abide by. Let’s walk t

Why Host a Holiday Sweepstakes or Giveaway?

  • A Seasonal Appeal
    Tailoring your sweepstakes to resonate with the holiday spirit and themes are great
    ways to get your consumers or potential consumers motivated to participate. Aligning
    your promotion with seasonal sentiments can enhance its appeal to participants,
    whether it’s Christmas or Hanukkah– Halloween or Valentine’s Day. Theme is
    everything!
  • Increasing Brand Awareness
    In having a well-executed holiday sweepstakes or giveaway, you can attract a wide
    range of new consumers, raising your brand recognition. You can increase your market
    reach and establish a solid reputation in the sector by drawing in prospective clients who
    might not have previously known about you. Holiday sweepstakes and giveaways are
    also particularly effective ways to receive positive customer feedback.
  • Boosting Engagement
    Engaging customers with sweepstakes increases their commitment to your brand,
    especially while associating it with the holiday. Through joining the festive campaign,
    they may participants encourage other users to interact with your brand. A closer bond
    between your brand and its audience is fostered.
  • Driving Sales
    Particularly around the holidays, promotions can encourage purchases and result in
    higher sales. Customers can feel a feeling of excitement and a sense of urgency when
    you offer appealing prizes or exclusive promotions. By taking advantage of the busiest
    shopping time, your business can create a spike in sales activity.

Planning Your Sweepstakes

  • Defining Your Goals
    Be truthful with the likelihood of winning and the type of your festive prize. Deceptive
    advertising can harm your brand's reputation and result in legal problems. Make sure
    that all advertising materials give a true and accurate picture of the sweepstakes or
    giveaway.
  • Avoiding Necessary Purchases
    Sweepstakes cannot have a purchase requirement to be exempted from lottery
    classification. This is an essential regulatory necessity to differentiate your marketing
    from the highly regulated gambling industry. Make sure there is a different way for
    people to enter your promotional campaigns for free.
  • Drafting Official Rules
    Clearly and succinctly draft the regulations describing the reward, eligibility, entry
    requirements, and the selection and notification of winners. All participants should be
    able to quickly access and understand these guidelines. Establishing transparency in
    your official regulations promotes fairness and fosters a sense of confidence.
  • Following State and Federal Laws
    Learn about the laws of the state and federal government. Certain states have
    regulations pertaining to sweepstakes, such as certifications. It is imperative to
    comprehend and adhere to these standards in order to prevent any legal difficulties.
    Consider speaking with a legal professional to make sure you fulfill all legal
    requirements.
  • Compliance with Age Restrictions
    Make sure you abide by age restrictions, particularly if your sweepstakes is intended for
    young people. There may be age-related rules that you must adhere to, depending on
    the type of prize you are offering and the demographics of your participants. The age
    limitations should be made clear in your official guidelines.

Holiday sweepstakes are a great opportunity to interact with consumers and build your brand, but you must follow all the rules carefully. By following these steps, your business can design a successful and compliant sweepstakes that will pique the interest of your consumers.


American Sweepstakes for Your Sweepstakes Services

Interested in our services for your next holiday giveaway? Let American Sweeps handle the administrative support. Our seasoned experts ensure all aspects of your sweepstakes will be taken care of, so you can focus on running a successful promotion for your organization.

One frequently used venue for promotional campaigns is Facebook, yet a lot of companies make the mistake of thinking they can move a competition or sweepstakes from their website to Facebook without making any sort of changes. Facebook often updates its regulations
pertaining to competitions and sweepstakes. Thankfully, there are sweepstakes services to help keep up with these sorts of modifications so that your campaigns can consistently adhere to Facebook policy.

Facebook Sweepstakes Promotional Policies

If you choose to use platforms like Facebook to host or communicate a contest or sweepstakes,
you are responsible for its lawful operation. This includes adhering to requirements such as:

  • Official Rules
    In which you will need to clearly define the rules of your promotional campaigns. They
    also help shield your company from misconceptions and possible legal problems.
  • Offer Terms and Eligibility Requirements
    In which you will need to describe who is eligible to participate and any terms of the
    offer. In the end, these components serve to establish confidence and guarantee that
    your campaign is reasonable and complies with legal requirements by outlining who is
    eligible to participate and the precise terms under which they can join and win.
  • Compliance with Corresponding Laws
    Ensure your promotion complies with all relevant laws and regulations, including those
    concerning winnings and prizes. Having a good understanding of legal definitions
    specific to your campaign and drafting your rules accordingly is undeniably the best
    practice.
  • Regulatory Approvals
    In which you will need to complete any necessary registration involved and obtain
    regulatory approvals. This involves several key steps to navigate the legal landscape
    and secure the necessary permissions for your promotion.
  • Liability Release
    In which you will need to include a release of Facebook by each participant. By
    incorporating this practice, you can ensure that each participant is fully aware of and
    agrees to release Facebook from any potential claims or liabilities related to the
    promotion.
  • Acknowledging Facebook’s Non-Affiliation
    In which you need to make it clear that the promotion is not sponsored, endorsed,
    administered by, or associated with Facebook. This is required to avoid participant
    misconceptions and to adhere to Facebook’s promotional standards.

American Sweepstakes Social Media Services

We provide an extensive array of social media services to assist you in effectively managing
your promotions, such as:

  • Platforms
    Giving participants access to a variety of social media sites, like YouTube, Pinterest,
    Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, may greatly increase the promotion's reach and
    interaction.
  • Facebook App Development
    Giving users one-of-a-kind engaging experiences, may greatly improve your promotional
    initiatives.
  • Hashtag Promotions
    Helping to create engaging hashtag campaigns to increase visibility and participation.
  • Entry Portals
    Providing you with seamless entry portals across various social media channels.
  • Social Marketing
    Helping you enhance strategies to maximize your reach and engagement.
  • Public Voting
    Providing you with tools to facilitate and manage public voting for contests.

American Sweepstakes for Your Facebook Sweepstakes Services

Interested in running your own Facebook sweepstakes? Let American Sweeps handle the
administrative support. Our seasoned experts ensure all aspects of your sweepstakes will be
taken care of, so you can focus on running a successful promotion for your organization.

 

When pursuing marketing campaigns and promotional opportunities, businesses often look for ways to stand out from the rest and draw in their target audience. Among these, using a sweepstakes marketing strategy can be an effective way to draw in this audience, and increase brand recognition.

This strategy has shown to work well, as demonstrated by the recent success of a sweepstakes event in San Diego, which shows how a well-planned campaign, along with reliable sweepstakes services, can produce some exceptional outcomes.

The “SSG41” Sweepstakes

The Speed Society “SSG41” Sweepstakes offered its consumers a range of entry options. Shoppers had the opportunity to earn entries by purchasing items from the online store, with each $1 spent equating to one entry. Alternatively, joining their Car Club provided automatic admission, with the option to upgrade to the Enthusiast level for up to 350 entries. Participants could also gain 20 entries by sending an SMS, or receiving up to 20 additional entries by engaging with special Instagram posts. There was also the option of traditional mail-in entry options, yielding 5 entries per submission. The deadline for the sweepstakes was on March 8, 2024.

Speed Society secured a high level of participation and excitement from its members, which ultimately led to a lucky Sheriff from the state of Washington winning his 2024 Corvette C8 (“ARV”), worth $90,000.

The Speed Society $500k Insured Prize Game

The brand created a cleverly designed game, appropriately named “Pick to You Win” This game, administered by an insurance company in collaboration with Speed Society, offered the chosen sweepstakes winner the chance to receive several prizes by selecting envelopes one at a time until they matched a predetermined combination.

The winner had to open five matching envelopes out of forty to get their prize. Among the enticing prizes were six envelopes holding a certificate for $150,000, five containing $500,000 certificate, and twenty-nine containing the keys to the Corvette.

The odds were carefully calculated. With a 1 in 1,926 chance of winning the $500,000 cash prize and a 1 in 481 chance of claiming the $150,000 cash prize, participants were enticed by the possibility of receiving these life-changing winnings. Meanwhile, the odds of winning the Corvette were set at 1 in 100, promising an appealing reward for the participant, regardless.

In collaborating with the insurance company, Speed Society merely paid a small premium to insure the $500,000 prize, mitigating the financial risk associated with such a substantial reward. This decision not only ensured that the grand prize was guaranteed but also highlighted
Speed Society’s commitment to delivering on its offers.

The Sweepstakes Marketing Strategies

Let’s take a look at the strategies used in this promotion, and discuss why it proved to be such a success on multiple fronts:

● Tactical Entry Methods
Speed Society was able to increase its brand loyalty by connecting contest entries to online purchases. Car Club membership incentives serve as a means of solidifying a committed consumer base. The text registration option increases accessibility, and Instagram engagement promotes both brand visibility and community connection.

● Calculated Odds
The odds of each prize were essential to drawing entries and maintaining enthusiasm throughout the contest. The possibility of winning a life-altering amount of wealth was certainly enticing, with odds of winning the $500,000 and $150,000 in cash prizes. Regardless of the grand cash prize likelihood, an opportunity to take home an attractive prize was enough to gauge a significant amount of interest.

● Minimizing The Risk
As previously discussed, the sponsor and insurance company’s partnership is an excellent example of a fruitful strategic alliance within a sweepstakes marketing strategy. By partnering with an insurance company, Speed Society was able to offer a life-changing amount of money without assuming the full financial burden, thereby maximizing engagement and excitement for the sweepstakes.

● Brand Reputation & Lasting Connections
In addition to providing winners with prizes, the sweepstakes event gave attendees a memorable experience that encouraged positive associations with the brands involved. Every element of the event was carefully thought out to ensure a memorable experience for the participant as well as attendees.

This well-executed campaign highlights the value of clever sweepstakes marketing strategies and strategic alliances. Through our sweepstakes services, as well as partnerships with insurance providers, brands can create a campaign with a high amount of participation, while also mitigating risks.


American Sweepstakes for Your Sweepstakes Services

Interested in our sweepstakes services? Let American Sweeps handle the administrative support. Our seasoned experts ensure all aspects of your sweepstakes will be taken care of, so you can focus on running a successful promotion for your organization.

Initiatives that combine creativity and compassion shine a light in the world where each action matters and every step can have a lasting impact. This combination is embodied by A Race Against Blindness’ most recent campaign, The 2023 Storyteller Overland “Beast Mode” Sweepstakes. Let’s take a closer look at this campaign and its marketing giveaway strategy.

The 2023 Storyteller Overland “Beast Mode” Sweepstakes

To support those who suffer from blindness and visual impairments worldwide, A Race Against Blindness provides aid, treatment, and hope to those affected.

The sweepstakes offers participants the chance to win an incredible prize – the 2023 Storyteller Overland “Beast Mode” Adventure Van. By purchasing entries, participants not only rival for this enticing reward but also contribute to the overall mission.

To participate in the sweepstakes, participants can easily enter by visiting the A Race Against Blindness website, where they will be prompted to purchase sweepstakes entries directly. Each entry boosts your chances of winning the grand prize, and several donation denominations are available to fit your preferences. Whether you’re aiming for a $25 contribution or feeling inspired to give more, it’s a simple process that allows individuals to engage with the campaign while simultaneously supporting a meaningful cause.

The Campaign Marketing Strategies

The Storyteller Overland “Beast Mode” Sweepstakes and A Race Against Blindness are centered around smart giveaway marketing strategies that align with the organization’s core purpose. Here’s how:

Storytelling: A Race Against Blindness shares the stories of those they’ve helped, painting the picture of their impact. Similarly, the Storyteller Overland “Beast Mode” Sweepstakes appeals to the spirit of adventurers and explorers by promising unforgettable journeys with the grand prize.
Partnerships: By partnering with Storyteller Overland, A Race Against Blindness extends its reach to a broader audience who may not have otherwise been aware of their cause. Meanwhile, Storyteller Overland strengthens its marketing efforts by associating their brand with such a worthy cause.
Incentives: Incentives are often the key to effective marketing. The possibility of winning a desirable adventure vehicle is the contest’s physical reward. In addition to drawing people in, this incentive motivates them to stay involved by contributing to a deserving cause.
Community Engagement: Both initiatives work to strengthen the sense of community. Like-minded people can come together in these spaces, brought together by a common goal, whether it’s the worldwide community rallying around A Race Against Blindness or the close-knit community of explorers drawn to Storyteller Overland.

Making a Difference, One Adventure at a Time

When we consider how A Race Against Blindness and the Storyteller Overland “Beast Mode” Sweepstakes came to be together, we are reminded of the transformational effects of effective marketing. These programs show that marketing is about more than just promoting goods and services—it’s also about creating connections, sparking positive change, and making a lasting impression.

The marketing techniques used by A Race Against Blindness and Storyteller Overland go above what is expected. They’ve tapped into something profound for potential participants – the desire to make a difference – and channeled it into action. Thus, let us keep in mind the lesson woven throughout these types of endeavors as we go out on our travels.


American Sweepstakes for Your Next Campaign

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Quite often we get asked if “official rules” are needed by those who are looking into how to run a sweepstakes. Some clients and prospects think that it’s only a small “giveaway” that they’d like
to run, and it doesn’t include a major prize, so maybe it’s not necessary to make official rules.

The short answer is yes. When learning how to run a sweepstakes, giveaway, contest, or promotional campaign of any sort, there are rules and regulations that you must follow in order to be compliant. Therefore, you need to have a set of specific rules that outline the promotion and will be your official contract with the public.

Sweepstakes vs Contests

Successfully running a sweepstakes means ensuring that it aligns with your desired promotional campaign. Previously, we wrote this post reviewing the differences between sweepstakes vs contests and what the major objectives are for running either of them. To summarize sweepstakes are a game of chance where the winners are randomly chosen. Contests on the other hand are a game of skill and participants are usually invited to submit some content
(photo, video, essay, etc.). A panel of judges then chooses the winners based on criteria that are defined in the official rules.

Regulations

A factor to keep in mind is the FTC’s Endorsement and Testimonial Guidelines. They recently published a list of Q&A’s that state that when it comes to sweepstakes and contests, any
incentive, no matter how minimal, such as an entry for making a post on social media sites, may be an endorsement. Thus, it requires a disclosure. The constantly updated Q&A’s describes the specific verbiage needed to follow best practices.

Properly Utilizing Social Media

A very popular trend on social media is inviting participants to earn extra entries by performing different tasks and challenges on various platforms. Not only do you need to follow the guidelines of each social media platform, but you also need to keep in mind the degree of effort that you are asking participants to perform to gain an entry.

So how much time is too much and what can you really require? The Supreme Court did rule that watching a 30-minute TV show wasn’t too much time, so that’s a guideline to follow. But keep in mind that while awarding bonus entries for sharing/referring may not likely fall under consideration, it may be against Federal CAN/SPAM regulations.

Another rising trend today on social media is running a sweepstakes or contest utilizing only a hashtag with no entry form. Entrants may be invited to post a tweet on Twitter or upload a photo on Twitter or Instagram utilizing a promotional hashtag. Many marketers utilize these types of promotions since it creates buzz and makes it easy for entrants.

However, hashtag entries do not collect data on the entrants since there is no entry form to fill out. Data collection is the number one reason why marketers run sweepstakes. Without collecting data this also can make it more difficult to contact winners. There are, however, applications that you can utilize that include both such as what was discussed in this post.

To Wrap It Up

In knowing how to run a sweepstakes, it all comes down to what your main objectives are for running your promotion. You need to consider what the risks may be, while also being realistic
in what you are asking participants to do. Most of all, be sure to cover yourself and your company by running a successful and legally compliant sweepstakes that includes a set of Official Rules.


American Sweepstakes for Your Promotions

Interested in launching your own sweepstakes? Let American Sweeps handle the administrative support. Our seasoned experts ensure all aspects of your promotion will be taken care of, so
you can focus on running a successful campaign for your organization.