Getting traffic with contests

[Demon_skeith]

I was wondering if someone could help me brainstorm on how to better advertise my forum's contests. So far I've been giving out a free video game every month and one of my other members has started a free mobile video game and I've done advertising in the right places like here on FP and other gaming sites but it doesn't seem like this pulls in many members.

I can only assume it's due to people thinking that contest is a rip off, which it isn't. Anyone here have some tips that could make my contests draw in people better?

 

[Zlasarma]

Try finding trusted members on forum who will vouch for your contest and advertise your contest more and more 🙂

 

[Daviid]

Make the contests attractive and lure more members to it...Make your loyal members actively participate in the contests. All these help to get more viewers.

 

[Pebbles]

send out a newsletter to all registered members if you got that feature availble
so they know about the contest and might join in​

 

[Justin]

Becareful. You dont want honeymoon traffic. You dont want them to show up for the contest, participate, lose, and get nothing. Make it worth everyones while or participants are unlikely to stay.

 

[Demon_skeith]

I do send emails out every now and then, I do have runner up prizes and I try and make the contests creative so a person may win any video game they wish.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I was wondering if someone could help me brainstorm on how to better advertise my forum's contests. So far I've been giving out a free video game every month and one of my other members has started a free mobile video game and I've done advertising in the right places like here on FP and other gaming sites but it doesn't seem like this pulls in many members.

I can only assume it's due to people thinking that contest is a rip off, which it isn't. Anyone here have some tips that could make my contests draw in people better?

Ask your members to help you out with promotion. 🙂 Be friendly and explain to them why you need help. People are usually willing to help when you ask them and there are no hidden reasons.

You should also look into article and video promotion. In the gaming niche, people are always looking for help on beating a level, modding and so on from what I could imagine (I am not a big gamer!). So you can make walk-thrus, videos showing what to do and so on. If you make enough articles and videos that people like, create a large fanbase to them, you can advertise your forum and probably have no problems at all with getting new members. 🙂

 

[Tetriiix]

If you would want your contests to reach more people, I suggest that you use mobile applications and mobile browsers. You don't need to create an app or so, you just need to invest in advertising your contests. Have you ever heard of CPM (cost per 1000 impressions)? that way you can reach more people, you should try creating an account at Bluagile.com they have a self-serve RTB platform that could be of use for you.

 

[Liuxy]

Step #1: Sign up for a MailChimp account
Skip this step if you have an account already; if you don’t, you can sign up here.
Step #2: Create a new list
You’ll need a temporary list for the duration of the contest, so that you can treat people who enter your contest differently from your regular subscribers at first.
Step #3: Create a simple sign-up form for contest entrants
To allow people to enter your contest, you’ll need a custom form.
Step #4: Create a contest landing page
The next step is to create a dedicated landing page for the contest on your site. This is the page that people will be directed to from any promotion, e.g., via social media.
I recommend using a WordPress page, not a post, as it keeps it separate from the regular flow of updates on the front page of your blog, and gives it a more permanent home.
Write a compelling introduction to your contest, being as brief and clear as possible. Explain what’s on offer and the benefits of entering.
Step #5: Customize the sign-up process for contest entrants
Once you have a contest page, the next step is to change the list sign-up process to confirm that people have entered your contest, not just subscribed.
Two steps are involved. First is the “Opt-in confirmation e-mail” – which people are sent to confirm their e-mail addresses. You should modify the text of this e-mail to explain that clicking the link will confirm entry to your contest as well as subscribing.
Second, and more important to help spread your contest, is the “Confirmation thank you page.” This is the page that people see when they click the link in the e-mail you just modified.
Step #6: Set up a conversation with your entrants
The last set-up step is to write a welcome e-mail to your new subscribers.
Step #7: Test, check and click publish
This goes without saying, but check your work before launching it!
Anyone can follow this process, but it’s easy to miss a step or get something slightly wrong. So do a test entry from a second e-mail address and make sure you’re totally happy with it.
Once you’re happy the process is smoother than silk, you’re ready to launch and the real fun can begin.

 

[roycareyou]

Step #1: Sign up for a MailChimp account
Skip this step if you have an account already; if you don’t, you can sign up here.
Step #2: Create a new list
You’ll need a temporary list for the duration of the contest, so that you can treat people who enter your contest differently from your regular subscribers at first.
Step #3: Create a simple sign-up form for contest entrants
To allow people to enter your contest, you’ll need a custom form.
Step #4: Create a contest landing page
The next step is to create a dedicated landing page for the contest on your site. This is the page that people will be directed to from any promotion, e.g., via social media.
I recommend using a WordPress page, not a post, as it keeps it separate from the regular flow of updates on the front page of your blog, and gives it a more permanent home.
Write a compelling introduction to your contest, being as brief and clear as possible. Explain what’s on offer and the benefits of entering.
Step #5: Customize the sign-up process for contest entrants
Once you have a contest page, the next step is to change the list sign-up process to confirm that people have entered your contest, not just subscribed.
Two steps are involved. First is the “Opt-in confirmation e-mail” – which people are sent to confirm their e-mail addresses. You should modify the text of this e-mail to explain that clicking the link will confirm entry to your contest as well as subscribing.
Second, and more important to help spread your contest, is the “Confirmation thank you page.” This is the page that people see when they click the link in the e-mail you just modified.
Step #6: Set up a conversation with your entrants
The last set-up step is to write a welcome e-mail to your new subscribers.
Step #7: Test, check and click publish
This goes without saying, but check your work before launching it!
Anyone can follow this process, but it’s easy to miss a step or get something slightly wrong. So do a test entry from a second e-mail address and make sure you’re totally happy with it.
Once you’re happy the process is smoother than silk, you’re ready to launch and the real fun can begin.

thank you