I’ve been doing some research for a client of mine on how to get votes using social media for a contest she is entering in March. We all have seen those contests – it’s a growing trend. Companies will use contests to get contestants to do the company’s word of mouth marketing for them. It’s actually quite brilliant – getting others to get their friends, family and anyone else to visit the company’s website in a short period of time.
It seems the best way to go about getting votes is using a multi-pronged communications strategy – engaging your entire list of friends and such through email, social media and direct contact, but it does take a lot of time and energy to mobilize your community.
Here are some tips I learned through my research that may help you as well:
• Email is the most effective method of communication according to several articles I read
• Always use your own shortened URL site, like bit.ly, so you can monitor and track a bit better
• Keep these two questions in mind: are you making it easy for your community to vote; are you communicating about this opportunity completely, efficiently and concisely
• Be personal – tell them why you want to win this contest and make sure you thank those who let you know they voted for you
• Use your network – ask others to forward and promote you to their networks – have any social media influencers in your corner, they can be an awesome ally in something like this
• Keep an eye on the conversation – even going as far as using Google alerts or Twitter tools to see what’s going on – and this makes it easier for you to see who is helping you out and thanking them for their work on your behalf
Any other thoughts or ideas? I would love to hear them, not only for me but for my client as well!
Serina Kelly
Relevate
www.getrelevate.com
serina@getrelevate.com
317-203-7740
It’s Just Broken Glass
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011As I was heading down Dan Jones in Avon on an afternoon a few weeks ago, just chatting with a friend on the phone while heading to my next appointment, something happened. Some sort of boulder, yes, it sounded like a boulder, hit my windshield and left this unbelievable, but beautiful crack. The sound was so loud that it hurt my ears, and I could feel the pressure in my ears for some time afterwards.
Many thoughts went through my head – but overall, I was laughing because I just could not believe how loud it was and what a huge crack it was. There was a part of me that was so relieved that it happened on the passenger side because had it been three feet to the left, I wouldn’t have been able to see, and I have no idea what my reaction would have been. I thank my lucky stars it was just broken glass.
And that’s when it occurred to me (again) that events are neutral, and it is our reaction to it that puts an emotion to it. Yes, it’s a bummer that it will cost me over $200 to get it fixed, but honestly, that is nothing in the scheme of things. I’m glad it was my windshield that took the brunt of it – not me personally or someone walking down the road or someone else’s windshield who really couldn’t afford to get it replaced.
Too many times, we make a big deal out of things that really don’t deserve that much attention and emotion. In the end, it’s just some broken glass. Just pick it up and move on.
Serina Kelly
Relevate
www.getrelevate.com
serina@getrelevate.com
317-203-7740
Tags: business tips, communication, indianapolis small business, Purpose
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