In a recent blog post “Facebook Likes Incentives” I noted an example by Fat’s restaurant in Sacramento to get Facebook “likes”. From my discussion with clients about social media marketing I know that many of you are interested in getting more interest, both Likes and Shares in your pages. As I explained in this previous post there are many great ways to encourage interest, information which I’ve provided based upon the current research and statistics about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to social media marketing.
My blog post today is a follow-up to a previous post since I was impressed by a newsletter I received from SMUD. In this newsletter they feature their latest promotion to get more Facebook likes by utilizing a contest.
The question is, what is SMUD doing right? Firstly, they are utilizing their newsletter to bring interest in their Facebook page. By now I trust that most people realize how effective a newsletter can be in this regard, especially when it not only provides useful and timely information yet also provides promotional content as well, such as contests. As you can see from the newsletter image above SMUD uses an attractive Facebook promotion graphic that matches the look of their Facebook page. Once you click the newsletter link you are taken to SMUD’s Facebook page.
Once at Facebook what one notices first is the SMUD cover image (large image at top) which is being used to promote their latest promotion. It is important to note that Facebook does have some rules about what can and can’t be added to the cover image. These “advertising guidelines” can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php
The guidelines page notes that cover images may not include:
- price or purchase information, such as “40% off” or “Download it on socialmusic.com”;
- contact information such as a website address, email, mailing address, or information that should go in your Page’s “About” section;
- references to Facebook features or actions, such as “Like” or “Share” or an arrow pointing from the cover photo to any of these features; or
- calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends.”
Upon looking at the SMUD cover image they note “win a $150 lighting package” yet don’t violate any of the above since they omitted the implied “if you like us on facebook”.
Below the cover image are the thumbnail images representing the different sections. For SMUD they have photos, enter to win, powering forward, likes, and 6 more. Of course the most important sections need to be placed on this first line (which only allows for four) so you may want to delete those standard Apps that you aren’t using. When an APP is added there is the ability to change it placement in the listing in relation to the other custom Apps.
The “enter to win” thumbnail is using an “APP” that takes one to their contest form when you click on the thumbnail image itself or the “enter to win” text link. In addition on the timeline (at the upper left) of the SMUD wall is a “sticky” post (note the orange ribbon in right corner).
There is a text link that takes one to the “enter to win” form as well (here they note that one needs to “Like” the page to be entered which is acceptable since it is in a post not on the cover image), yet when you click this link and are not logged in, or haven’t liked the page then you are served with a large banner image encouraging you to like the page.
If you are logged in then there is a form shown with the appropriate disclaimer …. “not affiliated with Facebook”, etc.
Okay, so nice contest APP right? If you are wondering what they are using, the App was created by SecondStreet, and the link to them is: https://secondstreet.com/ Specifically they are using the UPICKEM online contest platform. The link is: https://secondstreet.com/products/upickem/overview/ I checked for pricing information and nothing was noted? This leads me to believe that the pricing is most likely pretty costly.
Ah, but there are other options that will provide a similar functionality. If you’ve visited my Facebook page there is a “Fan Only Access” thumbnail. Much like SMUD I have a post as well with an image that notes that Fans get private access to promotions/coupons, etc. I also note this on my website’s pricing page. If someone is not a fan then one page “become a fan” is loaded, if they are a fan then another “fan only” page is loaded. If you are interested in doing this, or something similar yourself, the APP I use is called “Static HTML IFrames Tab” which is located at: https://apps.facebook.com/static_html_plus/
Going back to SMUD, their “fan only” section has a contest form. There are Apps that will integrate with Static HTML IFrames so one of these could be used to create your own contest form. JotForms is one of these, and you can find them at https://www.jotform.com/pricing/ The other option would be to create your form on a simple HTML page and then link to it as an IFrame within the Static HTML IFrame App. So in essence, I would link to the form by an IFrame within the IFrame App.
On a final Note about SMUD. I also noted that in addition to their contest, and effective branding across media …. Newsletter, Facebook, and Website, they also do a good job of social engagement which is very important to ensure FB Likes and Shares.
What they do right here is that they allow people to post on their FB page. Note the “post” and “photo/video” box options and “write something”. Social Media is about engagement, and if you let people post on your articles you have a much better chance of getting “likes” and repeat visits. Next I noted that they have a “recent posts by Others on SMUD” box at the upper right column of their Timeline. This provides recognition to those who do post which is effective as well.
SMUD has undoubtedly spent a lot of money hiring social media and marketing experts to come up with their social media marketing strategy. For the rest of us with limited marketing budgets, well, we just need to keep an eye on what the large companies are doing and then find the least expensive way to emulate those strategies that work.
If you need help with setting up a Facebook “likes” contest be sure to contact me for assistance.
https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com
