Social media giveaways are a great way to celebrate a milestone in business or to thank customers for their loyalty to your brand. However, with all the positives that come with doing good, giveaways can also have the opposite effect if you don’t host them safely. Read on to find out how to run a social media giveaway safely.
In recent years, there has been a surge in organisations asking people to enter giveaways on social media by asking the viewer to “like”, “comment” and “share” the giveaway post. These types of posts do result in a spike in engagement, but like a sugar rush, they come and go very quickly.
These giveaways are also public, so people can see who has entered, which is another can of worms.
SCAM WARNING!
We’ve been made aware of a fake profile sending friend requests to our followers claiming that you have won a prize. This is NOT our company.
We have reported this as a fake profile and would encourage others to do the same. Please do not enter your data into the form that they have linked to.
Sadly, giveaway scams on social media are on the rise. These can have negative repercussions on your brand’s reputation.
As a business, it is your role to nurture safe and long-lasting relationships with your prospective and existing customers. Therefore, you must safeguard your customers’ data when you interact with them on social media.
How do I run a social media giveaway safely?
Use a signup form
One of the easiest ways to do this is by changing the way you perform giveaways. For example, instead of hosting “like, comment and share” giveaways, consider creating a signup form and asking your followers to send you their details via the link. So, this way, you can select a winner at random and keep all entries hidden from each other.
Be mindful of Data Protection
Be mindful, though, that your signup form and the way you collect data need to be compliant with the General Data Protection Act. For example, explain in the sign-up form:
- how your customers’ data will be used
- who will have access to it
- how it will be stored and for how long
- most importantly, give them the option to opt-in or out of your mailing list.
If you have any queries regarding GDPR then contact a specialist who will be able to assist you.
The beauty of hosting giveaways through a signup form is that you are more likely to attract the right audience that is not just interested in the prize, but also interested in finding out more about your business. This may result in fewer entrants to your giveaway but, ultimately, it could result in more custom for you.
Has the above made you think about changing how you perform social media giveaways, or maybe you have got in a pickle with a giveaway crisis? If you need of some additional support to get your giveaways right, then book a consultancy appointment with us by clicking here.
