You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for effective and easy-to-implement Facebook contest ideas. Whether you’re an admin of a Facebook group or page, organizing a contest can be a fantastic way to engage your audience, boost brand awareness, and attract new customers.
Here, I’ve curated a list of 33 successful contests on Facebook ideas that will inspire you. However, generating fresh and creative contest ideas can be a challenge. That’s why I’ve compiled this comprehensive list to ensure your campaign is successful.
What Is a Facebook Contest?
In Facebook marketing, hosting contests or giveaways is a great strategy to engage the audience and raise brand awareness. A competition is an event where participants compete against each other to win a prize. This could be in the form of likes, shares, comments, or even user-generated content such as photos or videos on Facebook.
Platforms to run Facebook contest
Before diving into contest ideas, let’s discuss the platforms you can use to run your Facebook contest. You can run a contest on either of the following platforms:
- Facebook Page: If you’re an admin of a Facebook page, you can run a contest directly from it. Most of the contest ideas listed below can be implemented on a Facebook page. Whether you are running a small business or a large brand, Facebook pages are ideal for hosting contests.
- Facebook Group: Running a competition in a group is another great way to engage members and increase group activity. However, there are some limitations to hosting contests on Facebook groups. For example, you can’t use apps or third-party tools (such as Gleam.io or Rafflecopter) to run a contest in a group.
Why Should You Run a Facebook Contest?
Do you know how many users are on Facebook? Based on the stats, Facebook has a whopping 3.049 billion monthly active users (MAU) as of September 2023. Impressive, right?
Imagine that if you run a Facebook contest, you could reach even a small fraction of that massive audience. Therefore, launching an online competition can be a great way to:
- Increase brand awareness: By running contests, you can get your brand in front of more people and increase its visibility.
- Boost engagement: Contests are an excellent way to engage with your audience and keep them interested in your brand.
- Generate leads: By asking participants to provide their information (such as email address or phone number), you can collect valuable data for lead generation.
- Attract new customers: Contests can attract new customers through shares, likes, and user-generated content.
- Encourage user-generated content: Contests can inspire users to create and share content related to your brand, which can help spread awareness.
- Increase website traffic: By asking participants to visit your website for more information or to enter the contest, you can drive more traffic to your site.
- Build relationships: Contests can help you build relationships with your audience by providing them with an interactive and enjoyable experience.
33 Best Facebook Contest Ideas You Can Run Successfully
It’s time to learn some brilliant ideas for the Facebook contest. Some are best to run on Facebook groups, which can give you so much engagement, and some work great on Facebook pages.
Facebook Group Contest Ideas
Facebook group is a community gathered around a specific topic, interest, or brand. Group contests can be an effective way to engage members and boost group activity. Here are some of the best contest ideas for Facebook groups.
#1. Photo Caption Contest:
Kick off the engagement with a Photo Caption Contest. Post an intriguing or humorous photo and invite group members to come up with the most creative caption. This type of contest sparks fun and creativity, encouraging participation from a wide range of members. It’s a great way to foster community interaction and bring out the witty side of your audience.
Plus, it’s easy to participate in and can generate a lot of laughs and conversations. The winner can be chosen based on the most likes or by a panel of judges, adding an element of friendly competition.
#2. Best Tip or Hack:
Your group member can be a treasure trove of knowledge, and this contest allows them to share their best tips or hacks related to your niche. Whether it’s cooking, technology, fitness, or home decor, ask members to submit their top tips and choose the most creative or helpful one as the winner.
This type of competition is also beneficial for other group members who might learn something new and useful. And the best part is it encourages participation from all members, regardless of their skill level or expertise.
#3. Guess the Product:
If you’re looking to promote a specific product or service, try running a ‘Guess the Product’ contest. Post an image of your product with obscured features and ask group members to guess what it is. You can also add clues or hints to make it more challenging and engaging. The winner can be the first to guess correctly or chosen randomly from all correct answers.
This contest is an excellent way to promote your product and create buzz around it while encouraging group interaction and participation.
#4. Themed Photography Contest:
Set a specific theme like nature, cityscapes, or pets, and ask members to submit their best photos. This contest is perfect for showcasing creativity and talent within the group. It can also be a great way to literally see the world through your members’ lenses! Themes can be rotated regularly to keep the contest fresh and exciting.
Encourage members to vote for their favorite submissions to determine the winner. This contest not only brings out the artistic side of your members but also strengthens the sense of community.
#5. Trivia Quiz:
Organize a trivia quiz with questions related to the group’s interest area. This can be a weekly or monthly event that tests and expands the knowledge of your members. It’s a fun way to learn new facts and challenge each other. The quiz can be conducted through a live session or a series of posts.
Offer small prizes or recognition for high scorers to encourage participation. This contest is excellent for educational groups or communities focused on specific topics like history, science, or pop culture.
#6. Virtual Scavenger Hunt:
Create a list of items or tasks for members to find or complete online. This can include finding specific information, completing a digital puzzle, or even taking a selfie with a household item. This type of contest is engaging and can be tailored to any group theme. It encourages members to think creatively and act quickly.
The first person or team to complete the scavenger hunt wins. This contest is great for building camaraderie and adding a fun, competitive element to the group.
#7. Member of the Month:
Celebrate the most active or helpful group member each month. This contest can be based on members’ contributions, helpfulness, or engagement in the group. It’s a wonderful way to acknowledge and appreciate those who make the group a better place.
This motivates members to be more active and fosters a sense of appreciation and belonging. The chosen member can be featured in a special post and possibly rewarded with a small prize or exclusive privileges.
#8. Creative Storytelling:
Encourage members to share short stories or anecdotes related to the group’s theme. This contest is perfect for writers, storytellers, or anyone who loves creatively expressing themselves. It can be a great way to uncover the hidden talents of your members. Stories can be voted on by the group or judged by a panel.
This contest not only entertains but also deepens the emotional connection within the community.
#9. DIY Project Contest:
Here is a creative Facebook group contest idea. Challenge members to create something based on a specific theme or with certain materials. This contest is ideal for craft, art, and DIY groups. Members can showcase their projects with photos or videos.
This inspires creativity and allows members to learn from each other. The contest can conclude with a showcase of all projects and voting for the most innovative or skillful creation.
#10. Recipe Sharing Contest:
Members can share their favorite recipes with a focus on a particular cuisine or ingredient. This is perfect for food enthusiasts and cooking groups. It encourages sharing cultural dishes, family secrets, or innovative cooking hacks.
Group members can vote for their favorite recipe based on creativity, presentation, or simplicity. This contest not only adds variety to everyone’s dining tables but also celebrates the diversity of culinary tastes within the group.
#11. Fitness Challenge:
Promote health and wellness by organizing a fitness challenge. This could include daily workouts, a step count challenge, or a yoga pose series. It’s an excellent opportunity for fitness groups or any community seeking to encourage a healthier lifestyle.
Participants can share their progress and inspire one another. At the end of the challenge, recognize the most dedicated individuals. This contest helps achieve fitness goals and fosters a supportive environment for personal growth.
#12. Art or Craft Competition:
Invite members to submit their art or craft creations. This contest can be themed or open-ended, allowing for a wide range of artistic expressions. It’s perfect for communities with a focus on arts and crafts. Members can showcase their talents and get inspired by each other’s work.
Voting can be done by the community or a panel of judges. This contest celebrates creativity and brings visual beauty and inspiration to the group.
#13. Video Tutorial Contest:
Members create and share how-to videos on topics relevant to the group. This is great for educational groups or communities focused on skills like cooking, makeup, DIY projects, or technology. It encourages members to share their expertise and learn from each other.
The best tutorial can be determined by clarity, creativity, and usefulness. This contest not only spreads knowledge but also helps in honing presentation and video-making skills.
#14. Pet Photo Contest:
Experience a delightful and heartwarming contest where members can showcase endearing and amusing snapshots of their beloved pets. This is an ideal opportunity for pet enthusiasts to immerse themselves in joy and laughter within the group. It is a wonderful platform to foster connections through shared adoration for animals and exchanging precious moments.
Moreover, members are invited to cast their votes for the most captivating pet photo. This contest not only injects a dose of cuteness into the group but also encourages members to forge bonds with their furry companions.
#15. Best Home Office Setup:
This contest is specifically designed for groups focusing on remote work or home offices, offering members an opportunity to showcase their unique workspaces. It serves as a platform for exchanging innovative ideas on effectively organizing and decorating home offices.
Not only does this contest inspire enhancing home office setups, but it also aligns perfectly with the increasing trend of remote working. Members can actively participate by voting for the most functional and aesthetically pleasing setups, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.
#16. Book Club Discussion Leader:
Reward the member who leads the most insightful book discussion. This is perfect for book clubs or literary groups. It encourages deep reading and thoughtful discussion. The winner can be chosen based on their ability to stimulate conversation and offer new perspectives.
This contest enriches the reading experience and recognizes and appreciates intellectual contributions.
Facebook Page Contest Ideas
From small businesses to large corporations, Facebook Pages are used by a wide range of organizations to engage with their audience. Hosting contests on Facebook Pages can boost engagement, increase brand awareness, and even drive sales. Here are some ideas for fun and effective Facebook Page contests:
#1. Like and Share to Win:
Are you looking for Facebook contest ideas to increase likes? Then, start with hosting a like and share contest on your Facebook Page. It is straightforward and highly effective in increasing page visibility.
Here, participants are required to like and share a specific post to enter. It’s an excellent way to boost post reach and engage a broader audience. The simplicity of this contest makes it highly attractive and easy for users to participate.
The winner can be randomly selected from those who completed the tasks. This type of contest is great for growing your page’s following and reaching quickly.
#2. Comment to Win:
Engage your audience by asking them to comment on a post to win a prize. This can be a question related to your product or service or something fun and light-hearted. Comments boost the visibility of your post in followers’ feeds, making this an effective way to increase engagement.
Selecting a winner can be random or based on the best comment. This contest is easy to participate in and encourages interaction and conversation among your audience.
#3. Best Customer Story:
Invite customers to share their experiences or stories related to your product or service. This contest is powerful for generating authentic content and testimonials. It can create a sense of community among your customers as they read and relate to each other’s experiences.
The best story, which votes or a panel can determine, can win a prize. This approach promotes your brand and builds customer loyalty and trust.
#4. Tag a Friend:
Increase your reach by asking participants to tag a friend in the comments. This contest can rapidly expand your audience as each tag introduces a new potential follower to your page. It’s simple yet one of the most effective Facebook giveaway ideas for growing your page.
The entry could be random or tied to a specific question or challenge. This contest type leverages the social aspect of Facebook, turning your existing followers into ambassadors for your brand.
#5. Profile Picture Challenge:
Encourage followers to use a branded frame or image as their profile picture for a certain period. This contest is excellent for brand exposure. Followers who change their profile pictures become brand advocates to all their friends.
The contest can include a prize for participants or a random draw among those who joined. This approach is engaging and turns your audience into active participants in your marketing campaign.
#6. Create a Slogan:
Looking for creative contest ideas for your Facebook page? Tap into the creativity of your audience by asking them to come up with a catchy slogan for your brand. This contest is great for engaging followers and generating fresh marketing ideas.
The winning slogan can be used in your marketing materials, giving the winner a sense of pride and connection to your brand. Judging can be based on creativity, relevance, and brand alignment. This contest fosters creativity and deepens your audience’s connection to your brand.
#7. Best Review Contest:
This one’s for you if you want some good Facebook contest ideas for small businesses. Encourage customers to leave reviews of your products or services. This can be a powerful way to gather valuable customer feedback and testimonials. Choose the most helpful, creative, or thorough review as the winner.
This contest increases the number of reviews for your business and engages your customer base meaningfully. Rewarding the best review can motivate customers to put more thought and effort into their feedback.
#8. User-Generated Content:
Ask your followers to submit photos or videos of them using your product or service. This type of contest is excellent for generating authentic content that can be used in your marketing.
It also allows customers to showcase how they use and enjoy your product, creating a relatable and authentic marketing narrative. The best submissions can be rewarded, and they provide valuable social proof for your brand.
#9. Creative Selfie Contest:
Have your followers post selfies with your product or at your location. This contest is fun and engaging, encouraging customers to creatively showcase your product. It can generate a lot of user-generated content and increase brand visibility.
Select the most creative or interesting selfie as the winner. This approach is particularly effective for businesses with physical products or locations.
#10. Polls and Surveys:
Engage your audience with polls or surveys, offering a prize for participation. This increases engagement and provides valuable insights into your audience’s preferences and opinions.
The simplicity of clicking an option makes it easy for followers to participate. Randomly select a winner from those who participated. This contest type is a smart way to combine market research with audience engagement.
#11. Flash Contests:
Generate excitement and urgency by hosting short, time-sensitive contests. These can range from rapid-fire quizzes to fast-paced photo challenges. The constrained time frame prompts immediate action and active participation.
Such contests are ideal for generating a buzz and fostering swift engagement on your page. They are particularly effective in promoting time-sensitive offers or events.
#12. Seasonal or Holiday-Themed Contests:
Tailor your contests to different seasons or holidays. This keeps your content fresh and relevant and resonates well with the audience’s current experiences and emotions.
Whether it’s a Halloween costume contest or a Christmas story contest, aligning with the season can increase participation and engagement. This approach helps keep your content calendar diverse and interesting.
#13. Refer-a-Friend:
Reward followers for referring friends to your page or business. This contest can rapidly increase your audience and customer base. It’s an effective way to turn your current followers into advocates for your brand.
The reward can be for the person referring, the new follower, or both. This strategy leverages the power of personal recommendations, which are highly valued in social media marketing.
#14. Caption This:
Engage your followers with a captivating or humorous image and encourage them to come up with their own captions. This contest is not only easy to participate in but also has the potential to generate a multitude of comments.
The winning caption can be selected based on its creativity and humor. Such contests are perfect for fostering a light-hearted sense of engagement and building a strong community among your followers.
#15. Virtual Event Participation:
Why not consider hosting a virtual FB competition? This is a great way to actively engage your audience in virtual events like webinars or live sessions hosted by your page. To encourage attendance, you can even offer incentives. The winning condition could be based on active engagement during the event, such as asking questions or sharing insights.
Virtual events are gaining popularity as a means of connecting with and involving your audience in a meaningful way. They provide a creative and interactive platform for hosting contests and building a brand community.
By incorporating this type of contest into your virtual events, you can expand your reach and enhance engagement, creating a real-time connection with your audience while delivering valuable content and experiences.
#16. Fan of the Week:
The more you appreciate your followers, the more they’ll value you! Each week, highlight a loyal fan based on their engagement, creativity, or contribution to your page community.
This contest is an awesome way to show your appreciation and recognize individual fans for their loyalty and active engagement on your page. By selecting a fan of the week, you not only reward current followers but also inspire others to engage with your brand in hopes of being recognized.
This approach creates a sense of community and belonging, strengthening their connection to your brand.
#17. Most Creative Use of Product:
Challenge your followers to use your product uniquely or creatively. This contest is perfect for showcasing the versatility of your product and inspiring other customers.
It can generate a variety of user-generated content that showcases your product in real-life scenarios. Reward the most innovative or creative use to encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
Read also: Instagram contest ideas
Facebook Giveaway Examples: Basis of Business
Let’s explore some examples of how businesses have successfully utilized Facebook giveaways to achieve their marketing goals. These real-life case studies can serve as inspiration for your own contest strategies and tactics.
Example 1: McCafé Giveaway (owned by McDonald’s)
McCafé recently had a super cool giveaway on November 8, 2023. They were giving away a coffee date for four people! How awesome is that? It’s the perfect excuse to get all your friends together.
All you had to do was-
- Like the FB page of McDonald’s.
- Tag 3 friends who would join you.
- Share for some bonus points.
The lucky winner would receive 4 large cappuccinos. The winner announcement happened yesterday, on Monday, November 13. Cheers to those who won!
Example 2: Ways to Win a Free Haircut at Fantastic Sams
In 2015, Fantastic Sams (Kittanning, PA), The rules were simple: a national hair salon franchise had this awesome giveaway on their page. Followers had the chance to snag a free haircut! The rules were-
- Like the Fantastic Sams Facebook page.
- Share the post with others.
- Comment on the giveaway post.
Example 3: The Greyhound Giveaway
Greyhound, the biggest provider of intercity bus travel in North America, had this amazing giveaway on their Facebook page in 2020. The lucky winner would also get a delicious meal for two and a bottle of house wine at Greyhound.
The rules were incredibly easy as well.
- Like the Greyhound Facebook page.
- Share the post
- Tag one with whom you’d love to travel.
It is endless to give you real examples of how people and businesses have used Facebook giveaways to create buzz and engagement. Use these ideas as a guide to kick-start your own creative content and give your brand the competitive edge it deserves.
How to Do a Contest on Facebook?
Doing a Facebook contest is not rocket science! Below are the basic steps to get you started:
- Determine your goal: First and foremost, decide on the objective of your contest. Is it to increase engagement? Boost sales? Expand reach? This will help you shape your contest strategy.
- Choose the type of contest: Next, select a type of contest that aligns with your goals and resonates with your audience (refer to the examples above for inspiration).
- Set a budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend on the contest, including prizes and promotion costs.
- Create Facebook contest rules and guidelines: Clearly outline the rules and regulations of your contest, such as eligibility requirements, entry methods, and prize details.
- Promote your contest: Spread the word about your contest through social media, email marketing, and other channels to reach a wider audience.
- Monitor and engage: As entries start pouring in, be sure to monitor and respond to comments and questions from participants to keep them engaged.
- Select a winner: After the contest period, carefully review all entries and select a winner based on your predetermined criteria.
- Announce the winner: Make the grand announcement of your winner and reward them with their prize!
- Measure success: After the contest, analyze its impact on your goals and gather feedback from participants to improve future contests.
Prize Ideas for the Facebook Contest
A Facebook contest becomes engaging and successful when the prize is attractive and relevant to your audience. Here are some ideas for prizes you can offer in your next contest:
- Free product or service: This is a great way to showcase your product/service while rewarding a lucky winner.
- Gift cards or vouchers: Giveaway gift cards from popular retailers or restaurants that align with your brand values.
- Exclusive experience: Offer the chance to participate in a unique experience related to your brand.
- Branded merchandise: Reward winners with branded swag, such as t-shirts, hats, or water bottles.
- Collaborate with other businesses: Partner with complementary businesses to offer a grand prize package that includes products or services from both brands. This can also help expand your reach by tapping into their audience as well.
Remember, the key is to offer a prize that excites your audience and aligns with your brand.
FAQs on Facebook Contest Ideas
What makes a good Facebook competition?
A good Facebook competition is one that aligns with your brand goals and resonates with your target audience. It should also have clear rules and guidelines, an attractive prize, and effective promotion to drive engagement.
How to use Facebook contests to get subscribers?
To use Facebook contests to get subscribers, you can ask participants to subscribe to your email list as a part of the contest entry process. This can help grow your email list while also driving engagement on your Facebook page.
You can also offer a special discount or exclusive content for those who subscribe during the contest period, encouraging more participation and subscription. Additionally, promote the contest through email marketing to your current subscribers to reach a wider audience and potentially gain new subscribers.
To know more check out the below video content-
How long should a Facebook contest run?
The length of a Facebook contest can vary depending on the type of contest and your goals. Generally, 1 month is a good timeframe to allow for enough entries and engagement without losing momentum. However, if you have a specific event or occasion to tie the contest to, you can run it for a shorter period of time.
How do I get more likes on my Facebook contest?
To get more likes on your Facebook contest, you can:
- Leverage social media influencers to promote the contest to their followers.
- Collaborate with complementary businesses to cross-promote the contest.
- Use visually appealing graphics and catchy captions to grab attention.
- Encourage participants to tag their friends for extra entries.
- Offer a prize that resonates with your target audience.
- Use paid Facebook advertising for targeted reach.
How do I promote my Facebook contest?
Promote your Facebook contest through various channels, such as social media, email marketing, and even paid advertising on Facebook. Collaborating with influencers or partners can also help expand your reach. Don’t forget to use hashtags and catchy visuals to grab attention!
Can I run a Facebook contest without spending money?
Yes, you can run a Facebook contest without spending money on promotion. There are some free Facebook contest ideas as well. These ideas include leveraging user-generated content, creating a referral contest, or hosting an Instagram takeover.
These contests can be promoted organically through social media, email marketing, and word of mouth. Just make sure to clearly outline the rules and guidelines so participants can easily enter.
Also, in case of prizes, you can offer free products or services from your own brand. You may feature the winner on your page or give them a shoutout in return for their participation. So, with some creativity and strategic planning, running a successful Facebook contest without spending money is possible.
How do I select a winner for my Facebook contest?
Selecting a winner should be based on the criteria you established at the beginning of your contest. This could be –
- A random draw using a Facebook comment picker tool.
- Judging based on creativity or engagement.
- Choosing the entry that best aligns with your brand values.
Be sure to clearly communicate how the winner will be selected in the rules and guidelines to avoid any confusion.
Conclusion
Now you have a detailed understanding of 33 types of Facebook contest ideas! You’ve got all the necessary tips and tricks to run a successful contest. Remember, the key is to choose a contest that aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your target audience.
So, here’s what you need to do:
- Set clear rules and guidelines.
- Promote it effectively.
- Engage with participants.
- Select a winner fairly.
- Analyze the impact of the contest in achieving your goals.
With these steps in place, you’re all set to shape your brand’s online presence and drive engagement through Facebook contests.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start planning your next exciting contest now!
