How CCPA Law Affects Running a Sweepstakes or Contest

By: Jennifer French | In: Marketing

Today I will discuss how CCPA law affects running a sweepstakes or contest. If you have considered running a sweepstakes or contest, you have probably heard of CCPA, but what is it exactly? CCPA is a new law in California that went into effect on January 1, 2020 that is designed to give Californians more control over their own data. If your promotion excludes California, this is not something you will need to worry about. If you plan to collect personal identifying information (PII) from people in California, you may be affected. More specifically, if you will need to be accountable if your business falls within the following parameters:

• Business possesses the personal data of more than 50,000 California residents, households, or devices per year
• Business earns at least $25 million in annual revenue
• Business earns more than 50% of annual revenue selling the personal data of California residents

A good summary of what is considered PII under CCPA can be found here.

So, what rights do consumers have under the CCPA? In short, California consumers now have the right to request access to or delete any personal information you have collected from them. The CCPA also allows California consumers to request that a business not sell their personal information to third parties. The full information can be found here.

Clearly CCPA is something to consider when running a sweepstakes or contest in California since collecting PII is part of that process. Below are steps to ensure you are running a legally compliant promotion:

Right to Notice

Your business must inform consumers at or before the point of collecting PII what categories of PII are going to be collected and for what purposes this information will be used.

Right to access

You will be required to provide users a way to request access to the data you have collected. Essentially you should provide them with an easy way to contact you to submit a request for access to this data. Keep in mind you should respond in a timely manner.

Right to request deletion of PII

Consumers in California have the right to request deletion of all PII that you have collected.

Right to Opt-Out

Consumers must have the ability to easily request to opt-out of receiving correspondence from you.

Protection of consumer privacy and data is increasingly becoming more important so we should expect other states to follow suit. Consider contacting Sync Marketing for your next sweepstakes or contest. We will we navigate you through all the up-to-the-minute legal changes that may affect your sweepstakes or contest. We also, pride ourselves on our secure platform and will ensure your consumers’ PII is protected. Contact Sync today.

Disclaimer: This is article is not intended to be legal advice but is provided as general information. To learn the full impact of the CCPA, please consult with a legal professional.

Engaging Consumers with Sweepstakes and Contests

By: Julie Link | In: Marketing

It’s not business as usual. Businesses are struggling to find ways to connect with their consumers while we are forced to “social distance” by staying home. So how do brands interact with consumers? How do they connect? A great way is engaging consumers with sweepstakes and contests.

Fashion brands are finding creative ways to engage with their consumers while they sit at home. PAPER Magazine discusses how Fashion Brands are taking advantage of their consumers staying home.

Fashion brands and designers are among those leading the way in getting everyone to participate and have fun thanks to recent contests popping up online. Below, see full details for some of the challenges you can get involved in now. – Papermag

Furniture and office supply brands can definitely jump in on the contest bandwagon. Are your consumers now working from home? Let them show a photo of how they are making it “work.” Qualifio speaks to creative ways brands can engage with their consumers by working from home.

You can also imagine a particular photo contest for the ones doing homework. Encourage them to share their home office space, homeworking memes or even the most awkward homeworking situations. Let them share their experiences with others and enjoy the moment! – Qualifio

All brands can figure out a creative way to engage consumers through sweepstakes or contests. Sweepstakes and contests are cost-effective ways to engage new and existing consumers, gather user-generated content and reward consumers. Kick Off Labs discusses why contests work in this article here.

If you’re thinking of running a cost-effective sweepstakes or contest in order to engage consumers, contact Sync Marketing today.

Engaging Consumers with Contests

Retaining Customers with Sweepstakes

By: Julie Link | In: Marketing

Retaining customers with sweepstakes is an extremely cost-effective marketing strategy you should seriously consider.

One of the most important benefits of running an online sweepstakes is retaining your current customers. Based on today’s current climate, now is a more important time than ever to retain your current customers. According to Business.com,

“Retaining customers is important for the long-term success of your business, because it is far more expensive and difficult to acquire a new customer than it is to retain a current one. For example, SignalMindreports that the probability of a sale from a new customer is only 5% to 20%, whereas the probability of converting an existing customer is between 60% and 70%. Additionally, repeat customers spend an average of 33% more than new customers.”

Sweepstakes are a cost-effective way to retain customers. How you ask? Try opting to run a sweepstakes that are marketing only to your email subscribers. This will make them feel special and connected to your brand because you are providing them this opportunity to win. This an easy way to spark the relationship and keep your clientele engaged in your company or brand.

First, you need to figure out what type of prizing to award. There has not been a better time to offer gift cards for your products or services. You already know that your customers enjoy purchasing your products based on their behavior, but they just might not feel they can afford to  do so right now. This will incentivize your customers to enter so they can continue to use your product or service. In addition, another great incentive is to offer everyone who enters a surprise and delight discount coupon.

Business2Community agrees that sweepstakes and contests are an effective strategy if done right.

“Engagement, traffic, and now sales are low, which means you might be ending the month far worse than you started it. It’s time to come up with something quick and effective to recover your numbers: why not run a giveaway or contest? When giveaways are done right, they can bring massive results and even help your brand to go viral. One way to ensure your own giveaway does just that is to make it a foolproof lead machine.”

If you are thinking of running a contest or sweepstakes even if you have a small budget and/or short turnaround, Sync Marketing is here to help. Our TurnkeySweeps by Sync solution is fast, affordable, and effective. In addition, our TurnkeySweeps 2.0 has upgraded security features to keep all of your consumers’ data secure. Contact us today.

Sync Marketing 2019 Decade in Review

By: Sync Marketing | In: Marketing

What a decade it has been. Sync Marketing opened in January or 2011 with the goal to offer clients a specialized service with acute attention to detail. It makes me proud to look back and see that we are still providing this service and haven’t strayed from who we are.

Our Clients

2019 was another great year for Sync Marketing. As we close on this decade we can look back and see enormous growth for Sync both personally and professionally. From the creation of our Turnkey sweeps platform, to receiving new accolades, 2019 was a year for the books!

We enhanced PII security for TurnkeySweeps by Sync by creating a new sweepstakes platform

TurnkeySweeps by Sync got a complete overhaul. The platform is now even more efficient, but most importantly, secure. While Sync never collects social security numbers or credit card information online, we have upgraded our system to meet and /or exceed the latest standards to protect PII.

2020 Top Shop!

Sync Marketing is honored to be listed among the greatest in the business as one of the Top 200 Marketing Agencies for 2020 by Chief Marketer. This is our sixth year receiving this award. In addition, this year we were names Top 10 B2C marketing agency.

Continued our NWBOC certification

Once again Sync Marketing renewed our certification as a business owned and controlled by a woman by the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC), the first national certifier of Women Business Enterprises. The goal of the certification program is to streamline the certification process and increase the ability of women business owners to compete for contracts at a national level.

We are so excited to see what this new decade has to bring!

Sync Marketing 2019 Decade in Review

Holiday Promotions

By: Julie Link | In: Instagram, Sweepstakes

It’s the spookiest and sweepiest time of year! For retailers, the end of October is the time to start ramping up holiday promotions for the season.  And what better way to do this than with a sweepstakes? Sweepstakes are a great solution for retailers because they are cost effective, engaging and produce exceptional ROI. Today, we will discuss the best game plan for running holiday promotions this season.

Type of Sweepstakes

The basic enter to win sweepstakes often produce the best ROI. If the prizing is good and the entry method is simple, it’s a win-win for both customer and brand.

Instagram: If you want to generate some UGC this holiday season, then let your customers imagination go wild by running an Instagram Contest.

Partnerships! Why not partner with a complimentary brand to come up with a fun and engaging sweepstakes. Partnership are great because you receive free advertising from the partner and better prizing. Here’s an example of a fun holiday partnership between Abercrombie and Paper Culture.

Prizing

If you are a retailer, the best prizing is your product. We recommend giving out several gift cards and a larger grand prize. Having more smaller prizes allows consumers to feel like they have a chance to win, while also enticing them with the larger grand prize ($1,000 gift card, a trip, etc).

Consistency!

Our clients customers love it when they run a few during the holiday season. It keeps them engaged with the brand while also feeling as though the brand values them because they are giving away their product. We recommend running a Thanksgiving sweeps, Holiday sweeps and New Year sweeps to keep customer engagement high.

Sync is currently offering a 25% discount for brands who want to run three sweepstakes this Holiday season.  Contact us today for details.

It’s not too late to get started this holiday season. Sync can turn around sweepstakes in less than a week. Please contact us today to get started!

Holiday promotions!

Running a Sweepstakes to Boost CRM and Loyalty

By: Julie Link | In: Instagram, User Generated Content

One of the major goals of running any sweepstakes is to collect information about consumers. What you do with this information as a brand or company can have varying results. CRM (Consumer Relationship Management) and loyalty take on different roles with respect to brand-customer relationships. In this article, we will speak to the benefits of running a sweepstakes to boost CRM and loyalty.

Before we get into the benefits of running a sweepstakes, it’s important to know what the difference is between CRM and loyalty. Ultimately, it comes down to the expectations set between the brand and the consumer with respect to the relationship. When a brand invites a consumer to join their loyalty program, they are asking them to do more, so customers expect more in return for their efforts.With a loyalty program, a brand is looking for customers to be a  fan of the brand and is products; is willing to provide the brand with personal information, and in return wants more exclusive interactions. Conversely, when a company invites a customer to sign up for CRM, they are simply asking for an email address and the customer is promised nothing more in return than receiving non-exclusive promotional emails. Here is a great article that outlines these differences in more detail.

The tween retailer, Justice, recently ran a sweepstakes to offer their Club Justice loyalty members a chance to win a VIP trip to LA to attend their annual Club Justice Awards. This promotion was offered not only to reward their consumers’ loyalty to their program but to drive new consumers to join the loyalty program. One of the stipulations of the sweepstakes was that entrants must be enrolled in the program at time of entry. Part of Justice’s loyalty program is they offer of great perks including the opportunity to win this exclusive prize. This is a good example of a brand running a sweepstakes to boost CRM and reward consumer loyalty.

In order to help your company maximize its CRM and loyalty efforts, it is important to have a clear understanding on these two distinct disciplines. Sync will layout a plan to utilize sweepstakes to boost CRM and loyalty, maximizing the best digital consumer experience and ROI. Contact us for your next CRM or loyalty promotion. https://www.syncmarketing.net/

Quick and Easy Holiday-themed Sweepstakes and Contest Ideas

By: Sync Marketing | In: Marketing

The holidays are right around the corner, but there’s still time to add a holiday-themed sweepstakes or contest to your marketing plans this year. Yes, time is of the essence, but the following ideas can be implemented just in time for the holidays. Below are some quick and easy holiday-themed sweepstakes and contest ideas.

Instagram Sweepstakes

An Instagram sweepstakes is easy, breezy and very effective. It’s a great way to get your customers posting about you and your products or services for their chance to win a cool prize. Have a makeup line? What about a “pretty pumpkin” decorating sweepstakes where consumers are asked to make up their pumpkin instead of carving. Then, they can post it with the campaign hashtag to their Instagram account.  Home décor is your business; how about asking people to show their Thanksgiving table-scape using your merchandise and their personal touches? Shop ‘til you drop? Ask entrants to upload a photo of their best Black Friday experience. Keep in mind if you are asking entrants to use your products, you will also need a free method of entry. Here’s some additional information on the benefits of running an Instagram promotion.

TurnkeySweeps by Sync

The TurnkeySweeps by Sync platform is a cost-effective way to get a sweepstakes running quickly. Consider hosting a simple enter to win promotion that offers consumers a chance to win your merchandise every day in December. This simple sweepstakes approach is a great way to reward your existing customers for the holidays as well as attract new consumers. You can also add on a surprise and delight discount offer to everyone that enters to get people in your door to drive sales after the holidays end. Within this platform, you can easily add instant wins or fun holiday-themed games such as find the matching elf memory game or spin the Hanukah dreidel. Or, consider asking entrants to upload a photo of their favorite holiday dish or a shot of their New Year’s Eve style. To learn more about TurnkeySweeps by Sync, go here.

SMS campaign

This is one of the easiest ways to reach your consumers. Consider running an SMS campaign if you are hosting a holiday event or concert for example. All you need to do is provide the short code and the entrant uses this to text for a chance to win. You can also have in-store POP with the campaign information, so people can enter at point of sale. After the promotion is over, it’s a great way to send reminders and discount offers directly to your customers that opt-in for texts.  Here are some additional benefits to running a text to win campaign.

Hopefully these quick and easy holiday-themed sweepstakes and contest have been helpful. Regardless of which type of campaign you run, keep in mind that there are legal requirements so consulting an agency to help you with the details is key.  Reach out to Sync and we will help get your holiday campaign (or beyond) off the ground.

Quick and Easy Holiday-themed Sweepstakes and Contest Ideas

Why You Should Consider a Double Opt-In When Running A Sweepstakes

By: Julie Link | In: Best Practices, Contests, Marketing

The collection of personally identifying information (PII) is currently a contentious issue. Companies have been proactively taking steps to ensure that their customers’ information is secure. With recent changes in the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the newly-passed privacy law in California, it is now a legal requirement to secure consumers data for anyone who collects information in the EU. This will also go into affect in California in 2020. The goal of most sweepstakes is to collect email opt-ins. This is why it is important to make sure you are following the guidelines. Below we discuss why you should consider a double opt-in when running a sweepstakes.

What is a double opt-in? When entering a sweepstakes, consumers have the option to receive emails from the sponsor. With a double opt-in, after choosing to opt-in during the entry process, the entrant will receive an email with a link that they must follow in order to confirm that they are indeed interested in receiving future email communications from the sponsor.

While some brands may not like the idea of a double opt-in, there are some benefits:

Compliance

Most importantly, the double opt-in process will ensure you are following the data privacy regulations set forth by the EU with the GDPR and the new law in California. Keep in mind even with the double opt-in process, you must make it easy for your subscriber to opt-out at any time.

Increases the value of your email list       

Compliance is important, but not the only benefit. When consumer takes the extra step to confirm their email address, it strengthens your email list because you know this person is legitimately interested in receiving your emails. It also leads to less email bounce backs and opt-outs.

Leads to Increased click throughs           

Building on the value of the email list, when a person chooses to follow through with the double opt-in, it leads to increased opens and click throughs for your emails. Why? Because they are indicating that they are truly interested in your company and products/services.  Click throughs lead to sales, period.

As mentioned, compliance is the most important reason why you should consider a double opt-in when running a sweepstakes. Laws often change so it’s important to know what is legally required. That is why it’s a good idea to consult the experts. Consider reaching out to Sync for your next sweepstakes and we will guide you on all things relating to the collection of PII.

Why You Should Consider a Double Opt-In When Running A Sweepstakes

Brand Loyalty Sweepstakes

By: Sync Marketing | In: Advertising, Legal and Prize Fulfillment, Prize Fulfillment

Sweepstakes and brand loyalty marketing go hand in hand. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to reward your customers all while strengthening the relationship you have with them. Today we will discuss the best types of brand loyalty sweepstakes to run and why.

Start slowly

We always suggest to our clients to run at least a few straight forward enter-to-win sweepstakes before running a loyalty sweepstakes. First and foremost, it will allow you to collect new opt-ins to add to your email list. Also, you will see how sweepstakes resonate with your consumers before you launch a loyalty-based campaign.

It’s all in the email

A brand loyalty sweepstakes starts and ends with email communication. Consumers are interested in your brand and have already signed up to receive emails from you. Now, reward them with the chance to win a great prize. Be sure to put the sweepstakes CTA within the email you send out to your consumers.

Reward, reward, reward

When it comes to a brand loyalty sweepstakes, we think having all entrants win something is a great way to optimize the relationship you have with your customer. To achieve this, you can run an instant win sweepstakes. Here the customer either wins a prize or a discount coupon with a percentage or dollar amount off of your product. If you are a subscription-based service, another way to reward your consumer is to automatically enter them into a sweepstakes for signing up. Here is an example of a recent sweepstakes. Stitch Fix entered all entrants who scheduled a Fix for delivery in the month of June for a chance to win. However, keep in mind, if you require a purchase like this sweepstakes did, you must offer a free alternate means of entry.

Have fun and gather more info

Polls are fun for everyone! People love to give their opinion! And you love to get information on your product, right? Why not ask your loyal customers a question about which new fall look they like best for a chance to win? They are rewarded with a chance to win, and you gather insightful information about your product line for the fall.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to brand loyalty sweepstakes. Whether you’re reaching out to a newly acquired customer or one of your more loyal fans, reach out to Sync to help you strengthen your relationship with you customer by offering unique and engaging ideas.

Brand Loyalty Sweepstakes

How to Avoid Sweepstakes Scams

By: Sync Marketing | In: Best Practices

For marketers, running a sweepstakes is an easy way to gather information about potential consumers. It’s also an effective way to reward current consumers for loyalty to their brand by offering a chance to win a fun prize. Unfortunately, there are people out there who are in the business of running scam promotions. So we’re here today to help you know how to avoid sweepstakes scams. Here is recent CBS News story outlining how Americans were bamboozled out of over $100 Million dollars last year.

Look for the official rules of the sweepstakes

When entering a sweepstakes, be sure to look for the official rules that clearly outlines the parameters of the promotion. Here’s what you are looking for: Sponsor’s name, eligibility, run dates, method of entry and prize details. If you don’t see the official rules listed, don’t give your information.

Don’t enter personal information

Upon entering, a legitimate sweepstakes should only ask you to provide basic information. This would include as your name, email address and sometimes phone number or zip code. If they are asking for your social security number, passport number, or driver’s license information, beware.

If you are a winner, never send money

There will never be an instance where you should be expected to pay for any type of handling fee or service charges to receive your prize. If a prize is valued over $600 you will be asked to provide a W9 form as the prize value won will be reported to the IRS and you will receive a 1099 in the January following the year you won your prize. Also, never give your banking information or credit card numbers. This will never be required for claiming a legitimate prize.

Examine the winner notification email for clues

If you receive an email from a company using a free email service such as Hotmail.com or Gmail.com, it’s quite possible it’s not a legitimate notification. Most companies running a sweepstakes will notify you from their company or their administrator’s company email addresses. Whenever Sync Marketing notifies a winner, we refer potential winners to visit the sweepstakes website where they can view the official rules to see that Sync Marketing is listed as the Administrator. It’s important to do your research.

Social Media has sweepstakes scams too

They are hard to spot, but they do exist. Scammers will set up fake Facebook and Twitter accounts with the hopes of getting you to give up your personal information. They’ve also gone so far as to impersonate Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg. The fake Zuckerberg account sends a message through Facebook Messenger congratulating you that you’ve won the Facebook Lottery. If you click the bait, you find that they will ask you to send money to claim your prize. As mentioned above, no legitimate company will ask you for money to claim your prize. Here’s a recent story on NBC News offering additional tips on how to spot social media sweepstakes scams.

Now that we’ve given you some tips on how to avoid sweepstakes scams, hopefully you will feel comfortable to enter the ones that are legit. There are thousands of legitimate companies running sweepstakes each year offering amazing prizes for the taking. You just need to make sure you protect yourself and be smart. Not quite sold? Here’s some additional information from the Federal Trade Commission. For any additional questions regarding how to avoid sweepstakes scams or sweepstakes in general, please contact us directly.

How to Avoid Sweepstakes Scams