Online Sweepstakes and Contests – Questions on Cyber Monday

By: Sync Marketing | In: Ask Sync, Ask Sync Marketing, Best Practices, Contests, Facebook, Instagram, Sweepstakes

On this Cyber Monday, we thought it would be fitting to feature some questions that we’ve recently received about online sweepstakes and contests since these promotions live in the cyber world so to speak. 

What are the benefits of running an online sweepstakes vs. running one in a retail store location?

There are many benefits to running an online sweepstakes vs. asking entrants to visit your store to fill out an entry form as the entry method. In fact, brick and mortar store sweepstakes have become increasing less common over recent years because of the convenience and popularity of online sweepstakes. With an online sweepstakes, not only can you give your entrants an easy and seamless way to participate, you can also highlight specific merchandise or messaging that you want to get across during the entry process.  Below are a few other reasons why you should consider running an online sweepstakes:

Easily collect email opt-ins. With a manual entry, if you get entrants permission to send them future communications from your company, you will need to physically enter the entrant’s information, which can be a very time consuming process.

More exposure.  With an instore-only sweepstakes, you are limiting yourself to people that will be already visiting your store location. If you run an online sweepstakes and offer enticing prizes, you have the chance of attracting people that may not have known about your company to check out your site and subsequently your merchandise while they are entering your sweepstakes.

Where should I run my online sweepstakes?

This question really depends on what your goals are for running a sweepstakes. If you want to capture email opt-ins, you should consider running your online sweepstakes on a dedicated microsite or an iFrame on your company’s website. If you want user generated content, you might want to consider a sweepstakes that is featured on social media channels like Instagram or Twitter. Here is a blog article that touches on running social media sweepstakes:

How do I maximize my online sweepstakes to ensure the best possible ROI?

One thing to keep in mind is that marketing your online sweepstakes is as important as creating the concept. It is also very important to know who your target audience is before you run your sweepstakes to ensure that you are promoting the sweepstakes on the right channels. A sweepstakes can be a very powerful tool and can provide a strong ROI if used correctly.  Here is a blog article that touches on the benefits of running an online sweepstakes and why you should consider adding one to your marketing plans. 

If you have additional online sweepstakes and contests questions for this upcoming Cyber Monday, feel free to send them to inquiries@syncmarketing.net or you can reach out to us here, and your question may be featured in an upcoming blog post.

Sync Marketing Certified as a Woman Business Enterprise

By: Julie Link | In: Contests, Marketing, Sweepstakes

Sync Marketing Certified as a Woman Business Enterprise (or WOSB, EDWOSB, VBE or VWBE)

Sync Marketing, an online marketing agency that specializes in online sweepstakes and contests, has been certified 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.  Over 700 public and private sector individuals participated in establishing the Standards and Procedures of this rigid certification review.  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.

“Certification provides a marketing opportunity for women business enterprises to participate in outreach programs,” says Jennifer French co-founder of Sync Marketing.  “In addition, this program will enable us to develop relationships with larger companies and create opportunities for future partnerships with them and public and private companies.”

 “NWBOC seeks to increase the ability of women business owners to compete for corporate and government contracts,” says Janet Harris-Lange, President of NWBOC.  “At the same time, NWBOC also hopes to decrease the number of front operations participating in corporate and government outreach programs.”

NWBOC, a national 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, was created in response to needs identified by the Procurement Special Interest Group of the National Association of Women Business Owners.  The study revealed that the public and private sector had not received nor recognized the benefits of contracting with women suppliers.  This has prevented purchasers from obtaining the best value in their procurement and it has limited women business owners from penetrating these markets, which has stymied their growth.   NWBOC seeks to provide more corporations with the opportunity to better their procurement practices and to women suppliers the opportunity to compete.  NWBOC provides the following certifications:  WBE (Woman Business Enterprise), WOSB and EDWOSB for the 8m federal contracting program (Approved Third Party Certifier for the U.S. Small Business Administration) and VBE/VWBE for male and female veteran owned companies.  For more information, visit www.nwboc.org.

Sync Marketing is a Los Angeles based, marketing agency specializing in online sweepstakes, contests and games. Sync Marketing handles all administrative services, including: strategy, management, design, programming, legal, prize procurement/fulfillment, analytics and reporting. If you are interested in doing business with Sync Marketing you can call 323-596-7962 or email inquiries@syncmarketing.net.

Sync Marketing is named a 2016 PROMO Top Shop

By: Sync Marketing | In: Contests, Sweepstakes

Sync Marketing is named a 2016 PROMO Top Shop – joining the ranks of the Top 100 Promotional Marketing Agencies

Los Angeles, CA – November 6, 2015 – Sync Marketing LLC has been named to the 2016 PROMO Top Shops, a listing of the Top 100 U.S. Promotional Marketing Agencies selected by the editors of Chief Marketer.

Sync Marketing is a Los Angeles based, marketing agency specializing in online sweepstakes, contests and games. In addition, Sync can handle all administrative services, including: strategy, management, design, programming, legal, prize procurement/fulfillment, analytics and reporting. Sync can also handle cost effective and turnkey sweepstakes. In addition, Sync is certified as a business owned and controlled by a woman by the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC).

PROMO Top Shops is an online searchable directory highlighting each agency’s core services, contact information and company snapshot. Both brand marketers looking for exceptional agencies and agencies seeking experienced partners to work with accessed this easy-to-use resource on ChiefMarketer.com almost 15,000 times over the year.

We’re honored and excited to be listed among this exceptional group of agencies. Now going into our 6^th year, we feel we’ve proved our value among the best in the country and hope to continue to provide our clients exceptional service with the sweepstakes and contests we create for them. – Julie Link, Co-Founder

About Chief Marketer

Chief Marketer is the trusted source of insights and ideas for more than 140,000 marketers who rely on our suite of content and live-event resources to help them cut through the noise and find the solutions necessary to optimize their performance. In addition to PROMO Top Shops, Chief Marketer also put together the definitive list of B2B marketing agencies. It also produces leading events, awards programs and video and written content for senior brand and B2B marketers.