I’ve tried a variety of social media contests and promotions in the past 12 months and some have worked well and a couple weren’t very popular. Given the successes and the ease of implementing these programs – not to mention the cost (FREE!), I continue to suggest my clients that we develop one-of-a-kind promotions on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets (including e-newsletter promotions).
Some of the programs that were successful include:
-A Facebook contest for Zona Rosa. We surprised our 15,000 fans with a contest: the first 20 people to show up at Guest Services would receive a $25 gift card. The Facebook page went crazy with comments and we gave away the gift cards in about 20 minutes. People came running in with their laptops, cell phone and print pages. It was a lot of fun and we generated a ton of new fans.
-We tried a re-tweet for a treat contest and didn’t get a ton of participation, but I still think that it was a cute promotion and might grow in popularity with another go.
Lastly, here’s one that was a big success for my client.
RA SUSHI HONORS INTERNATIONAL SUSHI DAY WITH COMPLIMENTARY TOOTSY MAKI FOR ALL FACEBOOK FRIENDS
“Like” RA on Facebook for a special offer good for one day only
On June 18, 2010, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant celebrated International Sushi Day, an informal holiday created to encourage sushi lovers around the world to eat more sushi. In honor of this day, anyone who “likes” RA Sushi on Facebook was able to print a special offer good for one complimentary Tootsy Maki, redeemable at one of RA Sushi’s 25 locations nationwide, including Leawood, Kan.
The special offer was promoted on Facebook only. Tootsy Maki is one of RA Sushi’s most popular rolls containing kani kama crab mix, shrimp and cucumber, rolled and topped with crunchy tempura bits and drizzled with a sweet eel sauce. This signature dish was free on International Sushi Day for those who “like” RA Sushi on Facebook and came into the restaurant with the Facebook coupon.
To make this holiday even more official, RA Sushi declared June 18 as International Sushi Day in Chase’s Calendar of Events, the most comprehensive and authoritative reference available on special events, worldwide holidays, civic observations, and more. International Sushi Day will appear in the 2011 edition of Chase’s Calendar of Events.
The restaurant hopes to get even more redemptions next year. Results for this year (which include all 25 locations) show that RA increased visits to the Facebook pages, received more than 2,000 “likes” on Facebook, generated comments regarding the special offer, drew more Twitter followers, garnered media mentions and most importantly drew 48 people to walk into RA Sushi Leawood to redeem their Tootsy Maki coupon.
