Get creative with your sweepstakes to make it interesting for your fans.
Once you've set up a Facebook "fan" page for your business or organization, you have a number of ways to promote it and gain new fans and create more activity on your page. One way is to run a sweepstakes or contest on your Page, which encourages people to engage with you on Facebook. This can be an effective way to gain repeat visitors, who may eventually turn into repeat customers or supporters. There are multiple ways to carry this out, depending on your personal preferences.
Instructions
1. Check your page's permission settings to ensure that you have it set up to allow comments and photos from people who "like" the page. Click "Edit Page" from the top right of the page; then click "Manage Permissions" from the left-hand menu to update your permission settings under "Posting Ability." Click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the Permissions box when you've updated the settings.
2. Encourage people to interact with your page by holding a photo contest. Pick a theme, and send out a status update that encourages people to share photos within that theme on your Facebook Page. Anyone who posts a photo will be entered into a drawing for the cool prize of your choice. Then keep track of who posted photos, and randomly select a winner. As an alternative, choose the best photo and reward the winner. When you pick a winner, send out a status update congratulating them.
3. Encourage people to comment on your page, and offer a reward for commenting. This can help get people engaged with your page, but it can also help you gauge the needs of your audience. Post a status update that asks a question pertaining to your business; then instruct people to comment. Also let readers know that if they comment, they'll receive a discount for your services, get a special prize or be entered into a sweepstakes for something special.
4. Encourage people to "like" your page by offering a special gift. Announce in a status update on your Facebook page -- and on your website or blog if you have one -- that you'll be giving away a special prize on a certain date. To win, people have to simply "like" your page. Include a photo of the prize in the status update, so people know what they're getting. Since sending out status updates about the sweepstakes will only reach your current "fans," it's important to promote this on your website, blog and posters or other correspondence. Provide the link to your Facebook page so people can easily access it.
