Just a few minutes web surfing will introduce you to all types of contests and giveaways on websites, company and product blogs, sign-up pages for newsletters, ezines, online resource sites, and individual retailers' and marketers' websites.

Why? Because everyone loves FREE, and almost no one can resist a contest – so they can potentially draw hundreds, maybe even thousands, of visitors to your website.

Here are some guidelines to using contests and giveaways to drive traffic to your site(s):

1 – Entry rules can include tweeting about your contest, sharing the giveaway on Facebook,and writing blog posts about the contest.

2 – Free samples will get buzz going for new and established products. Use the same entry requirements as above. And while they're on the request page, ask people to subscribe to your blog feed, join your network on Facebook, and follow you on Twitter.

3 – Make your giveaway go viral. Promote it on YouTube, Digg, Stumble Upon, and other similar sites. Promote it on giveaway websites such as giveawayhub.com or giveawayroundup.com. Promote it in comments on blogs related to your industry, product or the giveaway itself.

4 – Offer prizes that are popular and worthwhile. Prizes don't need to be expensive, but unique, highly desired or currently “hot” – i.e., an iPad, Kindle e-reader, even dinner with a celebrity (if you know one who'll agree to work with you!)

5 – Create a web page just for your giveaways so readers can readily find them. Include a list of past winners (get permission before posting their names).

6 – Promoting successful giveaways and contests may offer you options to do more of them. Sponsors will see your success and want you to host their next contest, thereby sending more traffic to your site. Get more mileage by asking the sponsor to write about working with you, via either a recommendation that you post on your blog or website, or a LinkedIn recommendation.

The Benefits of Contests

The benefits of running a contest or giveaway on your blog will vary depending on the type and goal of your contest.

The benefits of running a contest or giveaway on will vary depending on the type and goal of your contest.

The most important idea you need to consider before undertaking a contest is to determine the objectives of your contest before you even begin to design it.

What do you want to get out of it? The answer will shape everything from the prize(s) you offer to the rules.

Generally speaking, there are two different types of contests to consider:

1. Internal – focus on the customers you already have and include them in the contest keeping your brand in front of them.
2. External – focus on attracting new clients.

What are the Goals of Your Contest or Giveaway?

1. Finding New Customers – the idea behind a contest is that the lure of prizes will draw new site visitors in, and that those new visitors will become clients. This objective is, however, harder than it appears on the surface: simply announcing that you’re going to give away a great prize isn’t enough to draw in new visitors.

2. Rewarding Loyal Clients – most businesses have clients who have been with them from the company's inception. It’s easy to take them for granted – so a giveaway lets you give a little something back.

3. Increase Website Traffic – a contest can be an avenue to increasing the number of visitors to your website. You could ask participants to register online. In the registration form ask if they would like to be added to your email list, giving you both a contest participant and a lead.

4. Create Good 'Buzz' – most successful contests or giveaways provide an increase in the general positive 'vibe' surrounding your company's image. This “buzz” impacts your brand and helps encourage clients to do business with your company.

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