12+ Creative Social Media Contest Ideas and Examples with Templates – Looking for the top SEO agency? 3x SEO agency of the year, we can help improve your search engine optimization with our custom services. ✓ Get started!

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Introduction

Social media contests provide a fun and engaging way for businesses to connect with their customers and increase brand awareness. They can also help increase customer loyalty and drive traffic to your website. However, coming up with exciting contest ideas can be challenging.

In this article, we’ve compiled 12+ creative social media contest ideas and examples to help get your creative juices flowing. Plus, we’ve included templates to make it easy for you to organize your next social media contest.

1. Photo Caption Contest

Photo caption contests are an excellent way to engage your audience and encourage them to interact with your brand. Simply post a photo on your social media page and ask followers to come up with a creative caption. The winner can receive a prize, such as free merchandise or a gift card.

For example, S’well encouraged users to submit a photo of their water bottle in a beautiful location with the hashtag #SwellAdventures. The winner would receive a $100 S’well gift card (source).

2. User-Generated Content Contest

User-generated content contests give your followers the opportunity to show off their creativity and love for your brand. Encourage your followers to create and share content, such as photos or videos, featuring your product or service.

For example, GoPro challenged their followers to submit their best travel photo using the hashtag #TravelGoProContest (source). The winner would receive a GoPro camera.

3. Trivia Contest

Trivia contests are a fun way to entertain your followers while also promoting your brand. Post a trivia question, and the first person to answer correctly wins a prize. You can also offer a grand prize to the person who answers the most questions correctly over a specified period.

For example, Nat Geo Kids hosted a trivia contest where users had to correctly answer questions about animals (source). The winner received a prize package worth $500.

4. Hashtag Challenge

Hashtag challenges are an excellent way to encourage user-generated content and expand your brand’s reach. Create a branded hashtag and challenge your followers to create content around it. You can then repost or share the best submissions.

For example, Chipotle launched a #GuacDance challenge, encouraging users to perform a dance using an avocado (source). The winner received free Chipotle for a year.

5. Voting Contest

Voting contests are an excellent way to increase engagement and let your followers have a say in your brand’s decision-making process. Post two options, and your followers can vote for their favorite. You can then offer a prize to a random participant or the person who voted for the winning option.

For example, Lays held a “Do Us a Flavor” contest where users could submit ideas for a new chip flavor (source). The winner received a hefty cash prize.

6. Treasure Hunt Contest

A treasure hunt contest is a fun and interactive way to engage your followers and drive traffic to your website. Hide clues or Easter eggs throughout your website or social media pages, and the first person to find them all wins a prize.

For example, Xbox launched an Easter treasure hunt where users had to find hidden eggs on the Xbox website (source). The first person to find all the eggs won an Xbox One X.

7. Countdown Contest

A countdown contest builds anticipation for a new product release or event. Post a teaser image or video with a countdown clock, and encourage your followers to guess what’s coming. The first person to guess correctly can win a prize.

For example, Starbucks launched a “Starbucks for Life” contest where users could guess the word of the day to enter the sweepstakes (source). The grand prize was Starbucks for life.

8. Follow and Share Contest

This contest is an easy way to increase your brand’s reach and social media following. Post a picture or graphic and encourage your users to follow your page and share the post. One lucky participant could win a prize.

For example, The Body Shop held a social media giveaway where users could win a gift set by following the brand on Instagram and reposting their photo (source).

9. Emoji Contest

An emoji contest is a fun and unique way to engage your audience. Post an emoji sequence, and the first person to correctly guess what it stands for wins a prize. You can also offer additional prizes for the most creative answers.

For example, the Atlanta Falcons hosted a “Mystery Emoji Contest” where users had to guess what the emojis represented to win tickets to a Falcons game (source).

10. Talent Contest

A talent contest is an excellent way to encourage user-generated content and showcase your followers’ unique talents. Encourage your followers to submit videos of themselves demonstrating their talents, and the winner receives a prize.

For example, The Voice launched a “Your Voice” competition where users could submit videos of themselves singing for a chance to appear on the show (source).

Conclusion

Social media contests are an excellent way to increase engagement, build brand awareness, and connect with your audience. By using these creative ideas and templates, you can easily organize a successful social media contest. Remember to have fun and be creative, and you’re sure to see an increase in customer loyalty and brand awareness.