I have seen lots of dentists run very successful promotions on Facebook, doubling or even tripling the number of fans who ‘Like’ their page and - consequently - dramatically increasing their social media influence.
Unfortunately, most of these promotions have been ILLEGAL.
Facebook has rigid guidelines for running “contests” (contestants compete for a prize of monetary value where the selection of a winner is based on a criteria of skill) or “sweepstakes” (contestants compete for a prize of monetary value where the selection of a winner is based only on chance). From the Promotions Guidelines (found here: https://www.facebook.com/promotions_guidelines.php):
- Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or an app on a Page Tab.
- Promotions on Facebook must include the following:
a. A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.
b. Acknowledgment that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
c. Disclosure that the participant is providing information to [disclose recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook.
- You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism. For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant.
- You must not condition registration or entry upon the user taking any action using any Facebook features or functionality other than liking a Page, checking in to a Place, or connecting to your app. For example, you must not condition registration or entry upon the user liking a Wall post, or commenting or uploading a photo on a Wall.
- You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.
- You must not notify winners through Facebook, such as through Facebook messages, chat, or posts on profiles or Pages.
In plain English: you MUST use an outside app to run a contest on Facebook. If you choose ignore these guidelines, you run the risk of
There are lots of these outside apps. Two with free basic options include https://www.facebook.com/easypromos and http://offerpop.com/SiteHome.psp.
Has anyone had good luck with third-party apps for Facebook? Let us know!
