Top Apps for Social Media Contests

by SocialEyes | Jan 16, 2018 | Uncategorized

Running a contest is a sure-fire way to boost engagement and grow your audience. Why? People love free stuff! And who could blame them? Contests are a win-win for everyone.

In exchange for a small investment on your part (i.e. the prize), you have a simple and non-intrusive way to gather contact information from potential customers.

The mechanics of running a social media contest can get a little tedious if you are doing all the work yourself. To streamline the process, we have assembled a handy guide to the best apps for social media contests that do all of the nitty-gritty stuff for you.

1. ShortStack
   • Use it for: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
   • Perks: Drag and drop functionality; 90+ templates and 30+ themes to choose from; the ability to run Hashtag contests, Landing Page contests and web page Embedded contests; analytics tools for monitoring your campaigns’ progress.
   • Cost: Plans run from the Free plan that comes with 100 entries and the basic features, all the way up to the Brand plan which comes with 500,000 entries and far more extensive features at a cost of $499/month.

2. AgoraPulse
   • Use it for: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google +
   • Perks: A variety of contest options including photo contests, quizzes, sweepstakes, coupons and more; highly advanced and detailed analytics to help you pinpoint what works and what doesn’t.
   • Cost: Plans runs from $49/month for individuals up to $299/month for large businesses and brands. 

3. Wishpond
   • Use it for: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest
   • Perks: App integration with a vast array of management tools including Salesforce, Slack, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, Mad Mimi and much more; email marketing automation; 10 social media contest options including video contests, referrals, hashtags and sweepstakes.
   • Cost: Plans runs from $49/month up to $199/month with the option of a 14 day free trail for all plans. 

4. Rafflecopter
   • Use it for: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
   • Perks: Unlimited giveaways and entries at any plan level; simplest user interface out there; instant email integration with apps like MailChimp, Mad Mimi, Mailjet and many more; custom themes; flexible billing.
   • Cost: Basic features, including unlimited giveaways and entries, are available with the Free plan. A step up will cost you $13/month. The priciest option with all of the bells and whistles will cost you $89/month. 

5. Woobox
   • Use it for: Facebook with integration for Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
   • Perks: A variety of contest types including photos, quizzes, polls and games; extensive integration with Facebook; campaign templates with the option of customization to fit your needs.
   • Cost: Yearly and monthly plans are available. Solo plans are $30/month while plans for larger businesses can cost up to $500/month. An option for enterprises with tools for managing multiple brands is also available.

6. Gleam
   • Use it for: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, Steam, Twitch, Eventbrite
   • Perks: Unique reward system setups like Unlocking Game Keys, as well unique contest entry options like Nominate-a-Friend; 3^rd party app integration; fraud protection; support for 20+ languages.
   • Cost: Plans are available from $0/month with limited features, all the way up to $149/month or $1,490/annum.

These apps take a lot of the guesswork and technical stuff like coding out of running social media contests, so that you can focus on growing your business.

Want to learn more about creating a sensational social media presence? Check out our guide to social media advertising for newbies!

5 Tips to Handle Negative Feedback on Social Media

by SocialEyes | Jan 16, 2018 | Uncategorized

Public negative feedback is every business owner’s worst nightmare. Social media makes it easier than ever before for customers to post complaints and criticism all for the world to see. How you respond to negative feedback has an impact your reputation.

Customers want to know that they are appreciated and valued by the brands they buy from. With this in mind, check out our tips for handling negative feedback like a pro.

1. Track Your Mentions

While people will use social media to sound off about your brand, they won’t always do you the favour of tagging your company directly. In order to respond to feedback, you need to be aware of what your customers are saying about your brand. Keep an eye on all hashtags, mentions, keywords, and links that are connected to your brand. You can even set up a Google Alert to notify you when certain key phrases have been used anywhere on the internet.

2. Sometimes No Response Is the Best Response

Not all negative feedback deserves a response, so pick your battles. As your brand grows and gains a larger audience, you may see an uptick in trolling or inappropriate comments that spout derogatory sentiments. These comments are often provocative for the sake of eliciting an emotional response. It is best not to engage directly. Instead, include a set of community guidelines on your page where customers can see what kind of comments your brand will not tolerate, and delete any comments that violate these guidelines.

3. Timing Matters

Part of the reason why so many customers turn to social media to vent their frustrations is that they expect that online complaints will receive a faster response. The majority of social media users believe companies should be responding within an hour or two. Unanswered comments can foster even more frustration and upset leading to more negative feedback. Part of building ongoing customer loyalty is maintaining a quick response time.

4. Avoid Using Dismissive or Accusatory Language

Resist the urge to fight back. Using language that dismisses a customer’s concern or implies the customer is to blame for the issue is a BIG no-no. Make use of your active listening skills and work to acknowledge the criticisms raised; and do not forget to be specific in your reply. A customer that feels heard and valued is much more likely to be receptive to any solutions you can offer them.

5. Engage in Public Then Continue the Conversation One-On-One

Make your initial reply in public so that the customer and anyone else reading is aware that you are present, honest and approachable. Public replies show your customers and prospects that you are actively reading their feedback which will encourage them to engage with your social media pages.

After you have made your public reply, initiate a private conversation with the commenter through direct messaging. In a private exchange you will be able to discuss their complaint and gather account information or order details without jeopardizing their privacy.

No one can do it all on their own. If you need someone with expertise in social media management to monitor your socials and engage with customers, contact us! Our diverse team includes community managers with the know-how to help you navigate those comments.