Social Network Marketing Tycoon

**Blonde Jon** · 09-13-2006, 11:50 PM

I've heard of people giveing away prizes to promote their online community. Those of you who have done this, what prizes have you given away? What prizes brought the most people?

**imported_WoodiE55** · 09-14-2006, 05:26 PM

On my first forum I first gave away a nitro engine which brought in a lot of traffic. Since then I've gave away tools, and such though a full kit seems to go over very well on the site!

My new forum (see sig) I'm giving away $200 and two panasonic 5.8Ghz phones.

**Blonde Jon** · 09-14-2006, 10:50 PM

So, you are giving away some slightly expensive items. Do you think people would be interested in small prizes $20-$30 value?

**sdburris** · 09-15-2006, 12:41 AM

I think small prizes are just as good as expensive one. There are all kind of people out there. Just like us.

**Jerlene** · 09-24-2006, 05:53 AM

Domains, V.I.P. memberships, the ability to moderate threads that they start, etc. A lot of young people are interested in moderating and the older demographic like the V.I.P. membership because it gives them access to forums where they can buy/sell/trade/advertise things.

**imported_BellaNightshade** · 09-24-2006, 03:43 PM

Everything from gift certificates to dvd's to promotional movie stuff depending on the sort of competition it is that we're running at the time.

**007** · 09-24-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdburris

I think small prizes are just as good as expensive one. There are all kind of people out there. Just like us.

This is somewhat true, but the response will almost always be directly proportional to the prizes. I gave away an XBOX 360 last year and had a HUGE response.

Then I gave away a cheap $150 iPod a few months back and the response was in a word "meh."

I personally wouldn't join a forum for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate, but there are some people who will, so it's a game of luck and a game of chance half the time.

**JustinG** · 09-24-2006, 09:13 PM

Anything to do with your niche. If its gaming give away a game, if its pets do a petco giftcard etc etc.

**smnoel** · 09-24-2006, 10:28 PM

I've given away books I'm promoting, just finished a campaign/contest for sumo lounge, and primarily cosmetic/beauty items. (clinique, hilfiger, estee lauder)

I sometimes do smaller contests that are just a random drawing for current members where they don't have to really do anything, sometimes word games whatnot. I use larger contests with the prize being over $100 retail value for when I want to motivate members to do a specific action like follow a specific theme I'm trying to pull together, help a particular section on my site, or help launch a new site in the network.

I try to think of prizes that I would enjoy winning and are also a good match for my readers.