1. 7 Tips to Promote
your Ugly Carpet photo
If your floor really is as ugly as you say it is, you might want to
strategize some ways to help you promote your Ugly Carpet
Contest photo entry. Here are 7 simple ways we are suggesting to
get you started letting as many people as possible know about
your entry – giving you the best possible chance of winning.
After all, most votes wins!!
The following 7 suggestions are explained in detail below:
2. 7 Tips to Promote your Entry
The following 7 suggestions are explained in detail below:
1. Edit your Ugly Carpet Story
2. TAG yourself
3. Share on your wall
4. Send direct messages on Facebook
5. Send to your email list
6. Create your own video and send it to your friends
7. Get your closest friends onboard
(Bonus tip) Make an announcement: “If I win I will...”
3. Tip 1: Edit your Ugly Carpet Story
• Once you have your Photo posted you should probably put a
couple minutes effort into your Ugly Carpet Story. Ideally you
want your Ugly Carpet Story to help everyone in your
community identify with who you are, giving them a glimpse
into your life (e.g. “why does your winning make the most
sense”, etc.). Your story should take them on a short journey
to a place where they want you to win.
• HOW DO I DO THIS?
To edit your story simply go to the photo you posted and click the link on the right called
“Edit This Photo”.
Then you can edit your text and save it.
Remember to start with the line ‘I need new flooring”, and press enter.
Next describe your carpet, how it is affecting you and what new carpet will mean to you.
It is a good idea at the end of your story to give simple instructions on how to vote;
something like: “to vote for me simply go to the Kingston page
www.KingstonFloors.com/facebook, click ‘Like’ at the top of the page and then scroll
down to my photo and click ‘Like’. Also, please comment on my photo to encourage
others to vote.”
Now that you have your story just the way you want it, it’s time to link yourself
with your entry; see Tip 2.
4. Tip 2: TAG yourself
TAG yourself in your photo as well as everyone
who would benefit from you winning new
carpet.
For those less familiar with Facebook – this does not
mean you get to play tag with yourself!! TAGGING is a
Facebook feature allowing you to associate a photo with
particular people (see directions below). It is a good idea
to tag yourself, your spouse, children and anyone else
that could possibly benefit from you winning new carpet.
This will make it easy for everyone to associate you with
your entry, and vote for you.
HOW DO I DO THIS? Tagging your photo is very easy.
• When you are at your photo entry, click the link on the right “Tag
This Photo”.
• Now click anywhere in the photo and a box will appear.
• Start typing your name and the box will find your profile.
• Click your name in the bottom of the box and click tag.
• Repeat this for everyone that would benefit if you were to win the
new carpet.
Now that you have your photo and text ready you can start spreading the word;
see Tip 3.
5. Tip 3: Share on Your Wall
It is easy to share your Photo Entry on your
“wall” so that everyone can see your entry and
help you win this contest.
HOW DO I DO
THIS?
• Simply go to your
image and click the
“share” link on the
right.
• Enter, then write a
persuasive note
encouraging your
friends to vote for
your photo.
• Now click the ‘share’
button.
When you have it posted to your wall it is time to send it out to specific people
and get more engagement; see Tip 4.
6. Tip 4: Send direct messages on Facebook
The first 3 suggestions we gave you are about sending General
Messages to everyone on your Facebook list. This is a good first
approach, but to get the people you know personally involved,
you’ll probably want to contact them individually. We recommend
sending out personal messages to each of your friends.
HOW DO I DO THIS?
• Prepare a short paragraph that
will be cut-and-pasted into
each message that tells your
friends about the contest and
asks them to help you by
voting for you (make in
exciting).
• Click the same ‘share’ button.
• In the bottom left click the link
“Send as a Message instead”.
• Now in the ‘To’ field start
typing the name of a friend
(this will auto-fill, when you
start typing).
• In the ‘Message’ area start by
writing one or two lines to
that person. (Show respect to
each of your friends by
personally connecting with
them, before adding your
prepared paragraph.)
• Now paste the paragraph you
wrote about the UGLY
FLOORING contest.
• Click ‘Send Message’, and
Repeat this procedure for all
of your friends. Now that you have contacted your Facebook friends, it’s time to
look outside of Facebook to get everyone else involved; see Tip 5.
7. Tip 5: Send a message to your email
contacts
Chances are many of your acquaintances are not yet
Facebook Friends. It’d be a shame for them to miss
out on the fun, as well as you missing out on their
votes. We recommend sending an email to all your
email contacts letting them know about the contest
and asking them to help you win.
HOW DO I DO THIS?
• After writing a quick “Hi, how’re you doing, explain a
little about the contest and let your friend know how
excited you are to win. (You could even use the same
cut-and-paste paragraph you prepared for strategy #4
here.)
• Once you’ve given them a few details, let them know
what they need to do to vote for you; you could write
something like “Please help me win by voting for my
ugly carpet. All you need to do is go to
www.kingstonfloors.com/facebook, click the ‘Like’
button at the top of the page and then scroll down to
my carpet photo and click the ‘Like’ button beside it.
Thanks for your help”
Now that we have used the traditional channels to get your friends involved, it is
time to have fun and be a bit more creative; see Tip 6.
8. Tip 6: Create your own video and send it to your
friends
Sometimes the easiest and funniest way for your friends to
understand what you are trying to tell them is by video; and with
today's technology it is easier than ever to take a quick video of
yourself and post it for your friends to see. Even better is making
the video funny, silly or dramatic - something that will make it
stand out for them. Your friends will love it, and because you
made them laugh there is a much better chance they will take the
time to vote for you. (The most votes wins!!)
HOW DO I DO THIS?
• To post a video, go to your profile
wall and directly under the box that
says "What's on your mind?" click on
the video link.
• There you can (1) upload a video
from your camera or video phone, or
if you have webcam you can (2)
record it right on to Facebook.
• Once you have your video ready (but
before you click "Post"), don't forget
to add a
friendly/funny/interesting/personal
comment including instructions for
how to vote and a link to your Ugly
Carpet photo.
Now that you've got your friends laughing might be a good time to get their help
with spreading your message even further; see Tip 7.
9. Tip 7: Get your closest friends onboard
Facebook is all about passing exciting ideas from friend, to
friend, to friend, and it will be extremely helpful to your
cause for you to invite your closest friends to be a part of
your victory and to help you intently spread the word to their
friends as well.
HOW DO I DO THIS?
• Select 3 to 7 of your closest friends who wouldn't mind being asked
for their help.
• It is generally a good idea to think of serious Facebook users, but
anyone solidly in your corner could be an asset here.
• Although you could email them with your request, it is likely more
effective to call them up, or even better to meet for coffee to tell
them your plans about winning this contest.
The amount of impact a person or small group of motivated
individuals can have by using the internet (e.g. with Facebook) is truly
amazing. Obviously our suggestions are not the ONLY ways to make
this work, but we hope we've gotten you started towards winning!!
One thing certain is that being intentional and excited about getting
others involved in your victory will definitely provide you with the
greatest possible impact.
Are you still eager for more ideas on how to WIN THIS CONTEST?
See our BONUS TIP.
10. Bonus Tip - MAKE A COMMITMENT: "If I win I will..."
Still want more?
There are likely many who will get to the end of this list and still be
looking for more ways of attracting votes. For these go-getters, we
have included the following bonus tip. This technique is typically
used by those most intent on winning; and it almost never fails to
get an amazing response.
HOW DO I DO THIS?
• The idea is to think of something you
can promise to do that will motivate
your friends and acquaintances to vote
for you - this will probably be
something surprising, unusual, funny,
or amazing (be creative!!).
• Next: Inform your friends that WHEN
YOU WIN you will carry out this feat or
activity, and you will document that you
have done it (e.g. take a video of
yourself and post it on Facebook for
everyone to see).
• Some ideas: Your plan could include
anything from shaving your head, giving
your much loved X-BOX to charity, or
hosting a barbeque for all your friends
to celebrate the new carpet. You know
your group of friends the best and it is
important to come up with something
that will get them interested.
11. Think outside the box
When it comes to what other fabulous ideas you
might have for guaranteeing your win, there are
almost no limits (other than the obvious
legal/moral ones - duh). We've heard many
amazing, creative, and daring ideas (from printing
out thousands of "Vote for Me" cards and handing
them out at a fair, to having your plans included in
a church bulletin). So go ahead, be daring… Think
outside the box… Don't be afraid to try something
different.
In fact we'd be tickled to hear about your funniest
and most creative ideas, and how they worked out
for you!!
Have fun!!