Yes and no.
Sweepstakes can be effective when used as “icing on the cake” in a highly targeted direct marketing program.
In B-to-B marketing, whether our universe is 500 Named Accounts or 500,000 SMB IT Managers, a sweepstakes can act as the “reward” for taking the time to complete a short survey or set of profile questions. However, I’d NEVER suggest using the sweepstakes as a primary offer, as we want to provide our audience with valuable content in exchange for their response. Again, the sweepstakes is only intended to be the icing on the cake.
I have discovered many new products through sweepstaking.
I agree with artmarcia. I have found many things and ordered things because a sweepstake or contest drew me to the product! I think it is a great way to advertise!!
Sweepstakes let me learn about companies I may not have been aware of previously. I’ve bought and used many new products from discovering them through sweepstakes.
Of course they work!
Gets a new customer by turning them on to a product they might not be sure about or never heard of. And keeps current customers happy by giving away there fav’s for free on occassion!
I have won sweepstakes, which left me feeling very favorable towards the companies, even if I had a bad customer service experience with them before. I also feel loyal to purchase from companies that generously offer these promotions.
It takes a bundle to attract a new or potential customer; a contest or sweepstake, with a targeted prize and good promotion, is a worthwhile investment in that it not only draws many potential new clients, it creates goodwill in your target demographic – as well as creating buzz about your company in a broader community.