Facebook added new possibilities, so how can you quickly decide which option is best for your page? Read on!

INFOGRAPHIC:
Guide to deciding between a Timeline Contest, a Tab Contest, or both!

Timeline Contest is best if:

• If you want to launch right away (like today!)
• If you want fast engagement (like’s and comments on a post)
• If you have no budget at all

A Facebook timeline contest will give you fast engagement and can be deployed quickly.

Tab Contest on your Facebook page is best if:

• You want to grow Page likes.  (Offers Like Gate to ensure fans like the Page to access the contest)
• You want to capture lead information such as email addresses for future marketing
• You want more design control
• You want advanced features

A Facebook contest on a tab will give you greater control and better lead capture.

That’s the quick overview.  Yes, TabSite offers both types;

- TabSite’s Timeline Contest app

- TabSite’s Tab app Contest tools

Want more information?  Continue on..

Advantages of a Timeline Contest

• Quick and easy to setup, simply create a post!
• Fun way to engage fans & visitors
• Free to run
• Runs totally in News Feed where users spend the most time
• Offers way to increase your Reach and Engagement
• The more Reach and Engagement, the more potential to grow your community

Disadvantages of a Timeline Contest

• Cannot collect email addresses
• Cannot have a Like Gate to ensure entrant Likes your Page
• The Page cannot re-share the post easily to tell people about the contest multiple times
• Need to post or link to full rules and the required release of Facebook’s responsibility for the contest, which can be cumbersome to do in a post
• Without email address, it can be harder to notify the winner

Advantages of a Facebook Tab App Contest

• As noted, gathering email addresses is significant for future marketing
• More design and branding control for the contest
• Can ensure Like Gate is in place so entrants/voters become fans of the page
• Contest has a “home” on Facebook so it is easy to share and link to for promoting
• Rules and Terms have simple way to be displayed, viewed, and accessed
• Great user experience of seeing all entries, voting, and sharing a entry you like
• Can be accessed on Facebook or also off of Facebook on a web page
• Can integrate other tools such as a Instagram Image contest

Disadvantages of a Tab App Contest

• Requires entrants to click from a post to go to the tab
• Takes more time to setup, add graphics, and customize to deploy
• Typically is going to cost at least $19-$30+ dollars to run
• Requires use of the Smart URL to overcome Facebook mobile limitations

That ‘s the low down!  Now get started!

The TabSite Timeline Contest is a free tool to use.  The  Contest Engagement App  offers a 14 Day Free Trial.

Podcast Episode #7 2013 This Halftime Mike Podcast episode looks into the Facebook promotion policy change opening up contest promos to be run in the news feed. In particular, this episode guides marketers on when to use a Timeline Contest and when to use a Tab Contest. Come away with an informed view on advantages of each and how they can both fit within a Facebook Sales Funnel strategy.

[powerpress]

Marketers have been chattering extensively about the recent change by Facebook to allow Pages to run contests on the Timeline. Page Admins now simply need to create a post on their page and push it out to run a contest!

With the new rules, businesses can launch a quick & simple Facebook contest using a normal News Feed post but they can't capture entrant key information such as email addresses.

So which contest should you choose?  Each can work, it depends on your goals!

A Timeline Contest is best if:

• If you want to launch right away (like today!)
• If you want fast engagement (like’s and comments on a post)
• If you have no budget at all

A Facebook timeline contest will give you fast engagement and can be deployed quickly.

• You want to grow Page likes.  (Offers Like Gate to ensure fans like the Page to access the contest)
• You want to capture lead information such as email addresses for future marketing
• You want more design control
• You want advanced features

A Facebook contest on a tab will give you greater control and better lead capture.

RESOURCES:

• Deeper Analysis of Advantages and Disadvantages of Each type (Timeline and Tab)
• Types of Timeline Contests to Run and Examples
• Tab Contests for Facebook
• TabSite’s Timeline Contest app
• TabSite’s Tab app Contest tools

What about you?  Thoughts or questions on which type of contest to use in your Facebook Marketing?  Let me know!