Facebook Contest Guide - How to Choose Between Timeline and Tab Contests

There are now more Facebook Contest options since Facebook loosened up the promotion policy and allows contests on both the Timeline via a post, and via apps on tabs.

So how can you decide which to use?

Let me help!

The Quick Overview…..

The key is understanding how the contest fits into your larger marketing strategy. Any contest can help but we don't want to be about RAMs (random acts of marketing)! Make sure you have thought through with your team the overall strategy, and the end goals the contest should be focused on. Knowing those ends helps as your review the information below.

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.

A Tab Contest hosted 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.

Do you want to dive a bit deeper? 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!

As noted, there are advantages and disadvantages to each. The key is understanding your overall strategy and goals to help decide which one should be used, or if both should be used in collaboration!

Any questions or further thoughts?

For even more help, check-out our FREE eBook, “A Guide To Facebook Timeline Contests.”