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Top 6 Social Networks For An Awards Program

Those in charge of running awards programs know how important it is to engage with their audience. They are the people who send in submissions year after year, keeping your program going. You need to keep a relationship with them, but at the same time want to find more people to expand your audience, and in turn your awards program. Social media is an amazing way to reach out to a large amount of people. But with more and more social media websites coming out week after week, it can be tough for the head of a program to choose the social media sites worth their time. So we picked six social networks for an awards program to use for marketing and growing your following.

1. Facebook

The first and most obvious choice. Facebook is the largest social network out there with over one billion users. With this large user base, you have the ability to reach the most people at once with this social network. Give your Facebook page a purpose. Update regularly with useful content that gives users a reason to return to your page. Also, make sure you deliver value. People expect ongoing interaction when they “like” a page.

2. Tumblr

For those that don’t know, Tumblr is a social networking site that allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. It is extremely easy to share a wide array of content in forms that range from video, photos, to good ol’ fashioned text. Use Tumblr as an extension of your awards website to reinforce your program’s brand and add stylistic touches.

3. Twitter

Who knew you could say so much in less than 140 characters? Twitter allows users to send “tweets,” messages that can be no longer than 140 characters. With Twitter, you have the ability to connect personally with followers of your awards program. This allows your content to be easily spread by your followers. Just don’t forget about your other marketing responsibilities as Twitter can get addicting very quickly.

4. Instagram

Owned by Facebook, Instagram is becoming more and more popular everyday. Studies show that posts on Facebook and blogs get more attention when they are accompanied by illustrative photos. Instagram gives you the ability to easily change the colors in your photo to emphasize what you want with preloaded filters. Try to post at least one interesting photo from Instagram on one of your existing social networks each day.

5. LinkedIn

While certainly not as fun as the previous social networks, LinkedIn allows you to connect with over 200 million business professionals. It is easy to make connections with users, and exchange information and discuss areas of common interest. Use the “Answers” section to answer any question someone may have about your awards, or even the award industry in general.

6. YouTube

The king of video sharing, users can easily upload videos, where they can be viewed and shared by the hundreds of millions of people who use YouTube. Videos bring your awards to life, giving you the opportunity educate and inform in an entertaining way. Add a link to your awards website in the description of your video so users can easily access your site.

Timothy Spell

Timothy Spell co-founded OpenWater in 2007 with the goal of helping organizations tackle and better manage the oftentimes overlooked awards and contests industry. As an author and speaker in the awards industry, Timothy provides unique insight on how to use awards to boost membership, social media followers and search engine traffic.

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