Category Archives: Facebook

Has Facebook failed marketers?

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A friend sent me an article on MarketWatch.com titled “Has Facebook failed marketers?”
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/has-facebook-failed-marketers-2013-10-28

I wrote a response in the comments section of that article and I have re-posted it here:

There are marketer’s who get the value of facebook and those who don’t.   From my perspective there’s just a lot of education needed to show marketers the value of facebook and how to take advantage of it.   And those who figure it out and stay ahead of the rest are the big winners in this game.

At the end of the day the key things you need to realize is that facebook has massive audience reach, incredible targeting capabilities, access to your social graph, and very high performing ad units (when done right).   Not to mention mobile, where usage continues to skyrocket.

You need to take the best parts of facebook and pair them with the best parts of your other marketing/advertising strategies.  When combined you will see fantastic results.

Want to see an example of a company I think all marketers should study closely in the social media space?  Check out these guys –> https://www.facebook.com/CountryOutfitter

Nick Taylor
Founder / Social Contests
http://www.social-contests.com

Use Our Free Facebook Ad Checker Tool for Facebook’s 20% Text Rule

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Facebook 20% Text Image CheckerFacebook contests/sweepstakes thrive off of advertising and promoting in order to reach the largest audience. Most Facebook ads come in the form of Sponsored Stories or Promoted Posts, those coincidentally relevant posts users see in their newsfeed. Now of course, there are rules to posting these types of ads on Facebook. Here’s a rundown of the most basic rules regarding Facebook Ads.

Click Here for The Facebook Promoted Posts 20% Image Checker Tool


Don’t Forget These General Rules for Facebook Ads:

  • Ads cannot explicit political or sexual issues or issues that people may be sensitive towards
  • Ads cannot be used to scare or shock audience
  • Ads cannot have imagery that are sexually explicit or show excessive skin/unnecessary body parts.
  • Ads cannot have imagery that show inactive video play back or exit buttons
  •  Ads cannot have QR codes or Facebook branded icons or logos without its permission
  • Ads must have appropriate imagery for ads targeted towards users below 18. 

The Facebook 20% Text Rule:

Above all these rules for Facebook ads lies the 20% text rule. In very general rules, any image used as a Facebook admay notcontain more than 20% text. However, it gets tricky when products are involved. For example, if a product normally includes text in the packaging, such as the Pepsi can below, then that text does not count toward the 20% rule. This also applies to a photographed background that originally has some sort of branding or logo on it, as the case with the Red Bull and Swatch ad below. Any other sort of text applies to the 20% rule, including text and logos that were not originally part of the photo. Take a look at some visuals below to clarify any confusions you may have!

Does’t Count toward 20% Rule

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Pepsi Logo does not count towards 20% Rule

 

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Swatch & Red Bull Logos do not count towards 20% Rule

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, how much is 20%?

The most commonly used method to check this rule is by dividing your image into grids and counting the number of grids are highlighted by text. If its more than 20% of the total number of grids, then Facebook will not approve your ad. Now, you’re probably thinking: Do I really have to divide me image up into grids? Luckily, our image checker tool does it right for you! All you have to do is click the number of boxes with text and our tool well tell you whether your ad falls within the 20% range. Here are some examples below: 

 

Screen Shot 2013-08-01 at 3.40.58 PM

Follows 20% Rule

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Does not Follow 20% Rule

        

       

 

 

 

Tips & Tricks:

  • The bigger the font size of your ad’s copy, the more it will take up 20%
  • Make copy font size small if you need to fit more words into your ad.
  • Using images with minimal text makes your ad more engaging for your audience. Insert copy that is necessary for your messaging/branding and avoid reckless word dumping.
  • Incorporating products/branding into images that show real life scenes/human interactions makes your ad more engaging and creatively doesn’t count towards the 20% rule.
  • Don’t forget to bookmark our image checker tool!

Don’t forget to comment!

We hope we answered all your “Facebook 20% Rule” questions. Let us know your thoughts on our post, image checker tool, and this rule. We’d love to hear from you.

-The Social Contests Team

4 Necessary Tools & Tips to Throw an Awesome Facebook Contest

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Having contests on Facebook lets you take advantage of many of Facebook’s features including social sharing and data analytics. Company’s have used Facebook contests to grow their fan base in short time spans and to provide engaging content to their current fan base. If your company decides to run a Facebook contest/sweepstake, here are some necessary tools and tips to transform your contest from a promotional tool to an awesome interactive experience.

Tip #1 Utilize Your Facebook Tabs

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Combined with Facebook advertising and sponsored posts that drive traffic to your page, Facebook tabs can dramatically increase your fan base throughout the duration of the contest. Tabs are one of the first visual impressions a person sees when they enter your brands page. They also show fans that your brand has greater value to offer other than status updates.

Why are Tabs awesome?

Tabs are one of the only items that are static on your page. They will always be seen and easily accessible compared to posts. Make sure your contest tab lures entrants in and captures more fans.

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Tip #2 Optimize your Facebook Contest for Mobile

This is a must-have feature if you want to reach the highest amount of contest impressions. Approximately 68% of all Facebook users have signed on via mobile. With mobile usage steadily rising, many websites have already redesigned their pages to be mobile friendly. Contest micro-pages should be no different. Mobile-friendly pages end those frustrating pinch and slide experiences involved in all pages which aren’t mobile optimized.

Why is mobile optimized awesome?

Mobile optimized means greater reach and higher conversion rates from contest entries to Facebook likes.

Tip #3  Excite Your Fans with a Relevant & Compelling Prize 

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No matter what your company’s prize budget may be, your sweepstake prize should always be relevant to your company and compelling enough to bring the most number of contest entries. Whether that be a vacation package for a travel company or a home coffee prize pack for a coffee maker company, make sure the value of your prize pack matches up with the amount of effort required to enter. Keep in mind also how your fans react to Facebook posts on current/new products as their level of excitement measured by the number of likes/shares can be used to determine your prize.

Why are compelling prize awesome?

Contest with compelling prizes give instant boosts of fan engagement on a company’s Facebook page.

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Tip #4 Drive Virality for Your Contest

An alternative to waiting around and spending dollars on Facebook advertising to promote your contest, including Social Sharing widgets to your contest can really reel in those extra fans and save your company a lot of money on promotion. Encouraging fans to share the contest through Facebook, Twitter, Email, or any other social media channel adds another level of reach for your contest.

Why is encouraging virality awesome?

Rewarding fans to share causes lightning fast signups and more positive associations with your brand.