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How Contests Drive Growth

Dec 16, 2019 | Articles, Kim Marie's Blog

Contests have always been a part of the LeTip organization whether it be from corporate or a chapter contest. Why do we have contests? What is the value? How can it help chapters grow or increase tipping because that is what we want, right? We all want more members and more business!

Historically our contests provided an opportunity to reduce your renewal payment or earn cash. It was a nice way to promote LeTip itself while helping chapter members earn some cash as we always say “Dollars in your pocket!.” It is always about brand awareness. The more your brand is recognized the easier it is to get guests coming to your meeting and outside tipping becomes better because we have a trusted name in the referral industry.

Contests create a unique way to brand your chapter and LeTip corporate while engaging the audience without directly self promoting. It offers a fun way to engage with people with our LeTip brand. It really drives a lot of word of mouth advertising so our prospects and members promote the brand. This is especially important with social media since you can amplify and spread your message much more effectively when your audience is doing it with you.

As Paul Perry says, “Think of contests as a tool not only to engage your audience, but also to learn from and about them.” Check out this great blog from Submittable covering contests titled “Contest Marketing 101”.

In our fast paced world of digital marketing we seem to feel like it has become saturated with similar information in the same old way. Contests appear to be fresh ideas and are novel in nature as each one is different. If you are targeting your audience correctly you will appeal to those you are seeking. If you are looking for prospects an in chapter contest is so valuable as you define who you are looking for and need. Create the contest around the needs of the chapter and then be competitive individually or in teams. It becomes fun, entertaining and successful as prospects are turned into new members who enjoy the energy and friendships they see regardless of tips being passed around. They join because of how you make them feel!

Once you start having tipping contests make sure you are asking for Outside tips only! Give cash away. Money doesn’t talk it screams! People love to be around energized members and energized meetings. Start each meeting with music playing, it is the heart and soul to any meeting. It leaves a valuable impression. End each meeting with music also, you will notice people tend to stay longer and network more. Give testimonials for tips that are well done but only outside tips. Give great examples of tips that have been given. Do they fill the tip in with the “story” so it can pass around the room and create 5 to 7 more opportunities for outside business? If not then learn how to write the story. Have members who are not thriving take NTS training again or at least once if they never have. A plethora of ideas to help them tip, find prospects, write the story and more.

How about having a contest for the member who brings in the most outside tips? Give everyone an opportunity to create their own chapter roster and put only their name and information on it to call. I have examples I can send to anyone. It is a roster of your chapter without your name in it. Every member is on it giving only their first name and category. There is an intro and an ending. Each person hands it out daily to their clients, friends, family, etc. They can put it in an invoice, leave it on the counter of someone’s home, hand it to someone in person. Watch how many outside tips start to come in if everyone is handing out their own roster!

All in all, contests have proven through the years to energize and incentivize lots of people. It will work for you. Did you know LeTip International, Inc. is having a Winter contest right now? Click on our link and it will tell you all about it!

Good luck to you all. Each and everyone of you can be a WINNER!!

Warmest regards, Kim Marie

Kim Marie Branch-Pettid

Kim Marie is one of the leading women business owners in charge of an organization which includes more than 5200 members worldwide, now entering their 40th Anniversary Celebration. Her motivational speeches have been heard all across North America. With 28 years in the banking industry in all forms, including mergers and acquisitions, she has been and continues to be involved in fund raising for non-profit organizations, as well as a member of California Women for Agriculture, Sequoia Guild, member of Vistage Trusted Advisor Group and WPO-Women Presidents Organization, Phoenix, AZ. Also, she is a past board member of ASBA (Arizona Small Business Association). Her specialties include trainer, motivator, connector with years of experience in bringing businesses together for a ‘great fit’.