Social Media Competitions

The Social Media Competition Landscape

Social media competitions now represent the majority of UK prize giveaways. Understanding each platform's unique characteristics is essential for maximising your wins.

Instagram Competitions

The Instagram Ecosystem

Instagram is currently the most popular platform for brand giveaways, offering:

• High engagement rates
• Visual-focused content
• Stories for temporary promotions
• Reels for creative competitions
• Influencer collaborations

Common Instagram Entry Requirements

Basic entries:

• Follow the account
• Like the post
• Tag friend(s) in comments
• (Sometimes) Share to Stories

Advanced entries:

• Comment answering a question
• Create content with specific hashtag
• Participate in challenges
• Submit photos/videos

Instagram Strategy Essentials

Account optimisation:

• Use a clear profile photo
• Write a genuine bio
• Keep account PUBLIC
• Post some personal content
• Have a mix of followers and following

Entry best practices:

• Follow BEFORE engaging (some brands check order)
• Like immediately after following
• Tag REAL friends (fake tag accounts get ignored)
• Write genuine comments when required
• Share to Stories if it counts for extra entries

Tagging Strategy

Many competitions require tagging friends. Best approaches:

Finding tag partners:

• Ask in comping Facebook groups
• Connect with other compers on Instagram
• Find friends interested in the prize

Tag etiquette:

• Rotate between different friends
• Ask permission first
• Don't tag the same person repeatedly
• Tag people genuinely interested when possible

Warning: Creating fake accounts for tagging violates rules and can get your main account banned.

Instagram Stories Competitions

Stories-based competitions offer advantages:

• 24-hour visibility creates urgency
• Fewer people notice them
• Often require sharing (filters out many entrants)
• Can include interactive elements

Tips for Stories competitions:

• Enable notifications for favourite brands
• Check Stories before main feed
• Screenshot confirmation of your entry
• Share to close friends if public sharing feels awkward

Instagram Reels Competitions

Video competitions on Reels have LOW entries because:

• They require more effort
• Many people are camera-shy
• Video editing takes time

Your advantage:

• Effort filters out 90%+ of competition
• You don't need professional quality
• Authenticity beats production value
• Algorithm may boost your content

Creating winning Reels:

• Use trending audio when relevant
• Keep within time requirements
• Focus on the brand/theme
• Be genuine and enthusiastic
• Simple editing is fine

Red Flags on Instagram

Watch for fake competitions:

• Brand new accounts with major giveaways
• No previous winner announcements
• Disabled comments
• No terms and conditions
• "DM us to claim" without verification

Twitter/X Competitions

Twitter/X Competition Culture

Twitter has a long history of competitions, offering:

• Fast entry process
• High visibility through retweets
• Easy to find via search
• Real-time engagement

Common Twitter Entry Requirements

Standard entries:

• Follow the account
• Retweet the post
• Sometimes reply with hashtag/answer

Enhanced entries:

• Quote tweet with comment
• Post original content with hashtag
• Multi-step engagement

Twitter Strategy Essentials

Account considerations:

• Keep account public
• Use recognisable profile photo
• Have some genuine tweets/activity
• Don't make your feed 100% competition retweets
• Bio doesn't need to mention comping

Entry best practices:

• Follow account before retweeting
• Include ALL required hashtags exactly
• Reply as specified (don't over-complicate)
• Don't delete retweets until winner announced
• Screenshot confirmation for proof

Retweet vs Quote Tweet

Retweet:

• Simple one-click action
• Clearly shows the original post
• Most commonly required
• Higher entry volumes

Quote Tweet:

• Adds your commentary
• More engagement with brand
• May or may not count (check rules)
• Shows more effort

Always check if quote tweets are accepted - some competitions specify "RT only."

Twitter Search Strategy

Find competitions using:

Search operators:

• "win" "UK only" - UK-specific giveaways
• "RT to win" - Retweet competitions
• "giveaway" "ends" - Time-limited giveaways
• #win #competition - Common hashtags

Advanced finding:

• Follow competition aggregator accounts
• Set up saved searches
• Enable notifications for favourite brands
• Check trending hashtags

Twitter Account Health

Brands may check accounts before awarding prizes:

• Avoid being 100% retweets
• Some personal posts help
• Engagement beyond competitions looks authentic
• Don't follow/unfollow rapidly

Facebook Competitions

Facebook's Unique Position

Facebook offers competition types not found elsewhere:

• Page-based competitions
• Group-exclusive giveaways
• Event competitions
• Messenger-based entries

Common Facebook Entry Requirements

Page competitions:

• Like/follow the page
• Comment on the post
• Tag friends
• Share (sometimes optional)

Group competitions:

• Join the group
• Engage with posts
• Follow group rules
• Participate in activities

Facebook Strategy Essentials

Profile considerations:

• Profile should look "real"
• Privacy settings allow some public visibility
• Share settings appropriate for competition entry
• Join relevant groups

Entry best practices:

• Like the PAGE not just the post
• Comment meaningfully when asked
• Check if shares need to be public
• Verify entry with return visit

Facebook Groups for Compers

Groups enhance your comping through:

Competition sharing:

• Members share finds
• Tag partners available
• Exclusive group giveaways
• Community support

Popular UK comping groups:

• Lucky Learners
• UK Freebie & Competition hunters
• Various regional groups

Group etiquette:

• Read and follow rules
• Don't spam
• Share genuinely useful finds
• Help newer members

Facebook Live Competitions

Some brands run competitions during live streams:

• Often require watching and commenting
• Much lower entry numbers
• May include instant wins during broadcast
• Create urgency and engagement

TikTok Competitions

The TikTok Opportunity

TikTok represents the biggest opportunity for strategic compers:

• Video requirement filters out most entrants
• Growing platform = brands experimenting
• Creative focus rewards effort
• Younger demographic means less comper saturation

Common TikTok Entry Requirements

Simple entries:

• Follow the account
• Like the post
• Comment as required

Creative entries:

• Create video using branded hashtag
• Duet with brand content
• Stitch and add commentary
• Participate in challenges

TikTok Strategy Essentials

Account setup:

• Public account essential
• Some content history helps
• Profile photo and bio completed
• No need to be an influencer

Video competition approach:

• Check if there's a sound to use
• Follow any hashtag requirements
• Personality beats production
• Keep within time limits
• Embrace TikTok's informal style

Creating Competition TikToks

You don't need to be a content creator. Simple approaches:

For product-related competitions:

• Film yourself with the product
• Explain why you want to win
• Use the required sound/hashtag
• Keep it under 60 seconds

For creative challenges:

• Study other entries for inspiration
• Put YOUR spin on the theme
• Don't copy others directly
• Have fun with it

Technical basics:

• Good lighting (face a window)
• Clear audio (quiet space)
• Steady camera (use a stand)
• Simple editing in app

TikTok Advantage Analysis

Cross-Platform Strategies

Multi-Platform Competitions

Many brands run competitions across platforms simultaneously:

• Enter on ALL platforms for multiple chances
• Check if combined or separate draws
• Different effort levels may be required per platform
• Terms may vary by platform

Managing Multiple Accounts

Organising your social presence:

• Same username across platforms (when possible)
• Saved login credentials (password manager)
• Notification settings optimised
• Quick switching between apps

Engagement Beyond Competitions

Brands notice consistent engagers:

• Like and comment on regular posts
• Share brand content occasionally
• Respond to Stories
• Genuine interaction builds recognition

Social Media Competition Best Practices

The Authenticity Balance

DO maintain:

• Some personal posts
• Genuine engagements with content
• Mix of competition and regular activity
• Real relationships with brands

DON'T become:

• 100% competition content
• Robotic in your entries
• Obvious about only wanting prizes
• Suspicious-looking to brands

Timing Your Entries

Best times to enter:

• Soon after posting (algorithms favour early engagement)
• During off-peak hours (less competition)
• Weekday mornings and evenings
• Final hours of competition (risky but sometimes effective)

Entry Speed vs Quality

Quick entries:

• Suitable for simple follow/like/retweet
• Maximise volume
• Good for high-prize-volume competitions

Quality entries:

• Creative competitions need thought
• Comments should be genuine
• Content requires planning
• Better for judged competitions

Handling Wins on Social Media

When you win:

• Respond promptly to notifications
• Follow any claiming instructions
• Thank the brand publicly
• Share genuine excitement
• Don't immediately unfollow

Platform-Specific Tools and Tips

Useful Apps and Features

Instagram:

• Story notifications for brands
• Saved collections for competitions
• Quick replies for common comments

Twitter:

• Saved searches for competition finding
• Lists for brand monitoring
• Tweet scheduling for quotes

Facebook:

• Page notifications
• Group joining
• Event reminders

TikTok:

• Favourited sounds
• Following notifications
• Draft saving for videos

Automation Warning

Do NOT use:

• Auto-follow/like bots
• Comment bots
• Fake engagement tools
• Multiple fake accounts

These violate platform terms and competition rules. Consequences include:

• Account suspension/ban
• Competition disqualification
• Blacklisting by brands
• Loss of legitimate wins

Troubleshooting Social Media Entries

Common Issues

"I entered but wasn't counted"

• Verify you followed ALL steps in order
• Check entry was public (not private/restricted)
• Confirm required hashtags were exact
• Ensure comment wasn't filtered as spam

"I won but can't be contacted"

• Enable DMs from everyone
• Check message requests (not just inbox)
• Monitor email linked to account
• Keep account public until prize claimed

"My competition comments keep getting deleted"

• Some accounts auto-filter certain words
• Avoid emojis that trigger spam filters
• Try simpler, shorter comments
• Contact brand directly if persistent

Building Long-Term Social Success

Relationship Building

Brands remember positive engagers:

• Regular genuine interaction
• Thoughtful feedback when asked
• Sharing positive experiences
• Being a good winner (not demanding)

Growing Your Presence

A larger, genuine following can help:

• Brands may check follower counts
• Influencer collaborations become possible
• User-generated content opportunities
• Community standing improves

The Social Media Comper's Mindset

Success comes from:

• Treating it as engagement, not just extraction
• Being a positive community member
• Balancing volume with authenticity
• Enjoying the platforms beyond prizes

Remember: Social media is designed for connection. Competitions are a fun part of the ecosystem, but genuine engagement makes for both better experiences and better results.