How to Get More Votes: Contest Winning Strategy

Social & Organic Strategies:

• •✅ Sharing on social media
• •✅ Asking friends and family to vote
• •✅ Posting in community groups (with permission)
• •✅ Email to contacts
• •✅ Wearing contest gear/buttons
• •✅ Word of mouth promotion
• •✅ Creating engaging share content

Optional Paid Strategy:

• •✅ Paid vote packages
• •✅ Limited-time paid vote package offers
• •✅ Strategic budget planning for key contest moments

Why Multiple Strategies Work:

• •Different approaches for different budgets
• •Combine organic and premium for best results
• •Flexibility in your contest approach
• •Build engagement across multiple channels
• •Maximize your chances of winning

Facebook Strategy:

Initial Post (Day 1):

• •High-quality photo from contest
• •Enthusiastic caption
• •Direct voting link
• •Tag close friends/family
• •Ask for support

Example Post:

"🎉 Exciting news! Emma is entered in this month's Baby Photo Contest! We'd love your vote ❤️ Takes 10 seconds, just click and vote: [LINK]

Thank you SO much for your support! 📸✨"

Mid-Contest Update (Week 2-3):

• •Share current standing
• •Different photo or behind-the-scenes
• •"We're in 8th place! So close to top 5!"
• •Link to vote again

Final Push (Last 2-3 Days):

• •"Voting closes in 48 hours!"
• •Current place/status
• •"Every vote counts!"
• •Final call to action
• •Thank everyone

Facebook Groups:

• •Join local parenting groups
• •Read group rules first
• •Ask admin if contest posts allowed
• •Participate regularly (not just when you need votes)
• •Support other group members' contests too
• •"Contest Friday" posts if allowed

Instagram Strategy:

Story Posts (24-Hour):

• •Daily reminder in stories
• •Swipe-up link (if available)
• •Link sticker
• •Countdown sticker to deadline
• •"Vote for Emma!" sticker

Feed Post:

• •Beautiful contest photo
• •Engaging caption
• •Link in bio
• •Relevant hashtags (10-15)
• •Geotag your location

Hashtag Strategy:

Use mix of popular and specific:

• •#babycontest #babyphotocontest
• •#contestentry #voteme
• •#[YourCityName]baby
• •#[BabyName]
• •#monthlybabycontest
• •#babyofthemonth

Twitter/X:

• •Share voting link
• •Use #babyphotocontest
• •Tag friends
• •Retweet with reminder
• •Keep it short and sweet

TikTok (If You Use It):

• •Behind-the-scenes of photoshoot
• •"Help us win!" content
• •Link in bio
• •Parent community hashtags

Text Message Template:

"Hi [Name]! 👋 Quick favor - Emma is in a baby photo contest and I'd love your vote! Takes 10 seconds, just click this link: [LINK] and hit vote. Thank you so much! 💕"

Why This Works:

• •Personal and direct
• •Easy ask (10 seconds)
• •Clear link
• •Grateful tone
• •Not pushy

Email Template:

Subject: Quick favor? Vote for Emma! 🍼

"Hi friends and family!

I'm excited to share that Emma is entered in this month's Baby Photo Contest! The prize is a cash award and voting is completely FREE.

Would you take 10 seconds to vote? Just click here: [LINK]

Thank you SO much for your support! It means the world to us.

With gratitude,

[Your Name]

P.S. Feel free to forward to anyone who loves babies!"

Who to Ask:

Inner Circle (Will Definitely Vote):

• •Immediate family
• •Close friends
• •Grandparents (they'll tell EVERYONE!)
• •Your siblings
• •Best friends

Extended Network (Good Chance):

• •Coworkers
• •Neighbors
• •Church/community members
• •College friends
• •Former coworkers
• •Social media friends

Broader Reach (Lower Success Rate but Try):

• •Alumni groups
• •Professional networks
• •Interest-based groups
• •Online communities

Timing:

• •Ask inner circle immediately
• •Extended network days 2-3
• •Broader reach mid-contest
• •Remind all groups near end

What Gets People to Vote:

1. Personal Connection:

• •"Help our little one win!"
• •Share baby's story briefly
• •Make it personal, not just transactional

2. Make It EASY:

• •Direct clickable link
• •One-click voting (no signup required)
• •Mobile-friendly
• •Clear instructions

3. Show Gratitude:

• •Thank people immediately
• •Public appreciation
• •"We couldn't do this without you"
• •Makes people feel good

4. Create Share-Worthy Content:

Behind-the-Scenes:

• •Photo shoot prep
• •Outtakes (funny fails)
• •"Reality vs. Instagram"
• •Humanizes the ask

Progress Updates:

• •"We moved up to 7th place thanks to you!"
• •Milestone celebrations
• •"100 votes! Thank you!"
• •Shows momentum

Countdown Content:

• •"3 days left!"
• •"Last chance to vote!"
• •Creates urgency
• •Motivates action

5. Reciprocate:

• •Vote for others' contests
• •Support friend's causes
• •Be part of community
• •What goes around comes around

Content Ideas That Drive Votes:

Day 1: Announcement post with best photo

Day 3: Behind-the-scenes from shoot

Day 7: "We're in top 15! Let's make top 10!"

Day 14: Mid-month reminder with different photo angle

Day 21: "One week left! We're so close!"

Day 28: "Final 48 hours! Every vote counts!"

After: Thank you post regardless of outcome

Common Mistakes That Reduce Effectiveness:

1. Oversharing/Spamming:

• •Posting 5x per day
• •Mass messaging people
• •Commenting on unrelated posts
• •Result: People get annoyed, won't vote

2. Being Pushy or Desperate:

• •"We NEED to win!"
• •Guilt-tripping people
• •Aggressive begging
• •Result: Turns people off

3. Negative Campaigning:

• •Criticizing other entries
• •"My baby is cuter than..."
• •Sore loser behavior
• •Result: Bad reputation, reduced support

4. Poor Timing:

• •Entering late in the month
• •Not planning promotion schedule
• •Missing peak engagement times
• •Result: Missed opportunities

5. Making It About Money:

• •"We need the prize money for..."
• •Sob story approach
• •Financial desperation focus
• •Result: Less effective than positive messaging

6. Not Following Up:

• •Ask for vote then disappear
• •Don't thank people
• •Only contact when you need something
• •Result: One-time votes, no loyal supporters

Better Approach:

• •Share 3-4 times MAX during contest month
• •Friendly, grateful tone always
• •Focus on fun and celebration
• •Support others too
• •Thank people genuinely
• •Win or lose graciously

For Regular Contest Participants:

Create Your Voting Base:

• •Enter consistently every month
• •Build name recognition
• •People look forward to your entries
• •Loyal supporters develop

Support Others:

• •Vote for other babies
• •Comment positively
• •Share others' entries
• •Build reciprocal community
• •Karma is real in contests

Engage with Community:

• •Join contest Facebook groups
• •Follow other entrants
• •Congratulate winners
• •Be active participant
• •Not just when you need votes

Build Your Brand:

• •Consistent quality photos
• •Recognizable style
• •People remember you
• •"Oh, that's [Baby Name]!"
• •Fans develop over time

Monthly Improvement:

• •Each entry better than last
• •Learn from past contests
• •Improve photography skills
• •Study what works
• •Evolve and grow

Long Game Thinking:

• •Treat it like marathon, not sprint
• •Build relationships
• •Enjoy the journey
• •Win some, lose some
• •Keep improving