These contest ideas and simple tips are a surefire way to find contesting success.
Certainly one of the biggest takeaways from the webinar is to seriously consider running at least one these top categories when building out your contest calendar for the year.
Watch a recording of the presentation and see even more top takeaways:
http://secondstreetlab.com/2012/06/10-key-takeaways-from-30-contest-ideas-in-30-minutes/
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30 Contest Ideas In 30 Minutes
1. #secondstreet
1 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
2. SPEAKERS
Matt Coen
Owner & Co-Founder
Paul West
Vice President of Customer Relations
#secondstreet
2 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
3. Q&A
Note: We are recording
this webinar and you will
receive an email with links
to the recording and the
slide deck.
GoToWebinar
Questions Panel
#secondstreet
3 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
5. 30 Fitness
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
New Year, New You • Gyms
• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • Diet programs
Biggest Loser • Salons
• Plastic surgeons
• KVOA-TV
• Personal trainers
Narrow it Down for Lighten Up Lenoir • Wellness centers
• New Bern Sun Journal • Doctors offices
Smart-Healthy Challenge Giveaway!
• York Daily Record
The Subway® Biggest Weight Loss Challenge
• WPXI-TV
#secondstreet
5 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
6. 30 Fitness
Star-Herald (Scottsbluff, NE)
2012 Get Fit Challenge
Sponsored by Regional West Medical Center, Torrington
Community Hospital, Box Butte General Hospital & more.
• 709 Registered Users
• Total Gross revenue $14,300
“We were very happy with the results.
This was our 2nd year of the contest and
we plan on doing this contest every year
until there are no overweight people left.”
- Willy Weibert, Sales Manager
#secondstreet
6 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
8. 29 Recipes
Time of the Year:
• May- Cinco de Mayo
• June/July- Picnic Recipes • November/December-Holiday Recipes
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
NAIA Cookie Challenge 2012 • Grocery Stores
• Sioux City Journal • Specialty Food Stores
Holiday Guide Recipe Contest • Bakeries
• Food Companies
• WEVV-TV
• Farmer’s Markets
King Scoopers 4th Annual Recipe Contest
• Restaurants
• The Colorado Springs Gazette
Reason for the Season Recipe Contest
• The Advocate
12 Days of Cookies Contest
• Omaha World-Herald
Kids Can Cook Too Contest
• Tribune Chronicle
#secondstreet
8 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
9. 29 Recipes
WNYT-TV (Albany, NY)
NYS Apple Growers Recipe Showdown
Sponsored by New York State Apple Growers
• 54 Registered Users
• 3,374 Votes
• Revenue $5,000
• 25,520 Page Views
“This contest was custom-designed to suit a
client's specific needs. We built an exclusive
sponsorship and partnered with them by providing
the prize. Both the client and the station were
pleased with the results.”
- Lori Collado, Digital Media Specialist
#secondstreet
9 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
11. 28 Essay
Time of the Year:
• The Holidays • Graduation
• Disease Awareness • National Holidays
Months
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Toro Winter Essay Contest • Grocery Stores
• WFRV-TV • Travel Agencies
Florida Dental Something To Smile About • Healthcare Centers
• WFTV-TV • Clothing Stores
• Super Market
My Favorite Loretta Lynn Song
• Banks
• Aiken Standard
• Local Universities
The Closer to My Dreams Sweet Sixteen Send Off
• WKYS-FM
What Christmas Means to Me
• Leader-Telegram
Show Me Your Heart Poetry Contest
• Nextstar Broadcasting
#secondstreet
11 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
12. 28 Essay
KOMO-TV (Seattle, WA)
West Side Story, Share Your Love Story
• 383 Registered Users
• 1,025 Votes
• 23,162 Page Views
#secondstreet
12 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
13. 27 MEMORABLE
MOMENTS
#secondstreet
13 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
14. 27 Memorable Moments
Time of the Year:
• Year Round- Holidays or Summer Vacations
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Totally 80’s Photo Contest • Amusement Park
• WPHL-TV • Sports Team
I Love the 80’s • Stage Shows
• Savannah Morning News • Sports Stores
• Hotels
Meal & Memories: Best of 2011
• Travel Agency
Photo Contest • Airline
• Newberry Observer • Photography Studio
Miss Marcia… Your Favorite Memories • Fair
• WTVC-TV • Bakery
100 Years if Chevrolet • Museum
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch • Mall
Restaurants of Yesteryear
• Daily Inter Lake
#secondstreet
14 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
15. 27 Memorable Moments
KATU-TV (Portland, OR)
Disneyland Making Memories Contest
Sponsored by Disney
• 940 Registered Users
• 17, 729 Page Views
"The Disneyland Resort Giveaway was
sponsored by Disney and promoted in
newscasts, on our website, snipes during TV
programing, Facebook and Twitter.”
-Jennifer Shrum, Interactive News Producer
#secondstreet
15 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
17. 26 Prom
Time of the Year:
• Spring
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Prom Queen • Tuxedo Rentals
• WPRO-FM • Dress Shops
Prom Photo Contest • Florists
• Event Venues
• Kinston Free Press
• Limousines
Pittsburgh’s Best Prom Dress Contest • Restaurants
• WPXI-TV • DJ’s
Prom King & Queen • Photographers
• Times-News • Salons/Spas
Prom Contest 2011
• The Gazette-Washington Post
Hot Prom Takeover!
• WHAT-FM
#secondstreet
17 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
18. 26 Prom
Truro Daily News (Truro, Nova Scotia)
Favourite Prom Photo Contest
Sponsored by Inglis Jewellers
• 930 Registered Users
• 2,261 Votes
• Revenue $1,000
• 166,326 Page Views
“We ran banner ads in the paper driving
entrants & voters to our website- daily for three
weeks. For this particular package the sponsor
supplied $1,000.00 in prizes.”
- Kevin Bent, Web Editor
#secondstreet
18 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
19. 25 WEATHER/
TEMPERATURE
#secondstreet
19 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
20. 25 Weather/Temperature
Time of the Year:
• Fall- Foliage Contest • Spring- Wildflowers Contest
• Winter- Winter Wonderland • Summer- Blue Sky Contest
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Beat The Heat Photo Contest • Camera Stores
• KDAF-TV • Photo Printing Centers
A Taste of Summer Contest • Photography Studios
• Credit Unions
• WBBO-FM
• Banks
Spring Snapshots Photo Contest • Outdoor Supply Stores
• Fort Worth Star-Telegram • Theme Parks
Beauty of a Carolinas Spring 2012 • Travel Agencies
• Charlotte Observer
Best Snowman Photo Contest
• The News Tribune/The Olympian
Weather Photos
• WXYZ-TV
#secondstreet
20 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
21. 25 Weather/Temperature
Our State (Greensboro, NC)
2011 Fall Photo Contest
Sponsored by Mountain Community Travel Office
• 1,924 Submissions
• 1,117 Registered Users
• Revenue $2,500
• 193,883 Page Views
“The sponsorship package included the contest, its
presence on our website, a few call outs on our
Facebook page, inclusion in our regular monthly
newsletter, as well as as a standalone promotional
email, and a mention in a print ad for „what's online‟
with our magazine that month.”
- Laurie Weaver, Online Media Manager
#secondstreet
21 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
23. 24 Fishing/Hunting
Time of the Year:
• Hunting Season- varies by state
• Summer- great for fishing contests
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Hunting Photo Contest • Gun Shops
• West Central Tribune • Boat Stores
Eagle Post Fishing Photo Contest • Fishing Supplies
• Taxidermy/Deer Processors
• The Eagle Post
• Sporting Goods Stores
Fresh Catch Contest • Outdoor Supply Stores
• Union Leader Corporation
2011 Gary the Turkey
• Norfolk Daily News
Best Buck or Doe
• The Advocate
2011 Virtual Buck Pole
• WILX-TV
#secondstreet
23 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
24. 24 Fishing/Hunting
New Bern Sun Journal (New Bern, NC)
Gone Fishing
Sponsored by Sportsman’s Toy Store
• 4,864 Votes
• 30,235 Page Views
“These contests are a great way to drive traffic to
your website and expose more non-subscribers to
your product... I'm definitely seeing where
Facebook is helping spread the word in regards to
entries and voting.”
- Judy Avery, VP of Marketing
#secondstreet
24 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
26. 23 Brackets
Time of the Year:
• Year Round – March Madness Popular
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Battle of the Bands Bracket Contest • Restaurants
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch • Event Venues
Moe’s Bracket Challenge • Sporting Goods Stores
• WRAL Sports • Athletic Teams
• Apparel Shops
More Burger Wars
• KVVU-TV
Best Pizza Playoff Contest
• The Hour
The Onion Beer Bracket
• The Advocate
#secondstreet
26 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
27. 23 Brackets
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, TX)
DFW.com Battle of Burgers 2011
• 2,342 Registered Users
• Revenue $6,000
• 80,620 Page Views
"There were no official sponsors, but we did generate
additional ad sales (about $6,000) from local and
participating burger joints in the contest. Some of
those ad sales turned into long-term contracts.”
- Wendy Stane, Promotions, Events, Social Media
#secondstreet
27 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
29. 22 Drawing/Art
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Specific Holidays
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Lego Building Contest • Family Restaurants
• Lakeland Ledger • Hospitals
2012 Insight Amateur Photo Contest • Grocery Stores
• Art Supply Stores
• Norfolk Daily News
• Performing Arts Schools
September 2011 SnapShots Contest • Theatre Troops
• New Mexico Marketplace
White Box Challenge
• WAVY/WVBT-TV
Design Challenge
• KATU-TV
#secondstreet
29 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
30. 22 Drawing/Art
OrangeCounty.Com (Irvine, CA)
Spring Cover Shot Surf Photo Contest
Sponsored by La Casa Del Camino, Dan Taylor Surfboards
• 1,140 Registered Users
• 113,815 Votes
• Revenue $5,000
• 228,153 Page Views
"This was a fun contest for us. Revenue was
$5,000 with online exposure, banner ads, etc.
They also received banners run of site.”
- Kris Heineman, Senior Manager
#secondstreet
30 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
32. 21 Wedding
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Typical Wedding Season is Spring
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Ultimate Wedding • Wedding Venues
• Lincoln Journal Star • Florist
The Royal Wedding of Her Dreams • Grocery Stores
• WMMJ – FM • Tuxedo Rentals
Wedding Photo Contest • Dress Shops
• Limousines
• Savannah Morning News
• DJs
Wedding Exhibit Hot Fiancé Contest • Restaurants
• WAPE-FM • Salons/Spa’s
Wedding Outtakes Contest
• Marin Magazine
Let INC Marry You!
• WISE-TV
#secondstreet
32 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
33. 21 Wedding
WCVQ-FM (Clarksville, TN)
Q Wedding Giveaway 2012
Sponsored by Clarksvillebrides.com and others
• 5,378 Registered Users
• 22,366 Votes
• Revenue $7,615
• 406,806 Page Views
“We had 16 sponsors and were very
happy with participation from both
contestants and sponsors. We plan to do it
again next year.”
- Scott Chase, Operations Manager
#secondstreet
33 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
35. 20 Makeover
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Landscaping: Warmer Months
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Green & Gold Man Cave • Remodelers
• WKLH-FM • Landscaping
Hitson Cabinet’s Kitchen Makeover • Flooring Stores
• WTVC-TV • Appliance Stores
Grants Ugliest & Oldest Kitchen Photo Contest • Carpet Stores
• Chicago Sun-Times • Lawn and Garden
I Need A New Roof! • Department Stores
• WFTV-TV • Cosmetic Surgeons
• Make Up Stores
Grimiest Grill Contest
• Salons
• WSAW-TV
• Tanning Salons
Makeover Contest 2011 • Home Storage
• Gaston Gazette • Credit Unions
• Painters
#secondstreet
35 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
36. 20 Makeover
The Pitch and Her Kansas City (Kansas City, MO)
Make Me Over
Sponsored by KOSAMA, Lady Bird, Alignment is Life, In the Pink, Sazzy’s,
Trinity Limo & Ben Palmer Photo
• 939 Registered Users
• 10,343 Votes
• 74,481 Page Views
“The makeover contest grew our Facebook fans by
about 400 likes. We gained clients by selling through
to our publication and websites. And we had an
overall glowing response from all who participated.”
- Dawn Jordan, Advertising Director
#secondstreet
36 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
41. 18 Nature
Time of the Year:
• Fall – Foliage Contest • Spring – Wildflowers Contest
• Winter – Winter Wonderland • Summer – Blue Sky Contest
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Wildflower Photo Contest - 2012 • Camera Stores
• The Orange County Register • Photo Printing Centers
Your Turn • Photography Studios
• Appeal Democrat • Credit Unions
Gorgeous Gardens • Banks
• KBJR-TV • Travel Agencies
• Theme Parks
Oregon Outdoors Wild Bird Photo Contest
• Outdoor Supply Stores
• Southern Oregon Media Group
Wisconsin Trails 2012 Photo Contest
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
#secondstreet
41 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
42. 18 Nature
Washington County Enterprise (Blair, NE)
Enterprise 2011 Photo Contest
• 6,326 Votes
• 26,823 Page Views
"We did this purely for our readers. We were
thrilled at the participation of the community on
this one. We do this contest every year as more
of a PR move.”
- Ali Zicheck, Digital Media Coordinator/
Advertising Associate
#secondstreet
42 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
44. 17 Creative
Time of the Year:
• Year Round – Summer seems most successful season
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Short Film Contest – BT Winnipeg • Electronic Stores
• Breakfast Television • Cosmetic Surgeons
2012 Cruisin’ Downriver Calendar Contest • Concert Venues
• Michigan Central • Carpet Stores
2012 Bacon Queen Contest • Lawn and Garden
• Department Stores
• Des Moines Register
• Restaurants
Big Ken & Colleen’s Corny Photos Contest
• Make Up Stores
• Des Moines Radio Group
• Salons
Why do you love News 1130 • Tanning Salons
• CKWX-AM • Home Storage
• Credit Unions
• Painters
#secondstreet
44 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
45. 17 Creative
KBFB - FM (Dallas, TX)
Rihanna Red Head Hair Contest
• 2,295 Registered Users
• 8,769 Votes
“This contest generated 1,082 Facebook likes
and was a very successful campaign. We'd like
to pursue a hair product advertiser to sponsor
the contest next time.”
- Dan Shelley, General Manager
#secondstreet
45 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
46. 16 BIG GIVEAWAY
#secondstreet
46 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
47. 16 Big Giveaway
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Chevy Cruze • Airlines
• KTLA – TV • Restaurants
Marling HomeWorks Ugliest Kitchen • Hotels
Makeover Contest • Jewelry Stores
• WISC-TV • Car Dealerships
Dream Wedding 2012 • Motorcycle Shops
• WNDU – TV • Bed & Breakfasts
• Sports Venues
Aloha Fridays – Win a Ka’anapali
• Concert Venues
Vacation!
• Furniture Stores
• KOMO – TV
• Wedding Venues
The Master of All Garage Giveaway!
• CITI-FM
#secondstreet
47 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
48. 16 Big Giveaway
Newsday (Suffolk, NY)
Sands Wedding Giveaway
Sponsored by The Sands, Geo Events, Flowers by Topaz, Our Prints
Charming, DejaVu Studios, Sugar Dinning Den
• 3,297 Registered Users
• 18,780 Votes
• Revenue $25,000
• 214,790 Page Views
"All contestants were invited to a cocktail
function at the Sands Hotel, where the
winners were selected and announced -spot
prizes and surprises were also presented.”
- Diane Aiken- Miller, Interactive Display
Sales Coordinator
#secondstreet
48 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
49. 15 SCHOOL SPIRIT/
BIGGEST FAN
#secondstreet
49 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
50. 15 School Spirit/Biggest Fan
Time of the Year: • May/June – Prom and Graduation
• August – Back to School • Any Sports Season
• October - Homecoming • Most Popular – Football and baseball
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
LMFAO Suite • Sporting Good Stores
• Edmonton Sun • Sports Venues
First National Bank “School Spirit” • Local Sports Teams
• Local Breweries
Video Contest
• Restaurants
• North Platte Telegraph
• Outdoor Outfitters
NKOTBSB Contest • Sports Bars
• WPMT-TV • Gyms
School of the Year • Memorabilia Stores
• KidsLinked.com • Colleges
Time Warner Cable Fan Frenzy Contest • Health Food Stores
• WRAL Sports • Recreational Clubs
• Clothing Stores
• Restaurants
• Shopping centers
• Florists
• Tuxedo Rental
#secondstreet
50 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
51. 15 School Spirit/Biggest Fan
U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA)
Bolt Fever – Photo Contest
• 717 Registered Users
• 85,225 Votes
• 199,687 Page Views
"For this contest we ran promos on our
homepage and in our sports sections. The
promos ran on the Sports pages on
Sundays, which is our biggest print circulation
day.”
- Tom Mallory, Homepage Editor
#secondstreet
51 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
52. 14 MOTHER’S DAY/
FATHER’S DAY
#secondstreet
52 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
53. 14 Mother’s Day/Father’s Day
Time of the Year: • May/June – Prom and Graduation
• August – Back to School • Any Sports Season
• October - Homecoming • Most Popular – Football and baseball
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Mommy & Me • Salons & Spa’s
• WLMG – FM • Golf Courses
Fathers Day Photo Contest 2011 • Restaurants
• Kearney Hub • Sporting Good Stores
• Boutiques
Mother Daughter Lookalike Contest
• Jewelry Stores
• WKOL-FM
• Home & Garden
FM99 Rockstar Mom Contest • Florists
• WNOR-FM • Tanning Stores
Father & Child Photo Contest • Nail Salons
• Jacksonville Daily News • Bed & Breakfasts
• Movie Theaters
• Sports Venues
• Concert Venues
#secondstreet
53 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
54. 14 Mothers Day/Fathers Day
WKRG-TV (Mobile, AL)
Mother’s Day Photo Contest 2012
Sponsored by Calagaz Photo and Video
• 4,072 Registered Users
• 8,769 Votes
#secondstreet
54 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
56. 13 Goodwill
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Eco Ambassadors • Charities
• KFMB – TV • Landscaping
WQSB / Pepsi Field of Dreams • Flooring Stores
• Appliance Stores
• WQSB-FM
• Carpet Stores
Praise 103.9’s Pastor of the Month • Lawn and Garden
• WPPZ – FM • Department Stores
Lend A Helping Glove • Cosmetic Surgeons
• Indianapolis Indians • Make Up Stores
Pose for the Cure • Salons
• KBXX – FM • Tanning Salons
• Home Storage
• Credit unions
• Painters
#secondstreet
56 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
57. 13 Goodwill
WCTV–TV (Fuquay Varina, NC)
WCTV’s Teacher of the Month!
Sponsored by Super-Lube, Auto Super-Service
Center, Envision Credit Union
• 468 Registered Users
• 9,734 Votes
• Revenue $36,000
• 74,565 Page Views
"We put our heads together and created a
sponsorship package for the contest consisting of
a Title Sponsorship, with several Secondary
Sponsorships available. Super Lube committed to
becoming the Title Sponsor for the school
season, Sept. – May. Each sponsor committed for
the 9 month school term investment.”
- Holly Spires, Digital Sales Manager
#secondstreet
57 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
59. 12 Cars/Motorcycles
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Transform your Toyota • Insurance Agents
• Statesboro Herald • Auto – Body Shops
ADAMM Classic Car Contest • Car Stereo Shops
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel • Window Tinting Services
E2Xtreme Car Design Contest • Car Dealers
• Boy Scouts of America • Car Clubs
• Speed Shops
Ugliest Car Contest
• Auto Specialty Shops
• The News
• Garage Flooring
Chevrolet 100th Anniversary photo Contest • Tire Stores
• State Journal – Register • Speedway/Racetrack
#secondstreet
59 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
60. 12 Cars/Motorcycles
KY3-TV (Springfield, MO)
Enter To Win $1000 From Youngblood Auto
Sponsored by Youngblood Auto
• 3,620 Votes
• Revenue $8,000
• 15,626 Page Views
"The contest added 400 new likes to their
Facebook page, increased engagement and
sharing of the Youngblood Page. Plus, the
advertiser was extremely happy and has already
booked two more contests.”
- Brandon Welch, Internet Marketing Consultant
#secondstreet
60 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
62. 11 Best Of
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Typically Annual
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Best of Gaston 2012 • Restaurants
• Gaston Gazette • Car Services
Kindest O.C. Owner 2011 • Handyman
• The Orange County Register • Accountant
Diamond Awards 2011 • Local Event
• MPLS St. Paul Magazine • Nursery
• Carpet Store
Best of 2012
• Grocery Store
• Times of Northwest Indiana
• Car Dealer
Best of the Best 2011 • Dentist
• Chattanooga Times Free Press • Kennel
• Real Estate Broker
• Doctor
• Bank
• Movie Theater
#secondstreet
62 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
63. 11 Best Of
Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, NE)
Lincoln’s Choice - Voting
• 7,148 Registered Users
• 233,529 Votes
• 193,600 Page Views
#secondstreet
63 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
65. 10 Holiday
Time of the Year:
• Any Holiday Season
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Scared of Santa Photo Contest • Department Stores
• U-T San Diego • Arts & Crafts Stores
Holiday Lights Contest • Kids Clothing Stores
• Real Estate Agents
• WAVY/WVBT-TV
• Restaurants
It’s a Wonderful Wreath • Nurseries
• New Bern Sun Journal • Party Supply
B Christmas Choir Competition • Packaging & Shipping
• Emmis Indianapolis • Card Stores
Santa and Me • Photo Printers
• The Orange County Register • Movie Theaters
• Sports Venues
• Concert Venues
#secondstreet
65 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
66. 10 Holiday
Shelbyville Times – Gazette (Shelbyville, TN)
Scared of Santa
Sponsored by Lowery Jewelers
• 728 Registered Users
• 27,231 Votes
• 133,127 Page Views
"The trade sponsor had their name on
the contest header and house promo
ads. They also had house ads on
website.”
- Stevie Longwith, Online Advertising
#secondstreet
66 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
67. 9 BEAUTY
#secondstreet
67 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
68. 9 Beauty
Time of the Year:
• Hot Body – Summer
• Beauty – Year Round
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Rock Girl Search 2011 • Hair Salons
• WHQG-FM • Nail Salons
• Tanning Salons
Hot Beach Bodies
• Clothing Stores
• WWKX-FM
• Fashion boutiques
Hottest Mom Contest • Gym/Fitness Centers
• WKLH-FM • Restaurants
PLAZER’s 2011 $40,000 Rock Girl Search
• KAZR-FM
Pinkalicious Diva for a Day
• KidsLinked.com
#secondstreet
68 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
69. 9 Beauty
Winnipeg Sun (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Be the Next SUNshine Girl
• 547 Registered Users
• Revenue $22,000
• 233,986 Page Views
"We sold a special print section-this
promo generated more than $22,000
for us.”
- Kevin Klein, Publisher & CEO
#secondstreet
69 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
70. 8 ADVERTISERS
#secondstreet
70 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
71. 8 Advertisers
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
Contest Examples:
Disneyland Resort Sweepstakes
• KDAF – TV
Clover Billboard Contest
• KZST – FM
March Baldness
• KZEP-FM
Find Scotty at Seabreeze
• WROC-TV
Washington Trust – ILUVRI Photo
Contest
• Rhode Island Monthly
#secondstreet
71 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
72. 8 Advertisers
WDBJ - TV (Roanoke, VA)
Name the Baby Red Panda
Sponsored by Boxley Materials Company
• 840 Registered Users
• 533 Votes
• Revenue $3,000+
• 26,296 Page Views
“Don‟t forget deals! We decided to partner this
contest with a deal as a way to drive foot traffic to
the zoo while there was such an excitement
around the panda. The voting ended at midnight
and the next morning our deal was for a Family
Fun Pack to Mill Mountain Zoo.
- Carissa Divant, Account Executive
#secondstreet
72 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
73. 7 HALLOWEEN
#secondstreet
73 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
74. 7 Halloween
Time of the Year:
• Halloween – October 31st
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
3rd Annual Cutest Trick’r Treater • Costume Stores
• Statesboro Herald • Grocery Stores
Little Rock Mamas Halloween Contest • Candy Stores
• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • Florists
Halloween Pet Photo Contest • Kids Museum
• WPXI – TV • Pet Stores
Halloween Costume Photo Contest • Candy Brand
• Haunted Houses
• KFDM-TV
FetchToto Halloween Costume Contest
• KWCH-TV
#secondstreet
74 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
75. 7 Halloween
Lubbock Avalanche Journal (Lubbock, TX)
Cutest Trick’r Treater Photo Contest
Sponsored by Spirit Halloween Superstores & The Maze
• 9,317 Votes
• Revenue $2,500+
• 19,716 Page Views
“We were very pleased with the amount of
page views our site received as a result. We
plan to do this again in the future with more
sponsors and additional opportunities to win.”
- Craig Martin, Digital Media Sales Director
#secondstreet
75 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
76. 6 TALENT
#secondstreet
76 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
77. 6 Talent
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Bragging Rights Have No Season
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
The Tiny Tim Talent Search • Craft Stores
• KTAR-FM • Music Supply Stores
My Kid Can Sing Contest • Talent Agency
• Savannah Morning News • Dance Studio
Be Amy For a Day • Voice Trainer
• KHFI – FM • Recording Studio
• Art Gallery
RockErie Music Awards 2011
• Camera Store
• Erie Times-News
• Community Colleges
• Pottery Studio
#secondstreet
77 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
78. 6 Talent
WPRO-FM (Riverside, RI)
Dance With Britney
Sponsored by Wendy’s and Jive
• 164,132 Votes
• 137,843 Page Views
• 952 Registered Users
• Page Views 128,421
#secondstreet
78 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
79. 5 COUPLES
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79 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
80. 5 Couples
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Holiday Specific – Valentine’s Day (February 14th)
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Cutest Couple Photo Contest • Jewelry Stores
• York News-Times • Hair Salon
How We Met • Hotel
• The Day • Travel Agency
• Candy Store
Cutest Couple 2012
• Florist
• Kenosha News
• Spa
Cutest Couple Photo Contest • Mall
• WGN-TV • Restaurant
Bacardi Oakheart Sweetheart • Furniture Store
• The Reader • Photographer
• Winery
• Movie Theater
• Live Theater
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80 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
81. 5 Couples
WLMG – FM (New Orleans, LA)
Cutest Couples Photo Contest
Sponsored by Cirque Du Soleil, Ralph’s on the Park, Fischer’s
Jewelry, Gigi’s Cupcakes
• 170,239 Votes
• Revenue $8,000
• 123,180 Page Views
"This was the first time we‟ve done this contest and
we weren‟t sure how it would go, but we received
more than 200 entries – which was great! Overall
though, we got an additional 100,000 page views and
that was a great result!”
- Annette Basile, Digital Content Manager
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81 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
82. 4 PETS
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82 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
83. 4 Pets
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Seasonal Opportunities Like Snow Dogs & Pet Halloween
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Dog Days Of Summer Pets Contest • Pet Stores
• York News-Times • Grooming Salons
Cutest Canine Photo Contest • Vet Clinics
• Local Humane Society
• Sarasota Herald Tribune
• Dog Walkers
Cutest Canine Contest • Pet Boutiques
• Newsday • Breeders
2012 Pet Calendar Voting • Doggie Daycare
• The Citizen‟s Voice • Pet Boarding Facilities
Cutest Pet Photo Contest • Dog Trainers
• Tribune Chronicle • Obedience Schools
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83 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
84. 4 Pets
WEZB – FM (New Orleans, LA)
My Pet Rox the Black & Gold
Sponsored by Toyota of Slidell, Lakeside-Pets.com, Camp Bow
Wow
• 612,550 Votes
• Revenue $8,000
• 430,402 Page Views
“This was the first year we did a contest like
this, but felt it worked out really well. It gave us a
chance to hit a listener “hot-button” (their
pets), gave us a way talk about our NFL team
without saying their name and we felt the voting
results were great!”
- Annette Basile, Digital Content Manager
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84 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
85. 3 SPORTS
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85 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
86. 3 Local Sports
Time of the Year:
• Fall - Football
• Spring/Summer – Baseball • Winter - Basketball
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Athlete of the Year-Fan Favorite • Restaurants
• The Orange County Register • Convenience Stores
Gridiron Invasion Voting • Fast Food Chains
• KKBQ-FM • Sporting Good Stores
2011 High School Football Awards • Memorabilia Stores
• WTOV – TV • Car Dealers
Female Athlete of the Year 2011 • Insurance
• Citrus County Chronicle • Banks
Big Game TV Giveaway
• Las Vegas Review Journal
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86 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
87. 3 Local Sports
Arkansas Democrat – Gazette (Little Rock, AR)
Best High School Mascot
• 864 Registered Users
• 180,039 Votes
• 175,086 Page Views
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87 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
88. 2 SWEEPSTAKES
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88 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
89. 2 Sweepstakes
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Often Run Daily
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Badge Magic Stick With Us! Giveaway • Lottery
• Boys Life Magazine • Grocery Store
Yacht Getaway • Convenience Store
• KTLA – TV • Concert Venue
Win a New Backyard Contest • Appliance Stores
• The News-Herald • Electronics Stores
Aaron Rodgers Autographed Helmet Giveaway
• WLUK – TV
Win a $1,000 gas card from Clark Howard
• WSB – AM
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89 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
90. 2 Sweepstakes
KDAF – TV (Dallas, TX)
Great Grill Giveaway
• 375 Registered Users
• 78,100 Votes
• 71,431 Page Views
"This contest was fun because you never knew
what was coming next in the photos - it absolutely
wasn't going to be one cute kid after another. I
think our audience had a lot of fun looking and
laughing at how creative/redneck some people get
with a backyard BBQ.”
- Jennifer Shrum, Interactive News Producer
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90 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
91. 1 KIDS/BABIES
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91 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
92. 1 Kids/Babies
Time of the Year:
• Year Round
• Holiday Opportunities – Such as Easter and Halloween
Contest Examples: Sponsor Ideas:
Baby Bash 2012 • Children’s Clothing Stores
• WEZB – FM • Specialty Baby Shops
Cute Kids Football Fan Contest • Photography Studios
• Tribune Chronicle • Kids Restaurants
• Daycare Centers
Cutest Kid Photo Contest
• Nanny Recruitment Offices
• Aiken Standard
• Babysitters
Insanely Cute Preschooler 2011
• The Orange County Register
Baby Idol 4
• WPRO – FM
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92 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
93. 1 Kids/Babies
Herald News (Fall River, MA)
Cutest Baby Contest
• 5,730 Registered Users
• 243,770 Votes
• Revenue $300,000 company wide
"We generated a 20% increase in monthly page
views across our network and our advertisers
were very pleased with the traffic."
- Rebecca Capparelli, Director of Sales Training
and Development
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93 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
94. Bonus Ideas
Contest Examples:
• Tattoos
• Lookalikes
• Big Local Outdoor Event
• Award Shows
• Code Word
• Bartender
• Graduation
• Lifestyle
• Patriotic
• Girlfriends
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94 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012
95. SPEAKERS
Matt Coen
Owner & Co-Founder
@mcoen
matt@secondstreet.com
Paul West
Vice President of Customer Relations
paul@secondstreet.com
314-884-7984
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95 Second Street Lab 30 Contest Ideas in 30 Minutes 2012