Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

At a customer appreciation dinner that I hosted for my 50 best customers, I set up a fantasy golf league. I mixed golfers and non-golfers to form teams. These teams then "drafted" the pro golfers. Each month, I sent them a report on the team standings as a way of keeping my name in front of them. At the end of the seasons, I sent the top three teams prizes. My customers loved it.

I hate to rain on your parade, but you need to be really careful with the legalities around contests. If you do it on a website, find boiler plate legalese for contest rules. Also, you need to verify people's ages, make sure they're not in states where contests are illegal, and you need to post winners and their information. I'm sure there must be some sort of website out there with information to help you do this. But if you have a lawyer or even a service like Prepaid Legal, they might be able to help.

Also, if you do a contest locally and in person (like through your storefront) make sure you follow any local/state rules for contests. For example, some may be considered "gambling" and you need a license to do those type of games/contests.

I know, all you want to do is have fun and drum up business. But you don't want to get fined either from the authories, so get informed!

Hi Ron
What an innovative idea! Sounds like it worked a treat... nothing like mixing business with fun, and a good way to keep your name in front of your customers too.

Hi Anne-Marie
Thanks for this important reminder about knowing local, state and national regulations. Pre Planning is key.

What a great idea! I am sure many small business owners have not thought of contests as a marketing tool. I certainly had not and even with legalities, it does not take much to hold a contest, award a prize and reap the benefits of positive PR.

This is a tried and true way to build a buzz and get some press too. I have several clients who have used this with great success.

Just out of curiosity, what sorta contests have you come across?

Just out of curiosity, what sorta contests have you come across?

Its also important to have a means ready to advertise your contest. If you throw together a few thousand dollars worth of prizes and only get a dozen entrys your business is throwing away money.

Thanks for the tips but some of them like bogus or non-profitable.Anyway well try

Thanks for the suggestions but you know tips and suggestions always change with the situation other wise well try.

Some of these tips are might be valuable but mostly looks bogus but you should update it with new and upcoming techniques

Thanks for information. This is very useful for busniess man. they used these tips.

Thanks for tips but this is not useful for profit and always tips are change.

This is a great ideas and also nice blogs most of business man use these tips.

these tips are really worthy for the current market thanks for sharing it.

thanks for these tips. i like it very much its so useful for me.

these all tips are so useful. thanks for sharing this with us.

thanks alot for the tips...

What a great idea! I am sure many small business owners have not thought of contests as a marketing tool.

What a great idea! I am sure many small business owners have not thought of contests as a marketing tool.

What a great idea! I am sure many small business owners have not thought of contests as a marketing tool.

Yes Very Nice Idea and Lot of information here thanks for this.
This information is very helpful for businessman.