Top Takeaways from 2011 Second Street Awards
Last week, we hosted our 3rd annual Second Street Awards where we showcased our partners’ best contests and deals run on our platforms over the past year. In addition to specific contest and deal categories (for example, Best Facebook Contest or Best Travel Deal), we also honored partners, according to market size, who hit it out of the park with UPICKEM and Deadline Deals. Below, you can find the Top Ten Takeaways from this presentation. If you missed the webinar, you can watch the recording or see a full list of finalists and winners in each category.
1. Sweepstakes are great email database builders. Social boost, a feature that rewards entrants for sharing the contest, is a must-do for UPICKEM sweepstakes contests.
2. Service deals allow you to explore different price points, as well as pushing into higher priced deals. Our three finalists’ prices ranged from $29 to $1,850. Auto detailing is a category that’s been successful in many markets.
3. Our Fantasy Auto Racing contest could be your highest revenue-producing sports contest in 2012. With a 37-week lineup, Fantasy Auto Racing is one contest that keeps your users coming back to your site week after week.
4. Retail deals shouldn’t be too specific. The key to a successful retail deal is that it is open to all products in the store – avoid limiting the deal to specific products.
5. Health and Beauty deals are one of our top categories. Since this category of deal is frequently running, it is important to know what the market value is for your deal. Keep an eye on the competition and be sure you’re pricing your deal competitively.
6. Facebook contests are skyrocketing. Facebook contests are an excellent way to build your brand’s likes. Use the audience you build on Facebook as a selling feature to have contests run exclusively on your advertisers’ pages.
7. Don’t forget about national chains for restaurant deals. National chains are approachable – don’t be afraid to secure them in your market. A convenient location is key. For most local media sites, family friendly environments are best. Find what aligns best for your audience.
8. Photo contests work. Photo contests are still our most popular and most versatile contest type – kids contests were the most popular category in 2011, dethroning pets contests from their long-standing reign!
9. Travel deals, when crafted right, can usher in lots of revenue. Think regional, drivable from your location; Always try to work with the property directly instead of a third-party.
10. Recreation deals are inherently social. Whether you’re going to a theme park or taking a ski trip, you are most likely going with friends and family. This social aspect of recreation deals means more people will purchase if the deal is good. Anything entertainment-based will excite your audience.
Are your takeaways for contesting and daily deals different? Leave us a note in the comments to share what you learned this year.
With summer on the horizon, deals for enjoying the warmer weather are heating up. Case in point: deals for Key Lime Cove waterpark made the top 10 list three times for two Shaw Media newspapers nearby the park, and golf deals were a big hit this month. Also, the Miami Herald did a fantastic job selling a higher priced travel deal from MK Travelplan. 
