Facebook contests are arguably the best strategy for brands to acquire new fans, especially if the prize is a new, sought after product, if it is something that money can’t buy, or if it is of high value. Those who have entered the competition often have the opportunity to share their entry, perhaps a photograph submission, or the basic details of the contest with friends, for example ‘I’ve entered, why don’t you too’. Brands usually make it a requirement to be a fan of their Facebook page before being able to enter a contest, although there are instances where they have not, such as the Mustang example below; this enables companies to grow their fan base, sometimes very quickly, to encourage interaction and ultimately to acquire new customers and generate loyalty to the brand.

Here are details of three contests that have caught my eye recently; Sony Ericsson’s Xperia PLAY givaway, Levi’s search for the next Levi’s Girl and Ford’s win a Mustang for two-years.

Sony Ericsson
This contest is offering a number of fans the chance to be one of the first owners of the brand new, much talked about gaming mobile phone. It was launched on Sunday to coincide with the official announcement of Sony Ericsson’s newest Android cell phone, the Xperia™ PLAY. Rumors about this handset have been flying round the internet for months and as the first ever PlayStation™ certified device, Sony Ericsson has created a huge buzz in a revolutionary new market. To enter the competition, fans of Sony Ericsson’s Facebook page have to answer a question by 21 February and the winners will be notified the following week.

Levi’s
This is great example of a prize that money can’t buy, a public facing brand ambassador role. The most famous jeans brand in the world ran this contest in 2010 but has this year opened it up to residents in the UK. To win a six-months paid position at the Levi’s HQ in San Francisco as the official spokesperson, social media coordinator and community manager for Levi’s Women, entrants had to submit a 1-2 minute video of themselves explaining why they should be the face of the brand. The inspiring contest closed on February 6 but it’s not too late for Facebook users to get involved. Levi’s have selected five finalists and fans of the Levi’s Facebook page have until February 23 to vote for their favorite; the winner is to be announced on March 7.   

Ford
The prize for this competition is a high value prize, the lease on a 2012 Mustang for two years with the performance package bearing the winner’s suggestion. The Mustang was introduced to the market in 1965 and has since been an iconic sports car, symbolizing American power and attracting enthusiasts and motor racing fans alike. The competition closed in mid-December but Facebook fans were asked to submit their idea for the best name describing the Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package, which included features such as 19 inch wheels and upgrades to the breaking system. The gallery on the Mustang Facebook page displayed all suggestions and the community’s top five were entered into the final for Ford to choose the winner, which has not yet been announced.