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How Long Should It Take to Set Up & Run a Mobile Sweepstakes?

Once you decide to run a mobile sweepstakes, you figure it should only take a day to get started, right? Well, yes and no. There are a few factors to consider when planning your sweep and deciding how long your it should run.

Here’s a quick guide to help you plan out your campaign.

Setting Up Your Mobile Sweepstakes

While you can reserve your Sweepkey and open an account in a few minutes, it usually takes 1-2 weeks for clients to set up and launch their sweepstakes. Keep in mind, this includes the time needed to create your official rules using the Sweeppea Official Rules Wizard, define your campaign parameters, customize your campaign entry form (if needed) and thank you page, and announce it on your promotional channels.

If you need to register/bond your sweep, print display materials or signage for stores, or set up ad campaigns, plan on at least a month for setup.

Running Your Mobile Sweepstakes

Depending on the environment (retail, online, etc.), mobile sweepstakes should run from 3 to 6 months. This gives you enough time to fully reach your audience.  Three months is a good time frame in most cases, but there are always exceptions for shorter event-based or longer (yearly) text-to-win sweepstakes.

If you’re trying to decide between a longer or a shorter sweep, opt for a longer one if it targets an older demographic or if you’re running a seasonal sweepstakes. If you’re offering an instant win prize that can be redeemed easily and doesn’t require much effort to deliver, then shorter is better.

Wrapping Up

Keep in mind, the campaign doesn’t end once you choose a winner. Depending on the prizes, you’ll need 1 to 2 weeks after the sweepstakes to wrap it up, contact and verify the winner, fulfill the prize and assess reports and results.

After the sweep is also a good time to think about what you’ll do with your mobile subscriber list. Sending offers and invites by text works well as a tactic to increase sales and turn participants into customers.

Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect, you can make sure you’ve covered all of the bases for a successful campaign.

To get started with your mobile sweepstakes, see our features and pricing.