Sweepstakes Administration
Sweepstakes administration services are becoming very commonplace in the business promotions industry. They can prevent you from the headaches and hours of added work associated with managing these promotions. Sweepstakes administration services usually include:
· Rules and regulations creation - they should take into account the state laws and international laws associated with your sweepstakes.
· Sweepstakes registration - some states and a few countries require your contest be registered and a sweepstakes administration service should be knowledgeable in this field.
· Prize bond acquisition - sweepstakes administration also handles bonding, a prize bond is an insurance policy that you, the business owner, will follow through with prize distribution.
· Review of advertising material for legal compliance.
· Manage all types of entry - beyond traditional opt-in entries, a reputable sweepstakes administration service should offer online options and other entry methods.
· Judging and drawing management - they are responsible for random number drawing.
· Eligibility verification - the administrator of your campaign should verify that winners were eligible to enter (age, location, etc.)
· Acquire affidavits and public relations releases from winners - sweepstakes administration services can also help you with this important marketing task; you won't be able to use the winners' names or photos for promotion if you don't obtain these.
· Prize fulfillment - that means making travel arrangements if that's part of your promotion, shipping of tangible items and delivering any cash prizes you've promised which can be managed through your sweepstakes administration service.
· Distribute tax forms like 1099s when required by law.
Some sweepstakes administration services also handle events planning like television commercials, printed media ads, grand opening parties, etc. They might decide a circus theme fits your business model and will arrange for clowns and a ringmaster to help out. Helping you find just the right promotion is one goal of the sweepstakes administration service.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing a sweepstakes promotion is the cost is controlled. The cost of the prizes is set from the beginning of the promotion. You won't have to worry about going over budget or offering rebates or discounts for months or years to come.
Another advantage of a sweepstakes administration service is that they can help you build your mailing list. Every entry that comes in is another potential customer and any reputable sweepstakes administration company will provide you with all entrants' information after the promotion has come to an end.
Unless you have time to learn all the nuances of sweepstakes administration, a service could be well worth their fees. You benefit from their knowledge, know-how and experience. You can concentrate on running your business effectively and prepare for all the customers that your sweepstakes will bring in, instead of focusing on the sweepstakes administration.