Text-to-win sweepstakes are more than just a fun way to engage your audience—they’re a proven strategy for building your SMS list, driving real-time participation, and creating memorable brand moments. But launching a successful text-to-win campaign isn’t as simple as picking a prize and sending a message. From compliance requirements to crafting the right experience for your audience, there are important details that influence both immediate engagement and the long-term value.
What a Text-to-Win Sweepstakes Is (and Isn’t)
The defining characteristics of a “text-to-win” sweepstakes may seem obvious; it’s all in the name, right? However, it’s important to clarify its definition, as failure to understand the distinctions between sweepstakes, contests, and lotteries can ultimately lead to legal issues.
A text-to-win sweepstakes is a promotional campaign where participants enter for a chance to win a prize by texting a keyword to a designated number. Importantly, it differs from other SMS contests in that winners are selected at random, rather than based on skill, merit, or performance. This means that no purchase or special ability is required to enter or win—everyone who enters has an equal chance. It’s also the brand’s responsibility to ensure that the winner is selected in a truly random and unbiased manner. (Don’t worry—we’ll cover ways to do this later.)
Scenarios in Which Text-to-Win is a Strong Strategy
Live Performances
Imagine this—everyone is sitting around in anticipation for the entertainment to begin, whether that be a live concert or a stand-up comedy show. The master of ceremonies takes the stage! Before the opening act or headliner starts the show, the MC has an important announcement. Everyone there can use their phones one last time … in order to enter the text-to-win sweepstakes.
Why does this scenario lend itself so well to SMS contests? Not only does it capture the audience’s attention at a moment when excitement is high, but it also makes participation quick and easy. All the entries can be submitted at once, meaning that people can find out “if they won” by the end of the show rather than having to wait for delayed gratification.
Sporting Events
During halftime or a timeout, fans are looking for something to do. A text-to-win contest can turn a lull in the action into a high-energy moment. Announce the sweepstakes on the jumbotron, and watch as thousands of fans enter simultaneously—building your SMS list and amplifying the game-day experience.
Trade Shows and Expos
Booth visitors are often overwhelmed by options. A text-to-win contest offers a low-barrier way to engage, collect leads, and stand out from the crowd. Plus, you can follow up with personalized offers after the event.
Restaurant or QSR
If you run a restaurant, consider having your servers mention the chance to participate in a text-to-win sweepstakes as they drop off the check. Pair this with a small, well-designed tabletop sign that can initially pique their curiosity as they wait for their food. For quick-service restaurants (QSRs), place eye-catching signage with your text-to-win offer right where guests wait for their food—turning idle moments into opportunities for engagement.
Such scenarios are well-suited for SMS sweepstakes because, chances are, patrons already have their phone on hand as they wait. Essentially, you’re grabbing diner’s attention when they have nothing better to do, leading to the thought process of “well, why not? It’ll take 10 seconds.”
For additional strategies, read Fresh Marketing Tactics for Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) and Fast-Food.
You Have a Product or Service You Want to Promote
For many, the primary purpose of an SMS sweepstakes is to grow their subscriber list. However, it’s also a great tool for building buzz around a new offering. For example, let’s say you’re a greenhouse running a sweepstakes to win 10 pounds of your premium fertilizer made onsite. Not only are you giving your new product valuable extra promotion, but you’re also positioning it as a prize worth competing for—instantly elevating its perceived value in the eyes of your audience.
Setting Up Your Text-to-Win Sweepstakes
Choose an Appropriate Contest Prize
Define exactly what participants stand to win, making sure the prize is both relevant and genuinely exciting for your audience. As a general rule of thumb, make the prize proportionate to the objective participation-rate and promotional budget.
For example, consider an SMS sweepstakes held during a live performance. If the giveaway is limited to attendees in a smaller venue and winners are announced several times a week, a $50 gift card or a meet-and-greet with the star is an appealing and appropriate prize. On the other hand, if you’re running a single contest over an extended period, promoting it across multiple locations, and selecting winners less frequently, offering a more substantial prize will be necessary to generate the level of participation you’re aiming for.
Tracking participation in your text-to-win sweepstakes allows you to gather valuable insights about which rewards resonate most with your audience and to identify the point of diminishing returns. For instance, if you’re running an SMS sweepstakes during a live performance, you might discover that increasing the prize value from $50 to $70 results in a 20% boost in entries. However, raising the prize further from $70 to $100 may only yield a modest 5% increase in participation, especially if the $70.00 has already captured the majority of the audience.
A Simple Entry Mechanism
Make it as easy as possible for people to enter by selecting a memorable keyword and a straightforward shortcode or long code. For example, a prompt like “Text WIN to 12345” is clear, direct, and easy to recall, even after guests leave your location. Reducing friction in the entry process ensures higher participation rates and a more positive user experience.
Opt-In and Opt-Out Compliance
It’s essential to obtain explicit consent from every participant before sending any promotional SMS messages. This isn’t just about following the law—it’s about respecting your customers’ preferences and building a list of genuinely interested subscribers. Proper opt-in practices protect your brand’s reputation and ensure your SMS program remains compliant and effective.
Equally important is making it easy for participants to opt out at any time. Every promotional SMS you send should include clear instructions—such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”—so recipients can remove themselves from your list if they choose. Honoring opt-out requests promptly isn’t just a legal requirement; it also demonstrates respect for your audience’s preferences and helps maintain trust in your brand.
Sweepstakes Rules and Disclosures
Clearly outline all sweepstakes rules, including who is eligible to enter, when the entry period closes, and how winners will be chosen and notified. If you’re announcing the contest verbally at a live event, there’s no need for the announcer to recite every detail of the fine print. Instead, they should simply direct participants to where the full rules can be found—such as a URL displayed on a tableside placard, digital screen, or other promotional materials. This approach keeps the announcement concise while ensuring everyone has easy access to the complete information.
Implement a Random Number Selector Tool
There are many free or affordable tools available to randomly select a phone number from your entries. This step is crucial for ensuring your winner is chosen fairly and without bias, which is a legal requirement for sweepstakes. Relying on a reputable randomization tool not only demonstrates transparency but also helps you stay compliant with all relevant regulations.
Consider Your Promotional Strategy
People will only participate in your SMS sweepstakes if they’re made aware of it in the first place. With this in mind, choose a minimum of two different ways to promote the contest, such as:
- Announcement at an event
- Verbal notification by sales associates or wait staff
- Tableside placard
- Signage in high-traffic areas
- Digital menu board promotion
- Website banner
- Email announcement
- Branded social post
- Promotion by local microinfluencers
Post-Sweepstakes Text Flows
Announcing the winner isn’t the finish line—it’s the start of a new opportunity to build relationships. Begin by sending a thank-you message to everyone who participated. A simple note of appreciation goes a long way in making people feel valued and leaves a positive impression of your brand.
For those who didn’t win, consider offering a small consolation prize, like a discount or a free treat on their next visit. This not only softens the letdown but also gives them a reason to come back.
Winners should receive a clear, enthusiastic message with details on how to claim their prize. Personal touches—like using their name or referencing the event where they entered—make the experience even more memorable.
Finally, use the information you’ve gathered to segment your audience for future outreach. Tailor your next messages based on where and when people entered, so your follow-ups feel timely and relevant. For example, if someone entered the text-to-win sweepstakes during a professional networking event held at your bar, let them know when similar events are coming up—a great way to boost participation.
Maximize the Value of Text Sweepstakes With Voxie
SMS sweepstakes are a fantastic way to grow your subscriber list. But that’s not where the opportunities to reap the rewards ends. Tools like Voxie allow franchises to make the most of their initial text-to-win campaigns by:
Segmenting Participants Based on Context
Voxie automatically records how and when someone enters—whether it’s during a happy hour, a weekly brunch, or a specific conference—and groups them accordingly, so you can deliver future messages that are timely, relevant, and tailored to each audience’s experience. Similarly, if someone participates in a sweepstakes at a particular location, you can segment your audience by venue—an especially valuable approach for multi-location businesses looking to execute localized marketing strategies.
When you match the message to the moment, SMS stops feeling like marketing and starts feeling like a conversation. That’s how you drive results and build real customer loyalty.
— Maggie Hoel, Voxie Customer Success Manager
Actionable, Easy-to-Understand Analytics
Gain clear, in-depth insights into your SMS sweepstakes with intuitive analytics that make it simple to track SMS sweepstakes participation and gauge the quality of subscriber based on subsequent engagement. This helps you fine-tune your contest strategies, as well as determine the long-term ROI of such efforts. For a fuller view of all that can be measured within Voxie, read SMS Marketing Analytics to Quantify Campaign Results.
Triggering Drip Campaigns Capable of Multiple Branches
The text-to-win sweepstakes should serve as just the first step in a thoughtfully designed, multi-step SMS journey. With Voxie, you can create tailored drip campaigns that adapt to both group-level and individual behaviors, responding dynamically to how each participant interacts with your messages.
For instance, imagine offering every entrant a free drink as a consolation prize, redeemable on their next visit. If someone hasn’t clicked the redemption link after three weeks, Voxie can automatically trigger a friendly reminder to encourage them to claim their reward. On the other hand, if they’ve already redeemed the offer, no additional follow-up is needed—ensuring your outreach is always relevant and never redundant.
Automatic List Updates to Reinforce Accuracy and Compliance
If someone enters your sweepstakes and then unsubscribes after not winning, it’s crucial that your outreach lists update in real time to respect their preferences. Make sure your system automatically removes unsubscribed contacts right away, so no further messages are sent to them. This not only keeps you compliant, but also shows your audience that you value their choices and privacy.
To learn more about Voxie’s many platform capabilities that help elevate and scale franchise SMS efforts, schedule a demo.