How Custom Contests Help Businesses Increase Engagement and Generate Leads

February 18, 2026

Getting your brand in front of the right audience does not have to be complicated. Custom contests offer a simple, effective way to attract attention, engage customers, and grow your business. 

At Shaw Media Marketing, custom contests are designed to help local businesses increase brand awareness, build meaningful connections, and generate high-quality leads. When executed strategically, these campaigns become more than giveaways. They become powerful marketing tools that deliver measurable results. 

Why Custom Contests are an Effective Marketing Strategy 

Custom contests work because they invite participation. Instead of passively viewing an advertisement, customers actively engage with your brand by entering, sharing, and interacting with your promotion. 

A well-planned contest can help businesses: 

  • Increase brand visibility and recognition 
  • Generate qualified email leads 
  • Drive website traffic and social engagement 
  • Promote seasonal campaigns or special events 
  • Strengthen community awareness and loyalty 

By pairing the right prize with the right audience, businesses can turn a simple giveaway into a high-performing marketing campaign. 

Real Results from 2025 Custom Contests 

Shaw Media Marketing has helped local businesses across Northern Illinois achieve impressive results through targeted giveaways. Below are a few standout examples from 2025. 

Great Grocery Giveaway
Sponsor: Berkot’s Super Foods
Prize: One $500 gift card and five $100 gift cards
Entries: 861
New Opt-ins: 522 

This giveaway generated strong engagement by offering a prize with universal appeal. Grocery gift cards consistently perform well because they meet everyday needs while driving brand awareness. 

Great Franksgiving Giveaway
Sponsor: Frank’s Appliance Center & Sleepsource
Prize: Maytag Freezer
Entries: 307
New Opt-ins: 122 

This seasonal contest aligned perfectly with the holidays, helping the sponsor stay top of mind during a key shopping period. 

Season Pass Giveaway
Sponsor: McHenry Outdoor Theater
Prize: Season pass
Entries: 1,491
Opt-ins: 912 

Experience-based prizes often see the highest engagement. This giveaway delivered exceptional results by promoting entertainment, community involvement, and repeat visits. 

Summer Pool Pass Giveaway
Sponsor: Woodstock Water Works
Prize: Individual season pool pass
Entries: 367
Opt-ins: 169 

Seasonal promotions like this are ideal for increasing visibility while reaching families and local residents planning summer activities. 

Paramount Arts Aurora Ticket Giveaway
Sponsor: Paramount Theatre
Prize: Four tickets to a Broadway show
Entries: 421
Opt-ins: 207 

This contest paired arts and entertainment with digital marketing, resulting in strong engagement and high-quality leads. 

Why Custom Contests Work for Local Businesses 

What makes these promotions successful is their strategic design. Each contest includes: 

  • A clearly defined audience 
  • A compelling prize aligned with the brand 
  • Simple entry forms that encourage participation 
  • Built-in lead capture for email marketing 
  • Promotion across Shaw Media’s digital platforms 

Custom contests are especially effective for small and mid-sized businesses looking to increase visibility without the cost of traditional advertising. 

What to Expect When You Run a Custom Contest with Shaw Media Marketing 

Working with Shaw Media Marketing means more than launching a giveaway. It means partnering with a team that understands how to turn promotions into measurable marketing tools. 

Each contest is built with purpose, beginning with your business goals and ending with actionable results. From early planning to post-campaign insights, every step is designed to maximize engagement and long-term value. 

When you run a custom contest, you can expect: 

  • Thoughtful campaign planning aligned with your audience 
  • Professionally branded contest pages that are easy to enter 
  • Strategic digital promotion across Shaw Media platforms 
  • Lead collection and performance tracking 
  • Post-campaign insights to guide future marketing efforts 

This approach ensures your contest does more than attract entries. It helps build brand recognition, grow your customer database, and support long-term success. 

Start Your Own Custom Contest with Shaw Media Marketing 

If your business is looking to grow its audience, increase engagement, and generate new leads, a custom contest may be the perfect solution. Shaw Media Marketing handles everything from concept development to promotion and reporting, making the process simple and effective. 

Custom contests are more than giveaways. They are a proven digital marketing strategy that helps businesses connect with customers, grow brand awareness, and drive measurable results. 

Want to see results like these for your business? 

Contact Shaw Media Marketing to design a custom contest that captures attention and drives real engagement. 

Shaw Media Marketing
7717 S Illinois Rte 31
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(630) 845-5253
www.shawmediamarketing.com