Run a Successful Virtual Contest with a QR Code Raffle

Want the secret to run a successful virtual contest? A QR code raffle is an all-around tool that can engage your audience, boost brand awareness, and grow your online presence.

Contests have always been one of the most effective marketing strategies that brands use. They are proven to generate sales, increase your engagements with user-generated content, and build a fan following in the long run.

As more brands adopt a more tech-savvy approach to their marketing strategies, contests are now mostly held online, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. 

If you’re a marketing professional planning to host a virtual contest for your brand, consider using QR codes. They are versatile, convenient, and easy to use; plus, most people are now familiar with how to scan them.

Get to know more about using QR codes for raffles, giveaways, and virtual contests using Free QR Code Generator.

How do I create a virtual raffle: Host successful online raffle contests with QR codes

They’re programmable with a lot of advanced features and integration with marketing tools, such as Canva, Zapier, and Hubspot.

These versatile, comprehensive, and functional features are exactly what you need to host a successful virtual contest. But how exactly?

Here’s how brands can use these pixelated squares for their virtual contests:

Create a QR code raffle app to host your virtual contest

Scanning the QR code should lead participants to a website or custom landing page where they can fill out their important details like name, email, and address. 

That’s why the first step is to create a website where you can host your raffle. A foolproof option would be Google Forms, but you’re free to manually create a raffle form and code it to embed on your website. You can also use a third-party raffle app.

Important details you can’t miss out on the form include:

• Basic details like name, email, and address
• Terms and conditions of the raffle
• Raffle details, such as entry rules, prizes, and date of the draw

Create a QR code for the raffle URL with Free QR Code Generator

Once you’ve set up your raffle, the next thing to do is to integrate it with a QR code. The great thing is that you can create these two-dimensional barcodes for free; no need for a subscription fee to get started. Here’s how:

1. Open Free QR Code Generator on your browser.

2. Select a QR code URL solution for the link of your online. 

3. Enter the information to embed in the blank field.

4. Select between ‘Static’ and ‘Dynamic’ QR codes.

Pro tip: Dynamic QR codes offer more advanced features, such as editing and tracking of your scan data through in-platform analytics. It is highly recommended when launching a virtual raffle or online contest.

5. Customize your QR code based on your branding guidelines for colors, frames, and logos. Make sure your QR is distinguishable. 

Compel people to scan by adding a 60-character call to action, such as “scan QR code to enter contest” or “scan QR code to join.”

6. Do a test scan to see if the QR code is readable in different angles and lighting.

7. Once all the details are confirmed to be correct, hit the ‘Download’ button for either PNG or SVG.

Pro tip: SVG offers higher print-quality resolution compared to PNG. SVG is scalable for print without losing quality.

Integrate the QR code raffle into your promotional materials

The better its visibility, the more people are able to participate in your raffle. The more people participate, the better benefits you get in your virtual contest.

Some opportunities to integrate these QR codes include:

• Print materials, such as flyers and brochures QR code, and on event tickets
• Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and Tiktok
• Email via your mailing list
• Event displays during activations and event launches
• Company website

Promote your ongoing raffle across various channels

Launch QR code raffle campaigns using these channels to capture all your audience:

• Social media campaigns – Create engaging posts, including your QR code that contains all your raffle details.
• Email marketing campaigns – Send newsletters attached with a QR code to your subscribers and emailing list
• Influencer collaborations – Partner with influencers in your industry to reach a wider audience, especially younger demographics.

Raffles are also an effective way to raise money for charitable causes. A QR code for fundraising can work hand in hand during raffle activities, pulling in more attention.

Monitor the performance of your QR code virtual raffle campaign

During the run of the QR code campaign for your virtual raffle, make sure to monitor its performance closely. 

This way, you can easily organize the data and manage the entries into a spreadsheet or a QR code raffle app.

The great thing is that using an advanced raffle QR code generator gives you features for monitoring the performance of your campaigns. 

In the QR software’s dashboard, where dynamic QR codes are integrated into Google Analytics, you can track the following: 

• Total number of scans
• Location and time of the scans
• Devices used to scan
• Demographics of scanners
• User engagements

With real-time tracking, you can closely monitor the performance of your virtual campaign and re-strategize accordingly based on the results.

Conduct a QR code lucky draw for the winner

Once the raffle duration has elapsed and you have finished finalizing the tally of all entries, it’s time to draw the winner. Make sure you use a randomizer to make it fair for all the contest participants.

Another way to do it is to export the spreadsheet containing all the entries. You can then randomize a number, and the number that corresponds to the entry wins the prize or giveaway for the raffle contest.

Whatever method you choose, make sure you document every step of the way. What’s more, you can even have a validator with you to ensure you’re practicing fairness when conducting a draw for the winner.

Contact the winner of the virtual contest

Before announcing the winner of your virtual contest in your physical and digital materials, contact the winner first. 

You can send an email naming them as the winner and a QR code call to action that says “scan the QR code to claim your prize” to know if they want to claim the prize. 

At the same time, inform them via text or call, just in case the email went to spam.

Once the QR code is scanned, the details they provided upon joining the contest must match the details they’ll provide as a winner. 

After verifying everything, guide them on how they can claim their prize.

Announce the winner on all your channels

Once you have determined the winner, it’s time to announce the winner of the QR code lucky draw on all your channels, including social media, email, or during a live event.

Along with announcing the winner, make sure to thank all the participants of your virtual contest. Make them feel appreciated to ensure their re-engagement once you host another raffle event  or online contest.

Benefits of using a QR code raffle for your virtual contest

Now that you know the step-by-step process of how you can host a successful virtual contest using QR codes, the next question to solve is, why use QR codes? 

What are the advantages of using these 2D barcodes compared to other tools and what QR code best practices to consider? Learn more about the benefits of using QR codes for your raffle contest.

Convenient for both the brand and participants

QR codes eliminate the need for physical tickets. Brands don’t need to manually tally all participant data as they are electronically saved in the database once done filling out the form.

An e-ticket QR code also reduces the risks of errors due to manual tallies.

On the other hand, participants don’t need to manually write their data on a piece of paper. By simply scanning the QR code raffle, they can enter their details, which have become especially easy with features like autofill.

Easier and quicker data collection

That’s where Free QR Code Generator comes in. It offers bulk QR code features that streamline the management of your data and track them in real time.  More so, you can also use the Google Form QR code to distribute forms more conveniently, without printing.

Do note, however, that taking advantage of this feature may require you to pay a monthly subscription fee.

Enhance experiences with user-generated content

User-generated content is in the nature of QR codes. It simply means the users, or in this case, raffle participants, are part of the overall campaign experience.

For this example, they become a part of it by scanning the codes and filling out the forms.

Aside from engaging people with your content, using this strategy can help you build a following in the long run. 

Having a fan base is crucial as this ensures you have people who are willing to participate if you ever plan to launch another virtual contest in the future.

Embrace the power of QR codes in your virtual contest

A QR code raffle, giveaways, and virtual contests can indeed unlock many possibilities for your brand. If you’re not yet on this trend, hop on now!

By following this comprehensive guide, you can successfully host virtual contests with QR codes, reap the benefits of better sales, increase brand awareness, and drive audience engagement.

Get started for free with Free QR Code Generator. Learn more about them today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to create a QR code for raffle?

To create a QR code for a raffle program, you need an advanced QR code generator. Once you’re on the website, you only really need to follow five steps:

1. Open a dependable QR code generator online. 
2. Select a QR code solution that fits your specific needs.
3. Embed the information in the QR code.
4. Customize the QR code (optional).
5. Download the QR code in your desired format.

What apps can I use for a raffle?

Along with the QR code generator, there’s a slew of apps you can use to manage your raffle entries. You can use a spreadsheet, Google Forms, project management tools, and other third-party apps to help you.