Trying to promote a retail store on social media? The process can be tricky. But luckily, there are some promotions and contests that can make it a bit easier to get the word out about your retail business.
The National Retail Federation hosts one such contest. The organization hosted its 2016 “This is Retail” promotion at its Retail’s BIG Show 2016 in New York City earlier this month. During that time, attendees of the event had the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, along with an Instagram mention, just by posting photos to the photo sharing app.
To enter, participants just needed to be 18 years or older, attend the event, follow the NRF’s @this_is_retail Instagram account and post a photo from the event on Instagram between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST during the event dates using the hashtag #thisisretail.
Then each day, the NRF selected a winner and announced it on Instagram. Winners also received a variety of different prizes, including American Express gift cards, a Bluetooth speaker, tote bag, backpack and more.
The NRF launched its “This is Retail” campaign back in 2013 as a way to promote the retail industry. The NRF said of the promotion on its website:
“NRF’s This is Retail campaign brings together industry advocates from established and emerging retail brands to share their career, community or innovation stories in the public arena, challenging many of the misperceptions that exist about the retail industry and its employees. This national effort and its tagline have become a platform for retail employees across the nation and the cornerstone of NRF’s advocacy efforts. These personal stories reach a wide audience and are consistently covered by national, state and local media across the country.”
Aside from the official event contest on Instagram, retail business owners and team members can also use the hashtag on both Instagram and Twitter throughout the rest of the year as a way of connecting with others in the retail industry.
In addition, the @this_is_retail Instagram account regularly posts images of retail stores and workers to highlight the professionals who make the retail industry great. If you’re trying to promote a retail business on social media, you can create posts using the hashtag and check out others who have posted with the tag as well.
You can also keep an eye on the NRF’s event schedule for news about 2017’s BIG Show, where you may be able to enter the official Instagram contest again next year.
Images: National Retail Federation/Instagram
Aira Bongco
I have always been a fan of Instagram. I love how people are able to relay stories through their pictures. I did not understand it before but now I can see the magic. And now I am learning a bit more about those hashtags. I guess it is more for searching for those images that you are interested in.
Annie Pilon
For sure – it can be a great source for finding content and influencers in tons of industries.