30 Facebook timeline contest ideas that drive likes and comments

Nathan Latka is CEO and Founder of Heyo, a drag and drop tool for creating Facebook apps that are mobile optimized. 

On August 26th, Facebook updated its promotions guidelines to allow brands to run Facebook contests on their fan page timelines.

With these new Facebook promotion guidelines, brands can now accept “contest entries” by asking fans to like, comment, or message the page.

While this is a huge opportunity to drive brand engagement, many businesses are struggling to come up with Facebook contest ideas for their fan page timelines.

Several Facebook app companies launched the ability to export a .csv of likes and comments to help business owners take advantage of these changes.

However, many brands were asking the same questions that Salma is asking below:

With many great tools to manage likes and comments, how do you go about ensuring that Facebook Timeline Contest you post actually gets engagement?

The status updates below are meant to inspire you with ideas that take advantage of the new Facebook changes.

1. We’re almost to 40,000 fans. Click like to celebrate! The 100th like will get a free [INCENTIVE]

2. Comment “Coupon” below to get 20% off your next purchase at [FAN PAGE NAME]. Enter before 5pm EST tomorrow!

3. We’d love getting to know you as well as your best friend knows you! Leave a comment below and attach a picture of you and your best friend for your chance to win [INCENTIVE]. We’ll pick a winner at noon PST tomorrow.

4. Comment below for your chance to win a free T-Shirt: The best kind of [INSERT] is _____________. Get the most likes on your comment by 2pm EST tomorrow to win!

5. Comment below, what year was [FAN PAGE NAME] founded in? The first person to guess it right gets [INCENTIVE]

6. On a scale 0-10+ what do you think of our new product pictured below? The person who leaves the best feedback in the comments will win the product totally free! Winner chosen at 2pm EST tomorrow.

7. Who is excited for Winter? Like this post for your chance to win [INCENTIVE]. We’ll pick a winner at 1pm EST tomorrow.

8. Tomorrow is our 50% in store sale! Click like for your chance to win your entire purchase, free (max $500). We’ll pick a winner at 9am EST tomorrow!

9. We’re launching a new menu item and want your feedback. Comment below and tell us what ingredient you think we should add to the menu item pictured below. The winner will get a free year of the menu item! We’ll announce the winner on our fan page at 2pm EST tomorrow.

10. TRIVIA: How many fortune 500 brands do we work with? Comment below with your guess for a chance to win a free $500 service plan! Winner will be announced at 1pm EST tomorrow.

11. Click “Like” if you can’t wait for the weekend. At 2pm EST tomorrow we’re picking a winner who’ll get a weekend trip for two to Myrtle Beach!

12. Caption this! Comment below with your idea. The comment that gets the most likes will win a [INCENTIVE]. Winner will be picked tomorrow at 5pm EST.

13. Guess how many Jelly Beans are in the jar pictured below. The person who comments closest to the actual amount will win a free year of Jelly Beans! Winner picked at 5pm EST tomorrow.

Pro Tip: Get a picture of whatever your product is with “a lot” of the product featured. This could be your new books stacked on a bookshelf if you’re an author or 100's of pairs of shoes if you’re Nike. Ask your fans to guess #’s. Its quick, fast, and easy for them to participate. Click here for contest ideas you could use for your brand. 

14. On a scale of 0-10+ how much do you love [ENTER BUSINESS NAME]. Tomorrow at 2pm EST we’ll pick our biggest fan and will feature them in our cover photo!

15. Enter your twitter handle in the comments below. The person who comments with the most followers will win a Free T-Shirt! We’ll pick the winner at 3pm EST tomorrow.

16. Last night we played an epic show at The Sycamore Deli. Click ‘LIKE’ if you were there (or wish you were!) for a chance to win a free CD!

17. Gearing up for Halloween! Post a picture of your costume in the comments for a chance to win [INCENTIVE]. Winner will be picked tomorrow at 5pm EST.

18. What will the score of tonight’s game be between the Eagles & Redskins? The closest guess will win [INCENTIVE]. Winner will be announced at 8am tomorrow morning on our fan page.

19. When you were a kid what you want to be when you grew up?  Share your dream in the comments to win [INCENTIVE]. We’ll pick a winner at noon  EST on Friday.

20. Click on this picture and tap ‘L’ on your keyboard for a chance to win [INCENTIVE] hint: tapping L ‘likes’ the photo ;) The 100th like wins!

21. How many cups of coffee is too many? Comment below for a chance to win a $10 Starbucks giftcard to feed that caffeine addiction :) Winner will be picked at 9am EST tomorrow (that is, if you’ve had your coffee and are awake)

22. What did you do this past weekend? Share a photo that you took in the comments – picture with the most ‘likes’ will be our featured cover photo for the rest of the week! Contest ends on Monday at 11am PST.

23. If I could be anywhere in the world right now, I would be in __________________. Share your favorite vacation destination for a chance to win! Winner will be picked at noon EST tomorrow!

24. Who is the first character to utter any kind of speech in the original Star Wars? Guess the right answer and you could win this Darth Vader t-shirt! Winner will be picked at 9pm EST tomorrow!

25. Who is the only MLB player to hit a home run in his first two World Series at-bats? Share the right answer and you could win tickets to the 2013 World Series! We’ll pick the lucky winner at noon EST tomorrow. Check back on our fan page wall to see if you won!

26. My favorite song is ________ by _______. Post your favorite song and artist below and win tickets to the next show! We’ll pick a winner from the comments at 5pm on Wednesday!

27. If you could eat only one thing from our menu for 365 days, what would it be? Share with us for your chance to win a giftcard! Winner will be announced at 3pm EST on Tuesday!

28. My favorite thing to do at the beach is _______. Share your favorite beach-day hobby with us, and you could win a trip to Cancun for Spring Break! Giveaway ends at 4pm EST tomorrow.

29. Who was the first astronaut to go into space? Answer correctly, and you could win tickets to the Air & Space museum downtown! Contest ends at 5pm EST tomorrow.

30. “A flute without holes is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.” – ?? Name who said this quote and from what movie, and you could win a [INCENTIVE]! We’ll post the winner to our wall at 5pm EST tomorrow.

For brands looking to make Facebook contests that’ll get likes and comments on their brands timeline, you can follow the formula below and it’ll work every time. Keep the Facebook Timeline Contest focused and brand specific for best results:

Do you think you’ll run a timeline contest on your fan page?

Top image courtesy of Shutterstock.

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Some of my #7dfps ideas, explained in bit greater detail

There’s a really cool brainstorming & developing going on around twitter hashtag #7DFPS (stands for “7 day first person shooter”).

Since twitter has character limitation, I’ll go through some of ideas in bit greater detail.

Find the hidden human
Online multiplayer. In this game, there’s one zombie player who has bird’s eye view (bit like RTS), and then there’s any number of humans (from 1 to 10 for example). Human players wear bloody clothes and must mimic zombie movement. Their job is for example to go through zombie infested zone in such manner that “zombie commander” doesn’t spot them.

Human players have actions: move and then some animated activities. Humans won’t eat dead bodies though… Humans play the game in first person mode.

There’s 30 individuals in the game zone. Zombie commander doesn’t know who are player characters are (their names are not shown, and they look similar to zombies), but he must look at how zombies (real or fake) act, move and try spot humans from AI bots. Zombie player can mark any character as target, which causes nearby zombies to attack him (50% chance).

Traitor among us
Somewhat similar to previous zombie idea, but this time there’s all human controller characters, for example 20 in the game. Each player has been assigned a target. You have been told to shoot one of the players, and you can only know who he is (but you don’t who will try shoot you).

Level is a square with no walls, if you go too near the edge then anyone can push you over the edge. Your goal is to kill your target by pushing him over the edge or by shooting at him. You can only damage your target, not anyone else. You also will get killed if you push wrong person over the edge. The only vulnerable place is target’s back – shooting any other area makes no damage.

Additionally, you have just one clip of ammo.

Saboteur in the nazi house
Requires at least 2 players: one nazi guard, one saboteur. Bit similar to previous 2 ideas, but this time there’s at least one player (nazi guard) who must try find the saboteur (or saboteurs). In addition to human players, there’s 10-20 AI controlled bots in the level. If there’s more than 2 players, then additional players will become part either nazi or saboteur team (as evenly as possible).

The nazi mansion is filled with 20ish nazis and nazi guests. Nazi guards need to investigate and talk to guest and find the saboteur, while the saboteur tries remain undetected.

Nazi guards walk in FPS mode, and can command any target to halt. AI bots will do as asked, and human player must try fake and look as normal as possible to avoid detection…

In case nazi guard wants, he can ask for a passport (saboteur doesn’t have one in the beginning, and 3-4 guests also have forgotten to carry it with them…). During course of game, saboteur can try steal passport from one of the guests.

Nazi guard can also fully investigate any character, this takes longer time (30-60 seconds) but reveals if the person is carrying anything suspicious (like detonator).

Saboteur must find hidden items (like detonator) and make the place explode.

(This idea is similar to Spy Party game, although major differences are that both teams have first person mode and that there can be more than 2 players in the game. In addition, there can be way that saboteur gets rid of nazi guard – which gives him extra time – this way also nazi guards need to try pretend they are AI bots…)

King of the hill – with a gun
Yet another multiplayer, but this time there’s just one gun in the level. Everybody else carries a crowbar. Round lasts 10 minutes. You get 1 point per second you carry the gun.

When person with the gun dies, he drops the weapon.

Everybody except person with the gun is invisible.

Two makes a team
Again multiplayer. This time there’s at least 2 players (coop mode) against bots or 4, 6, 8, etc players against each other (against other teams mode).

In each team, one has gun, other has ammo. Gunman is the only one that can shoot, and the ammo man is the only one who can handle reloads.

If either one dies, then the team loses.

Lead the blind
Multiplayer for 2 teams (or 1 team against bots). Each character is blind (or alternatively, each player can see everything except other team characters), except the team lead.

Team leader has vision, but carries no gun. The leader can place markers on the field that are visible to his team. If team leader is killed, team loses. If anyone else is killed, he is out of the game (alternatively respawns after 30 secs)

The challenge is for team lead to try spot enemy units and place markers, so that other players in his team can shoot.

Make a choice
Everybody versus Everybody multiplayer. When you spawn in the game, you must choose to have either “melee weapon + vision” OR “gun + blindness”. If you choose gun, then you cannot see anything. If you pick melee weapon, you get also vision.

Levels are simple (for example, storage place with 2 levels… and couple of stairs and boxes)

Hit me, I’m blind
Yet another blind multiplayer. This time everybody is blind. When you get hit, you take damage, but don’t die (you have 100 hitpoints and guns do 5-15 damage). As you get hit you gain vision for 2 seconds.

That’s it. Which one you liked most? If you have your own idea, please feel free to share (either here or as #7dfps tweet)

This entry was posted on Monday, May 28th, 2012 at 9:43 pm and is filed under Game Development. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Gift Ideas for a 50th Wedding Anniversary

The big 50. The fiftieth wedding anniversary is an important, yet seldom reached milestone in any couple's relationship. Unlike other anniversaries, this one is such a 'biggie' that other people can feel free to celebrate it too (with the happy couple's consent, of course). Traditionally, this is the 'golden wedding', and if you are into flowers, the violet is the main theme. Typically, the kids will want to take the celebrating parents out for a nice meal, but gifts too can be given. Remember that it is not the value of the gift that is important, it is the thought that went into it!

So what to give? Depending on budget, how about one of the following:-

* A photo of the couple in a gilt (gold) frame. * Get a painting done from a photo of the couple - these are not as expensive as you might think. you can even do a version yourself by scanning a photo into your PC and then using the 'Art' filters in your paint package to turn it into a work of art. * If you have more than one photo, you could create a scrapbook of them for your folks, bound up in silk ribbon. * Nice wines or gift baskets containing the things they love (especially if they are on a diet - today is not a day for being strict with yourself!) * If money is no object, how about a weekend break? You can get some nice 'getaway' cruises of city breaks quite cheaply nowadays. Just make sure they can still travel! * Do they have major hobbies? Bird spotting? How about some new lightweight binoculars? Golf? How about some new clubs or a set of top of the range balls? * If they are fans of a charity, see if you can make a donation in their name. It is possible to sponsor rare animals these days, and the WWF will happily send you details if you ask. * AVOID trying to help them directly in a financial sense, the chances are that no matter how much they would like money, they would prefer to keep their dignity more. * AVOID 'gift certificates'. This implies that you know they have interests, but can't be bothered to do anything about them. * AVOID trying to 'muscle in' on their big day. You might think it will show love to try and organize everything, cook the food personally etc, but believe you me, at this age, they need their space, and will appreciate straight gifts or restaurant treats far a more. Never outstay your welcome - they don't have as much stamina as they used to!

About the author: Louise Goodman is a new addition to the writing team at www.sorrydarling.com the web's finest source for free gifts and free gift ideas.

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Facebook Buys Digital Book Creator Push Pop Press for “the Ideas and Technology”

In one of its first full-out acquisitions in recent memory, Facebook has bought digital book software company Push Pop Press. The announcement about the deal is meant to quiet the too-obvious reaction of “Facebook is getting into book publishing?”

Instead, the companies hint that the acquired employees will be involved in the visual, and perhaps touch-interface elements of Facebook: “Although Facebook isn’t planning to start publishing digital books, the ideas and technology behind Push Pop Press will be integrated with Facebook, giving people even richer ways to share their stories.”

Most of Facebook recent acquisitions have been in the form of “acq-hires,” where one or more cofounders of a startup will be individually recruited in exchange for especially high pay, stock and other forms of compensation. Facebook has more typically bought entire companies when they also bring technology to the table, as Push Pop has.

The cofounders, designer Mike Matas and engineer Kimon Tsinteris, were former Apple employees who worked on its various operating systems. They left to launch Push Pop, which was used by Al Gore in his well-received global warming iPad book Our Choice, that in turn won one of Apple’s Design Awards.

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Zynga throws out new game story ideas in another player survey

Back in June, Zynga released a fan survey that asked players to give their opinions on potential game ideas, ranging from becoming a mogul in the music business to taking to the high seas as a pirate. Either those ideas have been tossed aside for the moment, or Zynga plans on working on multiple games at once, as they're back again with another survey that seems to hint at future story ideas for games.

To be specific, we aren't told that these are potential games-in-the-making, but are rather asked which of these stories we'd be "most interested in exploring." There are just six options available, with two dealing with medieval times, the Three Musketeers and even King Arthur's round table. The others range from seeking out paranormal phenomenon and ghost-hunting to living in the forest, studying the art of kung-fu.

Some of these stories actually have a bit of intricate detail included, such as names of locations, which makes me think (ok, hope) they might be more than just the results of a brainstorming session. For instance, we're given a particular story, set in a "small coastal town of Oddwater," where we and our neighbors have supernatural powers. We'd be able to grow "magical plants and creatures," and dabble in witchcraft with spells and potions. Put two and two together, even with just this single example, and it seems as though Zynga might have already begun production on some of these ideas, or at the very least, are toying around with how gameplay could be involved, rather than just storytelling. That's all speculation of course, but my interest is definitely piqued.

If you'd like to give your opinion on any of these game ideas, make sure to take the survey before Zynga closes responses. Who knows? One of these could be the next big thing on Facebook.

If you took the survey, which of the six stories did you find the most interesting? Would you like to see any of them actually transformed into games? Sound off in the comments.

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Children's Birthday Party Ideas and Locations

While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you may want to consider an offsite location.

For starters, you won't have to be concerned about the current state of order and tidiness of your house. Plus, using the cultural and recreational resources of the community will broaden your child's horizons and introduce him or her to some wonderful experiences.

Ask your child what she would like. Usually the party theme will reflect her interests, hobbies or sports.

Here are some ideas to jumpstart your creativity.

If your child loves sharks, what better place to be than the local aquarium where he can see sharks up close and personal.

Then, there's the zoo, if he or she loves elephants and wants a jungle theme. Or maybe the local museum of natural history.

Local history museums can make history real.

The local art museum is a great place for the budding artist, a concert for the budding musician, the planetarium for the budding astronomer... you get the idea.

The best part is that many such institutions have activities designed especially for children. Ask.

There are entire institutions, like the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, designed for children.

Other cool ideas:

Have a Pottery party: Facilities have opened up that allow you to paint on pottery. When you are finished, the staff will put it into a kiln for you. Most will host parties and many have special children's birthday party packages.

A Day of Beauty: Recently, our local newspaper had an article about the popularity of makeovers as a party idea for preteens. Mom arranges with a local beauty school or beauty salon to have the group come in for an afternoon, where they have the run of the place.

Roller skating rinks have packages where you can rent the use of a private room for an hour to enjoy light refreshments and cake. Then they are free to enjoy the facility. Keep in mind that rinks are very strict about scheduling.

Ice skaters might enjoy a trip to the ice rink.

Facilities like Chuck E. Cheese cater to birthday parties for young children.

A group of girls may enjoy a luncheon in a neighborhood Chinese restaurant.

Little Ladies' Tea Party: Many hotels will host teas. And they are happy to accommodate children. The kids can dress up and be princesses for the day. Many invite their favorite stuffed animals to the festivities and they can get important lessons in etiquette.

In the summer, you may want to use your back yard for your children's birthday party. But if you don't have a large yard or you don't wish the event to be held there, check out neighborhood parks and playgrounds. Many will allow you to reserve a pavilion.

Where else can you go for ideas?

Try your city or town's local visitor or welcome center. Another source is the local library ' especially the children's department. These days, the internet is an invaluable resource. Local newspapers and magazines often have sections that feature local events and activities. Last, but not least, there is always word of mouth.

Enjoy.

About the author: For more information about planning your kid's party, go to http://www.faces-and-fortunespartytips.com/childrensbirthdayparti es.html

Ellen M. Zucker owns Faces-and-fortunes-partytips.com , a site full of tips, interviews, and advice on putting your event together from professionals who make parties and special events happen.

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Inexpensive date Ideas

Inexpensive date ideas

The first date is not just about restaurants and movies. Here are some great first date ideas starting with the very cheap, more expensive to the extravagant.

1. Beach - Take a picnic, a bottle of wine and a rug and spend the day catching the sun together. Or you could take a dip together all that splashing is bound to be great fun.

2. Picnic by a river - Prepare a basket of goodies a chilled bottle of wine and enjoy the day relaxing in each others company.

3. The movies - Let your date choose the film. It will show good gesture if you don`t have the same taste in films.

4. Theme park - Big or small everybody loves theme parks. Triple loop roller coasters, dodgems, candy floss the ideal date for the big kid in us.

5. Eat in - Show off your culinary skills and ask them round for dinner. Don`t over do the candles and music or you may frighten them away.

6. Indoor ice skating - or roller blading in the park. You can lean against each other for balance and warmth.

7. A sporting activity that you both like.

8. Kite flying - My partner and I did this a few year back. It wasn`t our first date but it was one of the best days we have ever spent together.

9. A trip to the zoo - Everyone likes animals so a trip to the zoo makes for a perfect date.

10. Local museum or art gallery - This is only a good idea if you are both interested in museums.

Expensive date ideas 1. Go to a concert - Take them to see their favorite band in concert and dance the night away.

2. Go for an expensive meal - Have her serenade by one of the waiters with a bottle of champagne and a dozen red roses.

3. Horse back riding - Take a trip to the nearest horse farm. Spend the afternoon horse riding and stopping to take in the scenery and afternoon lunch in a local inn.

4. Candle lit dinner for two aboard a yacht - Take her out to see. Put on the full works, captain sailing, champagne on ice and lobsters for dinner.

5. Take in a show - Get dressed up for the evening and go a long to watch one of your favorite shows at a theatre house. Or go to a premier of a big block buster movie.

6. Horse drawn carriage at night - Take a trip around the city and through the park on a horse drawn carriage. Have it take you to a swanky restaurant and wait while you dine.

7. Under the sea - Go scuba diving.

8. Take to the sky - Go for a trip in a hot air balloon.

9. A trip to New York for the afternoon - Fly her to New York and back in an afternoon. This is the ultimate first date destination (especially if it is her first time there.)

10. On top of the world - Prepare a basket of caviar, prawn cocktail, strawberries and cream and champagne on ice and take to the skies. Well the top of the highest building you can get to.

Extravagant date ideas Fly her to Paris and back - Take in all the sights that Paris has to offer. Finish the date with an expensive meal in one of the swanky restaurants in Paris.

Helicopter ride - Go for a flight over the city in a helicopter.

We`re in the money - Dress up to the nines and go blow a fortune in a top casino.

Parachute jump - Take to the sky for the high of a lifetime. This is can not be a surprise date unless you are sure this is what they want.

Climb to the top of the world - Go mounting climbing on a clear summer day. Don`t forget the flag for when you reach the top.

Go swimming with dolphins - This has to be the ultimate experience of a life time and if you aim to impress this is the way to do it.

Para-gliding - Take to the sea, have lunch then the skies the limit.

Eating in - Hire a top chef and waiting staff and have them round to your place for a meal they won`t forget.

About the author: None

Author: staff Professionalsingles.com

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