How to Run a Social Media Contest to Get More Traders

Boost trader engagement with a social media contest! Learn how to create a contest that attracts serious traders and grows your prop firm.

Why Social Media Contests Work (And Why Prop Firms Should Care)

Social media is crowded. Every day, trading firms, brokers, and educators fight for attention. But a well-executed contest can cut through the noise and get traders to engage with your brand.

People like free stuff, and they love a challenge. A social media contest combines both, making it an effective way to attract traders, boost brand visibility, and keep your audience engaged.

For prop firms, this isn’t just about likes and shares. The right contest can:

• Build trust with potential traders

• Grow your community without relying solely on ads

• Turn casual followers into funded traders

If that sounds like something your firm could use, here’s how to run a contest that delivers results.

Step 1: Define Your Goal

Before launching a contest, define what success looks like. A vague goal like “more engagement” isn’t enough. Some effective goals for a prop firm might be:

• Attracting new traders – Encouraging signups for your challenge or evaluation

• Building brand awareness – Increasing visibility among traders

• Boosting engagement – Generating more comments, shares, and interactions on social media

A clear goal helps determine the type of contest that will work best.

Step 2: Choose the Right Contest Type

Not all contests deliver the same results. The best format depends on your goals. Here are some contest ideas that work particularly well for prop firms.

1. Engage-to-Win Contest

This is one of the simplest contests to run. Participants need to:

• Follow your page

• Like the contest post

• Comment their favorite trading strategy, best trade of the week, or tag a fellow trader

Best for: Increasing engagement and reaching new traders through comments and shares.

2. Trading Challenge Giveaway

This contest is designed for active traders. Participants need to:

• Share a screenshot of their best trade

• Post a short video explaining their strategy

• Use a specific contest hashtag

Prize: A free evaluation account or a discount on a challenge.

Best for: Attracting serious traders and generating user-generated content.

3. Partnership Giveaway

A giveaway run in collaboration with a trading educator, influencer, or software provider. Participants need to:

• Follow both accounts

• Comment on why they want to be a funded trader

• Share the post on their story or feed

Best for: Reaching new audiences and gaining credibility through partnerships.

4. Screenshot or Meme Contest

Traders enjoy humor and relatable content. This type of contest asks them to:

• Post a trading meme with a contest hashtag

• Share a screenshot of a memorable trade

Best for: Encouraging viral engagement and increasing brand awareness.

Step 3: Pick a Prize That Traders Actually Want

The prize needs to be something valuable to traders. A generic gift card won’t get much interest.

Some of the best prize ideas for a prop firm include:

• A free evaluation account

• A discount on challenge fees

• A one-on-one coaching session

• A funded account for top-performing traders

The bigger the prize, the more attention the contest will attract.

Step 4: Set Clear Rules

A contest should be easy to enter. Complicated entry requirements will reduce participation.

Clearly outline:

• Who can enter (new traders, existing clients, everyone)

• How they can enter (following, liking, commenting, sharing, etc.)

• When the contest ends and how the winner will be chosen

Adding an element of scarcity, such as limiting the number of winners, can increase participation.

Step 5: Promote the Contest

A great contest won’t succeed if no one sees it. Here are some ways to maximize visibility:

• Pin the contest post to the top of your social media page

• Share it across all platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Discord

• Send email notifications to existing traders

• Encourage affiliates and influencers to spread the word

If the budget allows, running a small paid ad campaign can further increase exposure.

Step 6: Pick a Winner Transparently

Once the contest ends, announce the winner publicly. This builds trust and makes future contests more appealing.

• Post a winner announcement

• Message the winners and deliver the prize as soon as possible

• Thank participants and hint at upcoming contests

A well-managed winner announcement encourages more engagement in future contests.

Step 7: Analyze and Improve

After the contest, review its impact. Key questions to ask include:

• How many new followers or traders joined?

• Did engagement levels increase?

• Did the contest lead to more signups or funded traders?

Use these insights to refine future contests for better results.

Running a Social Media Contest Is Just the Beginning

A well-executed social media contest can bring more traders to your firm, but it’s only one part of a larger growth strategy.

For firms looking for a complete marketing approach, specialized services like social media management, digital marketing, and affiliate outreach can help sustain long-term growth.

A contest can spark interest. The right strategy can turn that interest into loyal traders.