ON THE WEB

Social Outreach

ClearVision Optical paints its way to success with an innovative and engaging social media contest

to help spread some holiday cheer, ClearVision Optical (CVO) hosted the Paint, Share & Win contest, inviting customers to paint a special CVO holiday ornament and enter their eye-catching creation via Facebook for a chance to win a BCBGMAXAZRIA handbag. Though the decision wasn’t easy, CVO named Eye Care for the Adirondacks in Plattsburg, NY, as the winner.

Receiving close to 100 entries, the contest was a success that helped CVO reach its clients. “We continually strive to come up with new and innovative ways to engage our customers and build a stronger bond,” says Sheila Haile, marketing and creative services manager for ClearVision Optical. “The holiday contest works because it provides us with an opportunity to say thank you to our customers, a chance for our customers to have holiday fun on their own, and a chance for them to share and engage with us through our social channels.”

More than just a fun giveaway, the contest was one of the many social media programs the company has created to boost brand awareness and interact with customers. “Our goal with our social outreaches is to engage with customers and prospects,” says Haile. “Each of our social platforms has a particular place in our overall marketing strategy and provides unique opportunities to share, engage, and connect with our audience.”

The winning submission from Eye Care for the Adirondacks received a free BCBG tote bag

And their efforts appear to be working. “Each year, the online interaction increases, and more customers become involved in our social outreach,” says Haile, who noted that the contest helped the company’s Facebook page collect an additional 200 likes.

To view the entry gallery, and to check out ClearVision’s other social media programs, visit facebook.com/clearvisionoptical.

{COOL CLICKS}

Modern Optical International has rolled out an enhancement to its website, enabling users to order from its Summit Optical Supply division. For the first time, users have direct access to Modern’s extensive selection of eyewear-related products on the website. Visitors can view high-quality imagery along with important product information and, once logged in, they can order via the Summit Optical Supply page or Modern Optical’s popular EZ ordering tool.
INFO: modernoptical.com/summit-optical-supply

TWEET, TWEET

Social Media experts are predicting a big year for Twitter.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a crash course of best practices from NJI Media.

@ MAINTAIN VISIBILITY. Tweet often and in the afternoon.

@ RALLY UP SUPPORT. Tweet at people and have conversations with followers. It pays to have Twitter fans.

@ SHOW YOUR FANS SOME LOVE. Follow those who retweet you.

@ SHARE UNIQUE CONTENT. Tweet interesting and newsworthy links whenever possible.

@ TWEET IN THE MOMENT. Twitter is one of the fastest news-gathering tools in the world.

@ BE CONCISE. Leave space for followers to add retweets (RTs) and replies; otherwise, you’ll end up running out of characters.