At Cartera, we understand that effective marketing goes beyond driving traffic — it's also about fostering meaningful engagement that builds long-term customer loyalty. That's why our annual Sweepstakes has become a game-changer for our partners. This fun, cost-effective initiative not only boosts awareness for participating Shop & Earn programs but also drives significant shopping activity.
The real magic of Sweepstakes is its ability to turn short-term excitement into sustained customer engagement, even — or especially — among shoppers who might not have otherwise interacted with our programs. Let's explore how this strategy works and why it's a win-win for both our partners and their members.
Aspirational Travelers vs. Pragmatic Shoppers
A common misconception about sweepstakes campaigns is that they attract “empty” traffic — visitors who engage for the prize only and then disappear. At Cartera, we've proven the opposite.
We carefully design our Sweepstakes campaigns to attract shoppers who are outside-the-box.
Our typical member is a pragmatic traveler motivated by elevated miles-offers or bonus points for shopping at their favorite stores. Sweepstakes appeal to a different group: The aspirational travelers who dream of winning a trip to their ideal destination, and who might not normally shop to earn currency. Both groups share the ultimate goal of turning rewards currency into travel. Sweepstakes give us a unique opportunity to hook aspirational members so that over time they'll earn rewards like our typical members do.
The Sweepstakes Impact
The excitement of Sweepstakes creates spikes in shopping traffic. Once that happens, we slowly and steadily turn those spikes into long-term engagement. By combining the thrill of winning with strategic follow-up campaigns, we create a ripple effect that benefits our partners long after the Sweepstakes ends.
To break it down, our Sweepstakes campaigns:
Attract New Customers: Sweepstakes are a proven way to introduce new members to our partners' programs, enticing them with the goal of earning travel rewards.
Re-Engage Lapsed Members: For members who haven't shopped in a while, the excitement of Sweepstakes often provides the nudge they need to return.
Deepen Engagement With Existing Members: Even loyal members love the chance to win, and Sweepstakes give them an extra reason to shop more frequently.
Strategic Timing: Setting the Stage for Success
Timing is everything in marketing and our Sweepstakes are no exception. We strategically launch these campaigns to align with key retail moments, such as holiday or back-to-school promotions, or with events specific to our partners, such as anniversaries or new product launches.
A Multi-Channel, Untraditional Campaign
The Cartera Sweepstakes is more than just a contest — it's a multi-channel campaign designed to maximize engagement at every touchpoint. Unlike other marketing strategies, we don't expect Sweepstakes participants to immediately become shoppers. Instead, we use sophisticated strategies to convert them over time.
Here's how it works:
1. Multi-Channel Promotion:
We promote Sweepstakes through targeted email campaigns, on-site placements, and personalized marketing channels, which ensures maximum visibility while highlighting the enticing prospect of winning a dream trip.
2. Incentivized Engagement:
Participants can earn additional entries by taking key actions that lead to shopper conversion, such as:
Opting into our email list
Downloading our browser extension
Shopping through participating programs
These actions not only boost their chances of winning but also deepen their engagement with our partners' programs.
3. Path to Loyalty:
By encouraging members to take these steps, we guide them toward becoming top shoppers — members who consistently engage and drive value for our partners.
Proven Results
Our results* speak for themselves. Sweepstakes campaigns can drive some of the biggest boosts of the year across all KPIs, including new and returning member traffic, shop rates, product adoption, and more. We provide detailed insights on lifts and impact tailored to each of our client partners—that's the value we deliver.
Why Sweepstakes Matters for Your Marketing Strategy
At its core, our Sweepstakes is about more than just prizes—it's about creating meaningful connections with customers. By leveraging the excitement of a contest, we attract, engage, and retain members in ways that drive long-term value for our partners.
Whether it's bringing in members who are new to Shop & Earn programs, reactivating lapsed program members, or deepening loyalty with existing shoppers, Sweepstakes is a proven marketing strategy that delivers results.
*For more details about the impact our Sweepstakes programs achieve, please feel free to contact us — we'd love to chat.