2018 got off to a hot start outside, but things were even more scorching in the Easy Social Media offices, with a number of early successes.

Choosing just one to highlight here was tough, but we couldn't go past this recent competition for The Heads Omapere (nice one, Lexie!) —

Check out the original post on Facebook

The Prize Package

You might think giving away a relaxing weekend getaway would create plenty of excitement, and you would be right!

What was included:

• Accommodation: Relaxing weekend stay at The Heads Omapere
• Continental breakfast: Gourmet morning meals included
• 2-hour horse trek: Unique outdoor experience in stunning location
• Natural setting: Beautiful Hokianga harbour views
• Complete package: Everything needed for a perfect getaway
• High perceived value: Premium experience worth competing for

The Results: Massive Viral Reach

With over 168,000 people reached (and counting!), this one competition has already been seen by a decent chunk of Kiwis.

Campaign achievements:

• 168,000+ people reached: Massive audience exposure
• Organic viral growth: Through-the-roof organic reach
• Active participation: Users busily tagging friends and family
• Multiple touchpoints: Each tag expanded reach exponentially
• Geographic coverage: Reached across New Zealand
• Sustainable engagement: Continued growth after initial boost

The Secret Sauce: Video Content

The organic reach is through the roof on this one, with the lion's share coming through active users busily tagging their friends and family for a chance at this wicked prize.

You'll notice we've paired a video with this competition, and with video content typically generating up to six times more organic reach than a static image it's no wonder this one has gone viral.

Why video worked so well:

• 6x more organic reach: Video content dramatically outperforms static images
• Visual storytelling: Showcased the location and experience
• Emotional connection: Viewers could imagine themselves there
• Algorithm favour: Facebook prioritizes video content
• Shareability: More likely to be shared than static posts
• Engagement driver: Video keeps people watching and interacting

The Winning Formula

The combination of an enticing prize, backed by a video campaign, with a targeted ads spend behind it is a powerful one.

Three key ingredients:

• Enticing prize: Weekend getaway with horse trekking = dream experience
• Video content: Showcasing the location and creating desire
• Strategic ad spend: Targeted boost to right audience

How these elements worked together:

• Prize desirability: Created motivation to participate
• Video amplification: Leveraged Facebook's algorithm preference
• Initial boost: Paid ads sparked the viral fire
• Organic takeover: User tags and shares did the heavy lifting
• Exponential growth: Each tag reached new networks
• Cost efficiency: Modest spend, massive reach through viral effect

The Mechanics: Tag-to-Enter

The competition mechanics were simple but effective:

Entry requirements:

• Tag friends/family: Simple action that expands reach
• Low barrier: Easy for anyone to participate
• Network effect: Each tag introduced the brand to new audiences
• Social proof: Seeing friends tagged increased credibility
• Viral mechanism: Built-in sharing through tagging

Results Breakdown

What 168,000+ reach means:

• Brand awareness: Massive exposure for The Heads Omapere
• Qualified audience: Reached people interested in NZ getaways
• Cost per impression: Incredibly low with organic viral spread
• Future bookings: Thousands now aware of the destination
• Social proof: High engagement signals quality and popularity
• Long-tail effect: Post continues reaching people over time

The Takeaway

The Heads Omapere campaign demonstrates the power of combining three elements perfectly:

• Desirable prize + Video content + Strategic boost = Viral success
• Video content isn't optional anymore — it's 6x more effective
• Tag-to-enter mechanics create exponential reach
• Small ad spend can spark massive organic growth
• The right prize for your audience drives participation
• 168,000+ reach with modest budget = exceptional ROI

Want Similar Success for Your Business?

Looking for a similar success story for your business? We can tailor our bag of tricks to suit your upcoming promotion.

Whether you're promoting:

• A hospitality or accommodation business
• Tours and experiences
• Retail products
• Services or events

We know how to create competitions that go viral and deliver real business results.

Contact us at Easy Social Media and we'll talk you through how we can create your 168,000+ reach success story.