Things are starting to get back to “normal” as vaccination rates rise and offices reopen at full capacity. Businesses want to get “back to normal,” but what will that look like? And what will your customers’ level of tolerance be for a post-pandemic prize that is awarded as part of a sweepstakes or contest? The types of prizes most coveted by winners may not have changed, but the form or method of delivery they want them in might have.

Travel Prizes

In the post-pandemic world, while people are anxious to get back to travelling, they may still prefer to be closer to home, or to avoid long flights or cruises. And then there are vaccine requirements to consider. In the short-term, travel experiences close to home may be your best bet as a post-pandemic sweepstakes prize. Or consider letting your winners design their own travel instead of offering a particular package. In any case, be sure to include language in your official rules to cover you in case of another pandemic-type situation where travel could be banned or curtailed.

In-Person Event Prizes

Not everyone may be ready or able to go to an in-person concert or event. For the time being, consider giving your winners options to attend events in-person or virtually if possible. And if events are in-person only, be sure to include language about attendance requirements up front – will vaccinations plus a two-week waiting period after the final vaccine be required for attendance? Will attendees need to show proof of vaccines, or be masked? All of this should be included clearly in your rules if an in-person event is part of the prize package.

Services and Products as Prizes

We have always advocated giving away your own brand’s services or products. But the types of services people want most certainly has shifted in the last 15 months, and brands had to lean into that. Don’t expect people to make a rapid switch back to the way things used to be. If during the pandemic people were picking up or having your products delivered, continue to offer that type of method of delivery in your prize options. If your services were performed virtually, do the same for now. It may be a good time to entice people to come back to your store or restaurant, but you don’t want to lose a customer if they win a prize they aren’t ready to use just yet.

Electronics and Cars as Prizes

There is still a demand for electronics and cars – but there has been a down shift on the “more, more, more” mentality. For cars, while a daily commute used to be the norm, it is not always so nowadays, and many work-from-home couples may have gone from a two-car family to one. Who wants to pay for car insurance for a second car when you may not need it? Take into consideration what car your customers might want to have if they only have one – a sports car, or a more all purpose vehicle? A minivan, or a sedan?

As for electronics, while AirPods and the latest gadgets may still have their place, what has been in even higher demand are Pelotons and home gym equipment, as well as home office electronics. Take into consideration your customer base when deciding what the best electronics and cars would be right for them at this time.

For help in crafting language for your next set of sweepstakes or contest rules that takes into account these post-pandemic prize considerations, contact us! We can help.

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