10K in 60 Days

Behind the Scenes: My Contest Story

In 2023, I ran a grassroots "Best Of" contest with zero brand awareness, no email list, and just 800 Facebook followers. My goal? Support local businesses while building a community email list.

The outcome blew me away: Over 10,000 email subscribers in just 57 days—without spending a dime on ads.

What’s a Best Of Contest?

A two-phase interactive campaign that allows your community to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses across multiple categories.

• Phase 1: Nominations via open text form
• Phase 2: Public voting for top nominees

Why It Worked So Well

• Purpose-Driven: Supporting local businesses after COVID-19.
• Community-Oriented: People love sharing and voting for their favorites.
• No Ads Needed: Organic Facebook posts and shares drove massive traffic.
• Smart Tech Stack: WordPress + Smart Quiz Builder + MailerLite + Google Sheets.

The G.R.O.W. Formula Framework

G: Goal

Build a list. Build community. Build awareness.

R: Reward

Engagement-driven prize incentives for participants and businesses.

O: Outreach & Execution

Tap into existing networks, tag nominees, encourage sharing.

W: Wrap-Up & Win

Publish winners, send featured emails, create follow-up content, monetize opportunities.

Tools I Used

• Website: WordPress with Divi Theme
• Email Marketing: ConvertKit → SendFox → FluentCRM
• Form Builder: Smart Quiz Builder
• Design & Promotion: Canva, Facebook, and Google Sheets

Results

• 10,154+ Subscribers in 57 days
• 2,500+ Facebook followers
• Organic reach only — no ads used
• Hundreds of businesses engaged

Want to Run a Contest Like This?

I’ll walk you through my exact process—including tech setup, tools, templates, emails, and promotion strategy—so you can launch your own high-impact list-building campaign.