Contest entry forms aren’t just about handing out games and prizes—they’re a clever way to connect with your audience. People love the thrill of competition, and when they enter, they’re not just playing to win; they’re also engaging with your brand and willingly sharing their details.
While a few may walk away with prizes, your business wins something even bigger: increased visibility and stronger connections with your audience.
Forms are key to making the process simple and hassle-free, which boosts participation, whether it’s a photo contest, a talent show, or any other competition. An easy-to-use entry form can make all the difference.
But what if you could simplify things even further? That’s where QR code-powered forms come in. Let’s learn how competition entry forms work—and how QR codes can take them to the next level.
What is a contest entry form?
A contest entry form is a digital or physical form that gathers participants’ information for a competition. Contest forms are vital since they are the gateway for people to join contests.
Entertainment companies often rely on these forms to manage large-scale competitions and ensure smooth participant registration. These forms collect key details such as names, contact info, and, depending on the contest, media submissions like photos or videos.
And not only in entertainment, but contest forms can also be super useful for academics, especially since competitions are often held in schools. A competition entry form is convenient, simplifying the registration process for academic competitions and making it easier for students to submit their details and participate.
How to create a simple entry form for contests
Follow this easy guide to create a simple entry form:
Step 1
Go to a form builder online.
Step 2
Go to Templates or create your own from scratch.
Step 3
Add the necessary fields for your contest.
Step 4
Customize the form’s appearance by adding a logo and adjusting the colors to match your branding. Then, preview the form and finalize everything.
Step 5
Generate a QR code for your form, and customize the QR according to your preferences.
Step 6
Export the QR code in the format that best suits your needs, whether it’s a single code or multiple on one page for printing.
Step 7
Share the QR code in your promotional materials or online.
Step 8
Monitor the form’s performance through the dashboard, track submissions, and make detailed analyses or any updates as needed.
Components to add to your competition entry form template
When you’re putting together a competition entry form, it’s not just about asking for a name and email—there’s a whole structure behind it!
The fields you choose to include shape how easy or challenging it is for participants to enter and can make a big difference in how smoothly your contest runs. Whether you’re looking to gather just the basics or dive a little deeper with optional fields, knowing what to include is key.
Let’s break down the basic and optional components you can add to your form to make it clear, simple, and engaging for your participants.
Basic fields
Basic fields are must-haves that every form should include. They ensure that you gather all the key details you need while also setting up the right context for your contest. Here’s a breakdown of the core fields you’ll need:
1. Contest details answering the 5Ws and H questions
Before participants even think about filling out their info, they need to know what they’re entering. Include details that answer your contest’s Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
Also, if your contest has different categories or themes, make sure to specify them so participants know where they fit. For a large-scale contest, a public event registration form simplifies sign-ups and organizes participant data efficiently.
2. Participant’s personal information
This is where you collect the basic info about the person entering your contest—like their full name, age (if relevant), and any other personal data needed to confirm eligibility.
3. Participant’s contact details
Include fields for the participant’s email address, phone number, or physical address. This is to contact them about contest updates or to send out prizes.
4. Terms and conditions
Be sure to include the contest rules and regulations in your terms and conditions. Let your participants know what’s expected of them and what they agree to. Make it easy to access and clearly state, ideally with a checkbox confirming they’ve read and accepted the terms.
5. Checkbox of consent
Always ask for consent to contact participants. This is especially important for contest promotions, newsletters, or follow-up communications.
6. Submission button
The final step! Once all fields are completed, include a simple button for participants to submit their entries. Make it visible and clear, so they know how to finish the process.
Optional fields
While the basic fields are the essential building blocks, you might want to add a few extra details that aren’t strictly necessary but can enhance the participant’s experience or help you gather more valuable data.
Optional fields are things that add a bit of extra flair or provide helpful insights without overwhelming the form. Here’s what you could include:
1. Gender
An optional field to gather demographic information, which can be useful for your analysis or prize distribution, if applicable.
2. Section to add sample submission/sample entry
If your contest involves submitting content (like a photo, video, or essay), consider adding a section where participants can upload or share their sample entry directly within the form.
3. Social media handles
Want to see how participants engage with your contest on social platforms? Include a field in your form where they can share their social media handles. This not only helps you track participation but also boosts your social media management efforts by encouraging more sharing and interaction.
4. Referral section: How did you hear about the contest?
Understanding how your participants learned about your contest can give you valuable insights into your marketing efforts. Whether they heard about it through a friend, social media, or your website, this field can help track which channels work best.
5. Feedback and question section
Give participants a space to ask questions or provide feedback about the contest. It can help improve future events and show that you value their input.
Additionally, you can link an attendee feedback form for events if the contest is held at a physical location.
Benefits of using online contest registration forms
Easy entry submission
Participants can quickly access the contest form by scanning a QR code, making entry faster and hassle-free. This is ideal for entertainment companies looking to streamline audience engagement at events.
Real-time tracking
A smooth entry process encourages more participation. With online form builders, you can conveniently monitor scans and submissions in real-time, tracking them by time, device, and location.
Customization
Using a free online competition form creator lets you customize your entry forms. You can add custom fields, match it to your branding, and adjust the design to your needs.
Increased participation
QR codes make entering contests faster and easier, encouraging more people to join without the hassle of long URLs or complicated steps.
Accurate data collection
QR code forms reduce mistakes like mistyped details, ensuring accurate information for contacting winners and managing the contest. This is really important for contest entry forms for promotions, as it improves the process and efficiency in handling participant data.
Cost-effective solution
QR forms cut out printing costs and the need for paper entries. They’re easy to update and fully digital, saving time and money.
Real-world examples of online contest entry with Form QR code
Red Bull’s QR code-enabled contest campaign
Red Bull used QR codes to make their “Red Bull Racing Challenge” more engaging. They placed QR codes on merchandise, social media, and event banners, directing participants to an online entry form for a chance to win exclusive racing experiences.
This simplified entry boosted participation, especially at live events, while also helping Red Bull collect valuable user data for future campaigns.
Pepsi’s Super Bowl QR code contest
Pepsi ran a super bowl QR code sweepstakes to promote its halftime show. Fans could scan QR codes from ads, Pepsi cans, and in-store displays to enter for prizes like VIP concert tickets.
The campaign saw a surge in entries compared to previous years, thanks to the easy, fast process and the excitement of the Super Bowl audience.
Get more entries with smart contest forms
Simplifying the contest entry process is key to keeping participants engaged. A well-designed smart contest form helps contest managers collect accurate data, track submissions efficiently, and improve participation rates.
With tools like QR forms, you can create mobile-friendly forms that streamline entry collection, reduce manual work, and provide real-time tracking by time, device, and location. This enhances the participant experience and makes content management smoother and more organized.
Digitize your contest registration workflow with QR forms!