How many contests can I run at one time?
As many as you need! ShortStack does not limit the number of live campaigns you can run at one time. Your account limitations are based on how many stored entries you have. We do have limitations on Hashtag Contests. Refer to our pricing page for more information.
Can I reward entrants for sharing on social media?
There isn’t an option to reward entrants simply for sharing. However, we offer a refer-a-friend feature that rewards participants who share your contest with higher chances to win. When a referrer shares their referral URL, and someone else clicks the URL and enters the contest, the referrer receives referral points/extra entries.
Learn about ShortStack's Refer-a-Friend feature.
Is ShortStack compliant with Facebook and Instagram rules and regulations?
ShortStack provides all the tools you need to comply with online social media contest platforms’ rules and regulations. However, you should ensure you are aware of the rules and regulations of each platform when creating your campaign.
Learn about Sweepstakes Rules for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and More.
How do I create a video or photo upload contest?
ShortStack is a great platform for video contests. If you want to display the entries on your campaign, you’ll need a contest-builder platform like ShortStack. Alternatively, if you run a hashtag contest, entrants can simply include the video in their Instagram entry post.
Check out our Photo Upload Contest.
Check out our Video Upload Contest.
How do I moderate UGC from social media contests and promotions?
Entry moderation can occur in a couple of ways. When entries are collected in your ShortStack list, you can set up a review process where you must “allow” an entry before it displays on your ShortStack campaign. We also offer digital rights management tools for hashtag contests.
Learn about rights management.
Can I test campaigns or show them to my client/colleagues before publishing?
Yes, we have a few options. For those with access to your ShortStack account, they can view the campaign in your Campaign Builder. Or, you can publish your campaign as a standalone landing page and share the URL with the clients or colleagues that don’t have access to your account. If you’re using our Teams feature, you can share campaigns with the account admin.
Can I customize ShortStack templates?
ShortStack’s templates are professionally designed and fully customizable to fit your campaign and match your company’s branding. You can update the text and images, change the form fields, update the appearance using our Style Panel and the CSS Editor (available on the Business Plan and higher plans), and much more.
I won't run a contest for a few months, can I pause payments until I need ShortStack again?
Yes! We offer the ability to pause payments for up to 3 months. This is a great option if you run a contest every other month, or are taking a break for one reason or another. During the pause period, you will not have access to any part of ShortStack (entries, emails, the builder, etc), but you will not be charged. Your data will be stored and ready for your return!
Learn about Downgrading, Pausing, and Deleting Your Account.
How do I select a winner for my contest or giveaway?
After you collect entries, you can choose a winner a few different ways. For entries collected into a ShortStack list, you could use our random entry selector to choose a random winner. For contests where entrants submitted a photo, video or text entry, you could determine a winner through public voting or ask a panel of judges (usually people at your company) to choose a winner.
Do I have to know how to code in order to use ShortStack?
Nope! ShortStack allows you to create online campaigns without the use of code. Use our widgets and Style Panel to build and style your campaign. If you happen to be code-savvy, then you can use our Code Widget and CSS Editor to customize your campaign further.
How long does it take to create a campaign?
The time it takes to build a campaign depends on the type of campaign you plan to create. We offer professionally designed templates and themes to help save you time. This means that building something simple, like a giveaway, might only take a few minutes to set up. As a best practice, we suggest giving yourself plenty of time to create, test and promote your campaign before it goes live.