Business boosters: selfie sofa and invent a pizza contest

Where: ​Refinery, Bankside, London

Website: ​www.therefinerybar.co.uk​

Twitter: ​@therefinerybar

The idea: ​A week-long campaign offering customers, who posted a group selfie on the social media pages of the Drake & Morgan site, the chance to win brunch from the group’s newly launched Sunday brunch menu.

How it works: ​From the5^th​ to the 12th May, ​customers were encouraged to take selfies of themselves and their friends on the site’s ‘Selfie Sofa’ and share them on its Twitter and Instagram platforms, using the hashtag #selfiesofa. The most shared and liked selfie at the end of the week won brunch for the group worth £250.

Marketing: ​The campaign was promoted through Drake & Morgan’s monthly newsletter and social media channels as well as via a press release.

Be prepared: ​An area was set up where customers could pose, using the selfie sticks provided, to get the best angle.

Pay-off:​ Provides a fun way to give back to social media-savvy customers; provides further opportunities for social media campaigns.

Key benefits: ​Raises the social media profiles of both the bar and the group; celebrates the launch of a new Sunday brunch menu across six of Drake & Morgan’s eight London sites; drives brand awareness and footfall.

Advice​: Allie Warren, marketing manager for Drake & Morgan, says: “Make it as easy as possible for customers to interact and win. A good prize always helps as well!”

Best outcome: ​Interaction with the site’s social media platforms increased considerably.

Where: ​Inception Group's Bunga Bunga, Battersea, London

Website: ​www.bungabunga-london.com​

Twitter: ​@BungaBungaLDN

The idea:​ Monthly design-a-pizza competition for customers.

How it works: ​Guests design their own pizzas for a chance to have their creation featured on the bar and pizzeria’s menu for a month. Entrants are encouraged to make their designs as imaginative as possible. The winner, plus three friends, is able to enjoy their pizza for free throughout the month it is featured on the menu. The runner-up also receives a prize.

Marketing:​ A5 cards, incorporating a blank pizza on which customers can draw their design, are left at each place on every table. Each month’s winner and runner up are then announced through the bar’s social media channels.

Be prepared: ​Both savoury and sweet entries are accepted. The latest winning design is an ‘Easta-Pizza’ comprising a blend of Cadbury Crème egg, caramel swirl, Nutella and marshmallows on a hot cross bun pizza dough with raisins.

Pay-off:​ Promotes discussion between group members, enhancing their dining experience; provides a good source of data capture.

Key benefits: ​Encourages interaction with customers; provides insight into the type of pizzas customers prefer;

Advice​: Marketing manager Olly Priestman says: “Make the competition about the customer; they are the most important aspect of your business. Keep it fun and interactive and offer prizes which are worthwhile.”

Best outcome: ​Hundreds of entries received each month