Sales contests should be exciting. Too often, though, they’re a mess: spreadsheets everywhere, last-minute emails, and reps who barely notice. If you’re a sales manager or enablement lead who wants contests that actually drive engagement (without eating your week), this guide’s for you. We’ll dig into how to use Smartwinnr to automate the slog—and what actually works vs. what’s just noise.
Why automate your sales contests anyway?
Before we jump into the how-to, let’s cut through the hype. Automating contests isn’t about “seamless digital transformation”—it’s about:
- Saving time: No more manual tracking or recap emails.
- Better engagement: Automated updates mean people actually pay attention.
- Fewer mistakes: Automation doesn’t forget to update leaderboards at 4 p.m. on Friday.
- Measurable results: You’ll actually know if your contest is working.
But don’t expect software to magically fix a contest no one cares about. The tech only helps if your goals and rewards make sense in the first place.
Step 1: Set a clear, specific goal for your contest
Smartwinnr can automate a lot, but it can’t read your mind. Be specific about what you want to improve. Vague goals (“drive revenue!”) just create confusion. Instead, nail down:
- What’s the target behavior?
- Examples: More demo bookings, faster pipeline movement, more product add-ons per sale.
- Who’s eligible?
- Individual reps, teams, regions, or new hires only?
- What counts as “winning”?
- First to hit a number, most improved, top 3 performers, etc.
Pro tip: Keep it simple. One clear metric beats five fuzzy ones every time.
Step 2: Prep your data and integrations
If your CRM data is a mess, your automated contest will be, too. Smartwinnr can sync with tools like Salesforce, but only if the fields you care about are accurate and up to date.
- Check your CRM fields: Is everyone logging the right activities? Are deal stages current?
- Pick your source of truth: Decide which system will feed results. Don’t try to juggle multiple data sources at once.
- Connect Smartwinnr: Use admin settings to link your CRM or upload a clean spreadsheet if you must. (Automated is best, but don’t force it if your CRM’s a disaster.)
What to ignore: Fancy integrations with everything under the sun. Start with what’s reliable. You can always add more later.
Step 3: Build your contest in Smartwinnr
Now, in Smartwinnr, set up your contest framework. Here’s what actually matters:
- Choose your contest type:
- Points-based (most common), tiered levels, fastest to goal, etc.
- Define start and end dates:
- Don’t make it too long. 2–4 weeks is usually the sweet spot before interest drops off.
- Set your rules and metrics:
- Be crystal clear. “1 point per demo booked” is easy. “Weighted score based on pipeline quality” just confuses people.
- Assign participants:
- Use Smartwinnr’s filters or manual selection. Double-check the list.
- Automate tracking:
- Map your chosen metric to the correct CRM field or data source. Test it—nothing kills trust like a broken leaderboard.
What to skip: Overcomplicated rules or “bonus” side games that just distract. If you wouldn’t bother explaining it in a team meeting, don’t add it.
Step 4: Set up automated communications
A contest nobody remembers isn’t a contest. Smartwinnr can automate nudges, updates, and results—if you set it up right.
- Kick-off message: Send a clear launch announcement with the rules, prizes, and how to win.
- Progress updates: Weekly (or even daily) leaderboard emails keep things top of mind.
- Automated nudges: Reminders to low performers can help, but don’t overdo it or you’ll annoy everyone.
- Recognition: Shout out top performers in real time, not just at the end.
Pro tip: Keep messages short and specific. Nobody reads a wall of text.
Step 5: Automate rewards and recognition
This is where automation saves you from “Oops, forgot to order the gift cards.” Smartwinnr can trigger rewards when someone hits a goal.
- Digital rewards: E-gift cards, badges, leaderboard shout-outs—automate the lot.
- Physical rewards: You’ll still have to ship swag, but Smartwinnr can track who’s earned what.
- Transparency: Let everyone see who’s won what (and why). It cuts down on grumbling and “I thought I won?” confusion.
What doesn’t work: Complicated reward schemes with mystery prizes. People want to know what’s at stake.
Step 6: Monitor, tweak, and don’t overthink it
Don’t “set and forget.” Automation makes it easy to run contests, but not all contests work equally well.
- Check participation rates: Are people engaging, or tuning out?
- Spot unintended consequences: Sometimes contests backfire (e.g., reps sandbag deals to win next month).
- Gather feedback: Ask reps what’s working and what’s not. Don’t just rely on dashboards.
Pro tip: Run shorter, simpler contests first. Iterate as you go. Automation is a tool, not a magic wand.
What works, what flops, and what to skip
What actually boosts engagement:
- Clear goals and metrics
- Frequent, automated updates
- Visible leaderboards and real-time recognition
- Rewards people actually want
What doesn’t:
- Overly complex rules
- Prizes nobody cares about (sorry, branded pens)
- “Set it and forget it” mentality
- Trying to automate everything—including stuff that should be personal (like a genuine thank you)
Ignore:
- Every new feature just because it’s there
- Contests that last forever (they fizzle out)
- Fancy gamification tricks if your team just wants to win and get back to work
Keep it simple, iterate, and focus on what matters
Automating sales contests in Smartwinnr can save you tons of hassle and actually make them fun again—but only if you keep things focused. Don’t try to run the world’s most complicated contest right away. Start with a single, clear goal, automate the grunt work, and tweak as you learn what fires up your team. The real magic isn’t in the software—it’s in how you use it. Keep it honest, keep it simple, and let automation do the boring stuff so you can focus on what matters.