Introduction: What a Kiss Cam Can Teach You About Connection

In the middle of a packed stadium, the cameras zoom in, the crowd roars, and two unsuspecting fans share a kiss on the jumbotron. That kiss cam moment during a Coldplay concert didn’t just make people smile — it went viral but for the wrong reasons. Millions watched and shared it, because it was real, emotional, and relatable since it was simultaneously scandalous.

So what does that have to do with your local gym, bridal shop, MedSpa, etc have to do with it?

Everything.

Because just like that kiss cam moment, your small business has the power to connect with your community in emotional, memorable ways. You don’t need a stadium, a stage, or even a huge budget. What you do need is a creative way to turn clients into fans.

That’s where YouTube photo contests through CliquePrize® come in.

What Is a YouTube Photo Contest?

A YouTube photo contest is exactly what it sounds like: you invite your customers or prospects to snap a photo — of your service, results, experience, or brand — and upload it to YouTube in a simple, fun way.

Once the photo is uploaded as a short video or slideshow, they submit the link into CliquePrize®, where you get to review all entries, pick 5 finalists, and let the community vote for the winner.

It’s part content creation, part community engagement, and fully powerful for local marketing.

Why It Works: The Psychology Behind Engagement

Let’s go back to that kiss cam.

Why did it resonate so much? Why do videos like that — simple, unedited, and completely human — rack up views and get shared?

Because they check off three major emotional boxes:

1. Relatability – "That could be me."
2. Surprise – "I didn’t expect that to happen!"
3. Authenticity – "This feels real, not staged."

Now imagine a bride-to-be showing off her dream dress, a hair client capturing their post-blowout glow, or a Pilates class member doing their favorite pose with a smile.

That’s the kind of emotionally resonant content that people engage with. When your clients are part of your brand story, they don’t just book again — they become advocates, content creators, and community builders.

That’s marketing that money can’t buy, and with a YouTube photo contest, you can generate it without needing to pay for ads.

What’s in It for Brick-and-Mortar Service Businesses?

Unlike digital brands that rely on paid traffic, service-based local small businesses depend on word of mouth, repeat visits, and referrals.

That’s getting harder in a crowded market.

But when a customer takes part in your small business — and shares that experience — they remember you. They talk about you. They bring friends.

YouTube photo contests offer:

• High Local Engagement: Only customers who’ve actually been to your small business can realistically enter
• Client Retention: Many small business owners offer contest entry as a perk with appointment or visit
• Brand Visibility: Every entry becomes social proof and marketing content
• Email Capture: Each registrant must provide contact data inside CliquePrize® — building your list

It’s lead generation and community buzz in one fun promotion.

How It Works on CliquePrize®

🟢 Step 1: Set Up Your Photo Contest as a Video Contest

You launch a Photo Contest (Gold Plan) in CliquePrize®. You choose:

• A title (“Bridal Glow Selfie” or “Best Gym Transformation Pic”)
• A short description
• The prize
• Start and end dates

You pay just $29 for your first contest, get approved and you’re live in minutes.

🟢 Step 2: Promote Your Contest

Promote it with:

• In-studio posters and flyers
• A QR code at the front desk
• Emails and SMS to customers (aka Contestants)
• Instagram, TikTok, and Stories

Tell clients: “Snap a pic after your next visit and upload it to YouTube for a chance to win!”

🟢 Step 3: Collect Entries

Your Contestants create their own YouTube photo videos — even a 10-second clip or simple slideshow works. They copy the YouTube link into CliquePrize® and submit.

Only the first 50 entries are eligible for the Submission Phase.

🟢 Step 4: Choose the Finalists

You review the entries and select 5 finalists based on creativity, authenticity, and fit. Your staff reviews them to ensure they follow rules and are publicly viewable. CliquePrize® staff will monitor quality once your submit for Voting Phase.

🟢 Step 5: Let the Votes Roll In

Once the Voting Phase begins, Contestants can vote for their favorite video. The highest-rated or most-voted entry wins.

Another winner is selected randomly just for voting — encouraging more participation.

🟢 Step 6: Award the Prize

Winners are announced, notified, and prizes fulfilled. Your brand enjoys more local attention, social sharing, and client growth.

Real-Life Examples: Service-Based Success

💍 Example: Bridal Boutique

A boutique in Georgia ran a photo contest called “Say Yes in Style” where brides-to-be uploaded clips of themselves trying on dresses. The top entry showed a tearful bride with her mom — it won, went viral in the local bridal scene, and brought in a 40% boost in consultations that month.

🧖 Example: MedSpa

A medspa in Florida held a “Post-Treatment Glow” contest asking clients to post their glow-up photos after facials. 35 entries came in. Local influencers voted, and the spa gained over 100 new followers and 50 email subscribers.

💪 Example: Gym

A gym in Chicago ran a “Flex Friday” contest — members uploaded videos showing their personal fitness wins. The winner was a 60-year-old client celebrating her first pull-up. It was powerful. It was real. Membership sign-ups doubled that weekend.

💇 Example: Hair Salon

A hair salon in LA created a “Fresh Cut Confidence” challenge. Clients took selfies or 360-spin clips after getting styled. The salon received not only entries — but 200 tagged Instagram posts, all linking back to their contest.

🧘 Example: Pilates & Kickboxing Studio

This hybrid studio in Austin launched a contest called “Strike a Pose or Punch a Bag.” Entrants chose either a peaceful yoga pose or an action kickboxing shot — showcasing the brand’s dual energy. Engagement went through the roof and they sold out their spring class package.

Offering smaller runner-up prizes like free samples, discounts, or branded merchandise can also keep engagement high.

Why YouTube?

Instagram is great for day-to-day sharing, but YouTube is required by CliquePrize® to host the content. Additional benefits include:

• Google-Searchable: Entries show up in search engines
• Unlimited Length: No time restrictions
• Longer Shelf Life: Videos stay relevant longer
• No Storage Headache: You don’t need to host the media — YouTube does

That’s why CliquePrize® built its video contest platform around YouTube. It’s free, trusted, and scalable.

A Smart, Affordable Strategy That Works

Most local small business owners know this: You can spend a lot on ads and barely move the needle.

But a well-run photo contest costs less than a dinner out — and delivers:

• Branded local content
• Customer loyalty
• Qualified leads
• Community buzz
• Free word-of-mouth marketing

And let’s not forget: it’s fun for your Contestants. It builds trust and connection, just like that unforgettable Coldplay kiss cam moment.

Your Next Step

You don’t need a big agency or expensive tools to build buzz.

You need:

• An iPhone
• A smart app (CliquePrize®)
• A reason to smile (your next Contestant win)

Take the first step today—start with just $29 and try CliquePrize® for your next promotion.

🚀 Ready to take your marketing to the next level? Download the CliquePrize® app and create a FREE Sponsor Account today!

CliquePrize®*** is the iPhone Giveaways mobile app that helps Small Businesses grow by reaching, nurturing and converting local, high value prospects. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know!***