Author: Thom Leaman

Vital dates

Important Dates

Posted on | by Thom Leaman

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Launch Date Type Campaign Details
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Event Now Open No ad deadline View Details →
Monday, May 11, 2026 Special Section Lowcountry Parent Magazine – Mom’s Choice Ad Deadline: Tue, Apr 7
Dist: 32,000 + 50 		Get Rates →
Friday, May 1, 2026 Event Spring Book & Author Luncheon No ad deadline Tickets/Sponsor →
Sunday, May 24, 2026 Special Section Statewide Real Estate Ad Deadline: Tue, Apr 21
Dist: 120,000 		Get Rates →
Sunday, July 26, 2026 Special Section My Charleston Ad Deadline: Tue, Jun 16
Dist: 23,000* 		Get Rates →
Monday, August 17, 2026 Special Section Lowcountry Parent Magazine – Back to School Ad Deadline: Tue, Jul 14
Dist: 32,000 + 50 		Get Rates →
Sunday, September 13, 2026 Special Section Charleston’s Choice Results Ad Deadline: Mon, Aug 10
Dist: 20,000 		Get Rates →

Times shown in Eastern Time (ET). Dates and distribution details subject to change.

Lock Your Placement

Want these on your calendar with reminders and holds? We’ll wire a mini plan and set up alerts for booking and production deadlines.

Contesting

Contests = Conversion

Posted on | by Thom Leaman

Fast Path to Participation

💡 Quick Win: The #1 prize type is a transformational experience—free workouts for a year, a semester of tuition, or tickets to the state’s biggest football rivalry.

Three Contest Formats That Deliver in Charleston

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Sweepstakes for Reach

Burn Bootcamp’s “Free Workouts for a Year” giveaway pulled in qualified leads from people already interested in fitness.

Why it worksBig upside + simple entry = scale.
Best forTop-of-funnel list growth.

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Seasonal Series for Momentum

Mother’s Day sweepstakes with local sponsors (bakery, jewelry, furniture, orchestra) drove 3,000+ entries and nearly $6,000 in revenue.

Why it worksCalendar heat + multiple partners.
Best forSustained attention + cross-promo.

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Photo Contests for Engagement

“Show Us Your Game Face” sparked fan submissions, community sharing, and $19,000 in sponsorship revenue.

Why it worksUGC drives sharing + sponsor value.
Best forHigh engagement + local pride.

Case Flashes

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Hoops Frenzy

  • 1,000+ entries
  • 700 sponsor opt-ins
  • $5,000 revenue

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Hurricane Prep Package

  • 1,000 entries
  • 400 sponsor opt-ins
  • Public-service tie-in boosted goodwill

👉 The common thread: contests turn attention into action. When prizes align with passion points—health, family, sports, safety—they don’t just generate buzz, they generate data, leads, and ROI.

Ready to Launch a Contest That Converts?

Want to see how Charleston brands turn contests into consistent revenue? We’ll help you match format + prize to your audience and wire it for lead capture.

Plan my contest
Contest FAQs

Contest FAQs

What prizes perform best?

Transformational experiences (year-long memberships, tuition support, major event tickets) consistently drive higher participation.

How do we maximize sponsor value?

Align the prize with sponsor outcomes, add opt-in checkboxes, and report on leads, entries, and engagement—not just impressions.

How often should we run contests?

Anchor to the local calendar (sports, storms, holidays). Run seasonal series for momentum and predictable revenue.

Do photo contests still work?

Yes—UGC fuels sharing and sponsor exposure when moderated well with clear terms and a simple vote/entry flow.