Square, best known for its online payment service, is running a promotion in order to attract holiday shoppers to its fairly new online marketplace. “Give with Character” is a campaign to encourage buyers to find gifts for their friends and family from local businesses on Square Market.
Square had tremendous success in reaching local merchants with its payments service that allows anyone from individual crafters to small businesses to accept credit cards using a small Square card reader plugged in to their smartphone. In June, EcommerceBytes took a look at its new marketplace that made it easy for local retailers to sell online – sellers sign up for free with no listing fees. Sellers pay 2.75% per sale – the same fee for in-person, swiped transactions with the Square Reader.
The just-launched holiday campaign requires shoppers to browse Square Market, create a list of items, and tweet a link with #MKTholiday for the chance to win the items. Ten people will win items from their list, worth up to $1,000. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Most creative and compelling entry.
- Range of businesses featured in entry.
- Variety of items featured in entry.
Square is banking on its merchants to help it promote the contest on social networking sites. In its press release, it said, “Small and mid-sized businesses earn up to 20-40% of their annual sales during the holiday shopping season. As online sales increase – by as much as 15% this season – Square’s powerful new ecommerce platform, Square Market helps local businesses meet new customers where they couldn’t before: online.”
Entries are due by December 15, and Square will notify winners by December 18th. See details on the Square Market website.
