Things are getting pretty weird in Ocean City, New Jersey this week. That’s because each year they hold their annual Weird Contest Week festival. Contests range from taffy and French fry sculpting to artistic pie eating and celebrity super hero impersonations. But it gets even weirder than that. While these contests are pretty out there, a small business can capitalize on having a contest of their own to create buzz and excitement. You don’t have to be outrageous to increase awareness and business.

Get social.
Drive traffic to your Facebook page by having people submit videos of them promoting your business. You have to be willing to let go of control a little, but Doritos has done this for their Super Bowl ads for the past few years, generating some memorable marketing. Plus, your customers do the work for you while they interact with your brand and all you have to do is offer a prize.

Get ugly.
Have contestants submit photos of the ugliest whatever. Choose something that pertains to your company so in the end you can give it a makeover and show that your company is an expert in your field.

Free for a year.
Free lunch, free oil changes, free flowers, free manicures, the possibilities are endless. Who doesn’t want a chance to win something free for a year? This contest should create a lot of buzz and the winner will surely spread the word of your company.