Electric vehicle giant Tesla is known for its minimal advertising expenditure, instead relying on strong word-of-mouth recommendations from its customers and fans. The company is now holding a contest, called TeslaVision, where fans can submit videos showcasing what Tesla means to them.
Contest Details
To participate, fans need to submit a video of 90 seconds or less, demonstrating how Tesla vehicles add value to their lives, such as providing more freedom, safety, fun, or convenience. Entries must be submitted by July 17, 2025.
Judging and Prizes
A panel of judges will select finalists based on creativity, relevance, originality, and entertainment value. The grand prize winner will receive a free Tesla Model Y vehicle and an all-expenses-paid trip to Gigafactory Texas for a private tour. The second and third-place finishers will also receive all-expenses-paid trips to Gigafactory Texas for private tours.
Public Voting
Tesla will select the top 100 videos and have the general public vote on 10 finalists. The public vote may be considered by the judges when choosing a winner.
Why It Matters
This contest is not only a way for Tesla to engage with its fans but also a clever marketing strategy. By asking fans to create and submit their own videos, Tesla can collect a wealth of user-generated content that can be used for commercial purposes without incurring significant advertising costs. In fact, contestants grant Tesla the rights to use their submitted content for free, apart from the potential of winning the contest.
Background
Tesla has tried a similar approach in the past, with a fan video contest in 2017. The company’s decision to rely on user-generated content comes after laying off its marketing team last year. CEO Elon Musk had expressed disappointment with the team’s advertisements, stating that they were “far too generic” and could have been used for any car.
How to Participate
To enter the contest, fans need to upload their video to YouTube and share a viewable URL, as well as make a post on X and Instagram, tagging Tesla. This will not only allow Tesla to use the content for commercial purposes but also provide free public advertising for the company.