EDIT* I guess what I'm really asking is for advice on how to setup an effective Facebook ad campaign.
Do note that my target demographic are male developers in general. And it occurred to me that such campaigns give people the "social right" to like a picture of a hot chic (because it is part of a contest after all). Meaning, you won't get flakked for randomly liking a picture of a hot chic because you're doing it to win something.
Anyway it was successful only to some extent, because as some folks mentioned here, Content will always be king. The campaign I mentioned needs to be followed up with consistent and "real" engagement.
Know that people follow you because they find value in what you publish. Start producing valuable content and promote it through various forums. Note that a good followers list is created over time. It does not merely happen over night.