I completely agree: giveaways are an incredibly adaptable and powerful marketing tool for any business. They’re channel-agnostic, scalable to fit any budget, and generate their own excitement—everyone loves free things!
The best part is the endless possibilities for creative giveaways. To inspire you, I’ve compiled over 30 ideas, real-world examples, and tips to ensure your giveaway delivers impactful results.
Table of contents
- Why should you run giveaways?
- How do you make a successful giveaway?
- Best giveaway ideas for businesses
- Giveaway ideas for small businesses
- Cool giveaway ideas
- Unique giveaway ideas
Why should you run giveaways?
Giveaways can benefit your entire sales funnel, from creating initial awareness to turning customers into brand advocates. Here are some of the most effective ways I’ve seen giveaways used:
- Increase brand visibility: Giveaways are a great way to break the ice with potential customers who are unfamiliar with or haven’t yet built trust in your brand.
- Support a new product launch: Giveaways grab attention quickly, which is crucial for introducing a new product to the market.
- Promote a new location: A free gift is a great way to build relationships with people in a new neighborhood or area.
- Grow your social media and email list: Tag-a-friend giveaways are incredibly effective at expanding your social media reach.
- Clear out seasonal inventory: Transform a potential loss into a successful marketing campaign.
- Generate user-generated content (UGC): Encourage customers to create content by making sharing user-generated content a requirement for giveaway entry, and watch the amazing customer images and videos come pouring in.
- Encourage customer referrals: Incentivize your customers to become your strongest advocates.
- Recover abandoned carts: Push hesitant customers to complete their purchases by offering free shipping, gift cards, or trial sizes.
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How do you make a successful giveaway?
The type and scale of your giveaway will depend on your resources, target audience, and objectives. Follow these steps to make a big impact:
Define your objective
Your giveaway’s objective is the foundation. Every other aspect should support it. For instance, if your goal is to skyrocket your Instagram follower count, your chosen platform, rules, and promotional plan should all work together to achieve that specific goal.
Select the prize
This is trickier than it might seem. You’ll want a prize that aligns with your brand and is appropriate for your goals. A brand-aligned giveaway helps attract the right customers. Giving away running shoes when you sell baby monitors will attract people who don’t need your products.
Choose a gift that aligns with the size and goal of your giveaway.
Similarly, a high-value prize for a simple entry method (like a tag on Instagram) will likely result in a flood of entries from people outside your target audience. Choose a prize that’s enticing but aligns with the effort required to participate.
Choose your platform
Consider where your target audience hangs out: in-person events, social media platforms, email lists, etc. Select the platform that aligns best with your goal. For example, if you want to build awareness for a new dental practice, distributing travel-sized dental kits at a health fair is ideal. On the other hand, an email campaign might be more suitable for seeking patient referrals.
Plan your timing
Timing significantly impacts a giveaway’s success. Consider seasonal trends, competition levels, and your internal schedule. For instance, a brand awareness campaign that could triple your TikTok followers in June might get lost amidst the holiday marketing frenzy in December.
Establish the rules
There are two key questions to address:
- What do participants need to do to enter the giveaway?
- What legal and platform-specific rules must you comply with? The effort required to enter should match the prize’s value. The more valuable the prize, the more you can ask of participants. Requesting a shirt purchase in exchange for a free shirt is reasonable. Similarly, asking for an email address for a chance to win a weekend getaway is acceptable. However, a low-cost branded pen likely won’t entice many email sign-ups (though they make great conference handouts).
Ensure all giveaway rules are clearly outlined.
Legal and platform rules vary. Instagram has its own guidelines, for instance. Generally, provide a clear and fair description of the prize, set a minimum age for participation, outline the rules, and, if applicable, disclose the odds of winning.
Generate excitement
Leading up to and during your giveaway, leverage social media posts, website popups, and email blasts to build anticipation. Offer early bird entries or bonus entries to loyalty program members. Explore partnerships with influencers or related businesses. For high-impact campaigns, consider paid search ads or boosted social media posts.
Follow up
After the giveaway concludes, capitalize on the heightened attention. Announce the winner (for contests) and tag them on social media to amplify reach. Remind those who didn’t participate about the missed opportunity and encourage them to stay tuned for future events.
You might even gather more email addresses with the promise of future giveaways than the initial giveaway itself.
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Best giveaway ideas for businesses
Here are some tried-and-true giveaway ideas known to generate buzz, leads, and sales.
1. Sweepstakes
Sweepstakes are a familiar favorite. Participants provide their email address or other information for a chance to win a prize. Unlike a guaranteed gift-with-purchase, the element of chance adds anticipation. Sweepstakes are versatile for brand awareness and lead generation campaigns. They’re less common for driving direct sales, as requiring a purchase for entry can be legally complex.
2. Customer loyalty giveaway
Customer retention is invaluable for sustainable growth. business growth strategy. A customer loyalty giveaway aims to keep your best customers happy and coming back for more.
Utilize exclusive giveaways for loyalty members to encourage engagement.
The giveaway format is flexible; the key is emphasizing exclusivity. Only your most valued customers receive the gift, discount, or entry, fostering a sense of community and strengthening brand loyalty.
3. Holiday-themed giveaway
Holiday-themed giveaways offer endless possibilities. Black Friday doorbusters are popular, but creativity is encouraged. For example, a self-care giveaway for singles could be a unique Valentine’s Day campaign.
4. The year’s supply giveaway
The allure of abundance, even for everyday items, is a powerful psychological motivator. Imagine a pantry overflowing with mac and cheese or a year’s worth of laundry detergent—it’s strangely exciting. Offering a year’s supply of your product taps into this desire. The added benefit is that you can tailor it to your offerings, attracting potential customers.
5. BOGO
Buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) deals are a win-win for businesses and customers.
Leverage BOGO deals to significantly boost sales and awareness.
Customers receive double the value, and each redeemed offer translates to a sale for you.
BOGOs can also be effective loss leaders—products sold at low or no profit to attract new customers who may purchase additional items.
6. Free upgrade
If your product or service has tiered pricing, a free upgrade giveaway can entice customers to try higher-tier options. For instance, if you offer software with entry, pro, and executive plans, promote a deal where entry-plan buyers get a free month of the pro version. Some users will likely enjoy the added features and upgrade after the trial. This works for physical products too. Offer the premium version at the standard price for a limited time, gather reviews, and leverage that social proof to drive sales afterward.
7. Free product with purchase
This is a favorite, particularly for:
- Moving seasonal or excess inventory
- Introducing a new product Ensure the free product complements the purchased item. Socks with shoes are a classic example. Another approach is offering items often overlooked but essential, like batteries with a battery-operated toy.
8. Product bundle giveaway
Promote add-on sales by bundling complementary products and offering a promotional giveaway to showcase their combined value.
Bundling products for giveaways effectively promotes complementary items.
9. Surprise discount or coupon code
Imagine this: A customer opens a promotional email revealing their unique code. They click through to a landing page, enter the code, and bam—a 20% discount is unlocked. The element of surprise and anticipation amplifies the perceived value compared to a simple 20% off announcement. This works best with a substantial offer; a meager 5% might leave customers feeling underwhelmed.
10. Branded swag giveaway
A classic and effective tactic for in-person events, branded swag giveaways involve distributing items like pens, t-shirts, hats, or even fidget spinners to attract people to your booth or table. A variation is to offer fewer, higher-quality items exclusively to those who engage with your team, shifting the focus from pure brand awareness to lead generation.
11. Refer-a-friend giveaway
Happy customers are your most persuasive salespeople. Incentivize referrals with an appealing gift.
Utilize giveaways to boost customer referrals.
Since you’re asking customers to advocate for your business, and the leads generated will be highly valuable, ensure the reward is enticing.
12. Influencer giveaway
If you lack a large audience, partner with an influencer to expand your reach. Prioritize influencers with smaller, engaged, niche audiences over mega-influencers. For instance, for an essential oils giveaway, collaborate with a holistic health advocate with a few thousand dedicated followers rather than a celebrity. This approach yields higher-quality traffic and potential customers.
13. Buy a gift, get a gift
This clever spin on holiday or BOGO promotions rewards gift-givers with a little something for themselves. Gift cards provide flexibility, but a fun twist is offering identical gifts for the giver and recipient, particularly if your product encourages shared experiences, such as bracelets.
14. Appreciation giveaway
Celebrate milestones like business anniversaries or reaching a social media follower milestone with an appreciation giveaway. You can personalize this approach too. For instance, send a surprise gift or discount to customers on the anniversary of their first purchase.
15. Reengagement giveaway
For customers or prospects who haven’t engaged with your brand recently, a re-engagement giveaway can reignite their interest. Segment your email list to identify subscribers who haven’t opened emails or made purchases within a specific timeframe. Send them a targeted email with a compelling subject line announcing the giveaway. Discounts or BOGO offers are effective incentives for encouraging repeat purchases.
Giveaway ideas for small businesses
For small businesses and startups, resource optimization is crucial. These giveaway ideas are budget-friendly and easy to manage while offering substantial returns.
16. Co-sponsored giveaway
Co-sponsored giveaways are joint ventures between two or more businesses. This approach is highly recommended for small businesses as it allows sharing the workload and amplifying the impact.
Giveaways are highly effective as collaborative marketing initiatives.
With multiple businesses pooling resources, you can offer a more enticing prize and gain exposure to each other’s networks.
Co-sponsored giveaways are particularly effective on social media but can also be successful in-person or through email campaigns.
17. Tag us in your post giveaways
These giveaways are fantastic for generating UGC. Encourage followers to tag your brand’s social media handle or a branded hashtag in their posts for a chance to win. Share the content on your own channels for increased visibility. These are simple to run. Clearly state that tagging implies consent for you to re-share the content. Don’t forget to highlight the winners to maintain transparency and generate additional buzz.
18. Tag-a-friend giveaways
These are ubiquitous on platforms like Instagram and TikTok because they’re exceptionally effective at exponentially growing your social media following.
Leverage tag-a-friend giveaways to rapidly expand your social media presence.
Keep instructions straightforward. Asking participants to follow multiple accounts, like various posts, and share the content might be excessive unless the prize is truly exceptional.
Combine this with a co-sponsored giveaway for an even greater impact.
19. Giveaway for feedback
Customer Online reviews are incredibly valuable. They build trust with potential buyers and contribute to local search engine rankings. Offer incentives for reviews to quickly gather feedback. Simply require a review as an entry requirement for your giveaway. Exercise caution: avoid appearing to solicit biased reviews. Platforms like Yelp might prohibit this tactic. Furthermore, ensure your product and service are top-notch to avoid attracting negative reviews.
20. Free information giveaway
This budget-friendly option leverages your expertise. Create a valuable resource for your target audience, such as an ebook, template, or informative guide. For example, a chiropractor could offer a PDF on “10 Daily Habits for a Healthy Back.” Use a website popup or lead magnet to collect email addresses in exchange for the download. Unsure what to create? Address the top five questions your customers ask most frequently.
21. Free trial
A classic sales principle suggests that putting your product directly into a prospect’s hands significantly increases conversion rates. Free trial giveaways achieve this. Allow website registrants to experience your product or service firsthand. If they love it, they’ll likely convert into paying customers. This is common in software but can be adapted for physical products too. Offer trial sizes as gifts with purchases to broaden reach.
22. Free quote
This often-overlooked giveaway can be a game-changer, especially if competitors typically charge for quotes.
Don’t underestimate the power of a free quote.
Besides attracting potential customers, it creates a barrier to entry for your competitors—once a customer has your quote, they’re less likely to seek another.
Cool giveaway ideas
Here are some fun and engaging giveaway ideas your audience will love.
23. Quiz/trivia
Engage your audience with a quiz or trivia about your brand or industry. Align the questions with your unique selling proposition so participants learn about what sets you apart. For example, if your company’s longevity and diverse services are key differentiators, ask participants to guess the year your company was founded and the number of services you offer. Select a winner from the correct answers and award a prize.
24. Choose your own gift
Remember the joy of choosing a special treat? Replicate that excitement by allowing giveaway winners to select their prize from a curated list of options.
Elevate excitement by allowing customers to select their reward.
Ideally, the list features your products. However, you can also curate a selection of seasonal items or a themed collection.
25. Scavenger hunt
Scavenger hunts are inherently engaging. Hide clues on your website and task participants with finding them. For co-sponsored events, distribute clues across multiple websites. Award a prize to the first to complete the hunt. Keep it time-sensitive to prevent answer sharing, and generate excitement beforehand to maximize participation.
26. Photo or video contest
Elevate UGC campaigns by turning them into contests. Offer a prize for the best photo or video submission. The competitive element encourages higher-quality submissions and generates double the engagement as participants eagerly await the results.
27. Nominate a hero
Showcase your brand’s values and connect with your audience by hosting a “nominate a hero” giveaway.
While hero nomination giveaways require more effort, the rewards are significant.
Ask your followers to nominate individuals they deem heroic and explain why. Select a winner (or multiple winners) to receive a prize, and share their stories. If possible, capture a video of the hero receiving their reward. Consider creating a dedicated webpage to showcase all nominees.
Unique giveaway ideas
In a crowded digital space, standing out is crucial. These distinctive giveaway ideas are sure to capture attention.
28. Gamified giveaway
Gamification introduces game mechanics to enhance engagement. Spinning a wheel for a discount or freebie is a common example.
Digital scratch-off cards introduce an element of fun to traditional sweepstakes.
Explore creative options like digital scratch-off tickets that reveal rewards or point systems that encourage purchases and engagement. Anything that adds an interactive element beyond simply receiving a freebie is worth considering.
29. Caption this photo
A simple yet effective engagement booster, a caption contest involves posting an intriguing photo and asking your audience to provide the best caption. Select the winner based on creativity and award a prize. The lighthearted nature of this giveaway encourages participation even with small rewards. Monitor submissions closely to ensure they’re appropriate for your brand.
30. Brand ambassadorship giveaway
Instead of simply partnering with ambassadors, turn it into a contest.
Who wouldn’t want to be a B.A.R.K Ranger?
Scale the giveaway to your needs. Offer small gifts to all who complete a task or host a large-scale contest where the winner represents your brand for a year, sharing their experiences and receiving compensation.
31. Do a good deed giveaway
Tap into the spirit of kindness by encouraging good deeds. Ask followers to perform acts of kindness, document them, and share for a chance to win a prize. Amplify the impact by offering a second gift for the winner to give to a loved one. This giveaway fosters positivity and generates goodwill for your brand.
The best giveaway idea is up to you
The most effective giveaway strategy aligns with your brand, goals, and preferences. Prioritize clear communication, transparency, and follow-through to ensure a positive experience for all involved.
Here’s a reminder of those awesome giveaway ideas:
- Sweepstakes
- Customer loyalty giveaway
- Holiday-themed giveaway
- The year’s supply giveaway
- Buy one, get one free
- Free upgrade
- Free product with purchase
- Product bundle giveaway
- Surprise discount or coupon code
- Branded swag giveaway
- Refer-a-friend giveaway
- Influencer giveaway
- Buy a gift, get a gift
- Appreciation giveaway
- Reengagement giveaway
- Co-sponsored giveaway
- Tag us in your post
- Tag-a-friend
- Giveaway for feedback
- Free information giveaway
- Free trial
- Free quote
- Quiz/trivia
- Choose your own gift
- Scavenger hunt
- Photo or video contest
- Nominate a hero
- Gamified giveaway
- Caption this photo
- Brand ambassadorship giveaway
- Do a good dead giveaway