There are a lot of things that come into play when creating a successful marketing strategy. One of such things is giveaways.
One of the ways to get your customer’s attention is to give them something for free. Everyone appreciates the value that they didn’t have to pay for no matter how little it is.
So, while you creating ads, email campaigns, content calendars, etc., do not forget to add giveaways to the list.
How do giveaways work?
People love the idea of getting something at zero cost. Think about the last time someone gave you a gift. Remember how excited you were? That is how your customers or prospects feels when you give them something that is valuable to them for free.
Since giveaways do not seem like selling, your customers do not put up a wall of resistance.
If there is anything giveaways can help you achieve, it is drawing attention to your business. Not only do people show interest in your brand, but they also begin to tell their family and friends about your brand and what you are offering.
You get publicity for free also and the best kind if you ask me. Referrals work better most of the time than your ads.
Giveaways help to engage your customers in an interesting way and attract new business at the same time.
They could be a chance to expand your reach on social media. The truth is giveaways helps to achieve most of your marketing goals. All you have to do is create your giveaways putting into consideration, the goal you intend to achieve.
What do you need for a successful giveaway?
There are a lot of things that come into play when putting together a giveaway. However, there are three important things that every successful giveaway must have. They are:
1. Well-defined goals
Your giveaway should be hinged on a goal it is set to achieve.
What do you want your giveaway to do for you? Do you want to increase your social following, create buzz around a new product, increase engagement rates, grow your email marketing list? etc. – whatever it is, make sure you are certain about it before you do anything.
2. A fun but valuable prize
You need to be sure what you are giving away.
The idea is to make the giveaway exciting but something of real value to your customers. You could give away a limited-edition product, Gift cards, travel tickets, once in a lifetime opportunity, etc.
3. Partnerships with influencers
It is true that you can execute a giveaway without an influencer.
But you should know that partnering with influencers give your giveaway an extra reach, extra publicity, and makes it much more exciting.
If you need more info about working with influencers, please click on this article: How to Grow Your Brand with Influencer Marketing
What giveaway ideas can you use for your brand?
The truth is, there are a whole lot of giveaway ideas. I would be giving you some of them shortly. You can decide to use these or go creative and do something different. The key is to make it exciting, but at the same time, valuable.
Let’s get down to these giveaway ideas.
1. Give away coupons
This is very important.
People love discounts and when it is for a great product, it is highly appreciated. Who doesn’t want to buy their favourite tee, or makeup kit at a lower price?
You can create a contest for people to enter and win the coupon or ask them to give their email address in exchange for it.
Not only will customers be eager to buy your products, but they will also be willing to check out other items as well.
2. Create a themed bundle of items
Giving out themed prizes is one give away idea that never goes out of style.
What you need to do is create a bundle of items that are somehow related to one another. This is way irresistible than just one item.
For example, if you are giving away a free dinner for two, you can add a free ride to and from the restaurant, a free basket of goodies after dinner, etc.
This makes the customer feel more special. What you are giving away could be anything from a product to its accessories or things related to a season or holiday.
3. Do a photo/video contest
Photo/video contests are great giveaway entries.
Not only do photos of your customers serve as user-generated content, but they also show you a different side of your customers and helps you understand them better.
You can carry out such contests on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
You can ask them to post a photo or video with your product and answer a question. This is very interactive and gives your customers the opportunity to connect with your business in a creative way.
4. Hashtag contest
You can also run a hashtag contest.
All you have to do is think of a creative and hashtag contest that speaks to your business and ask your customers and your social following to make a post using that hashtag.
It could be a video, picture or text -whichever you decide.
The good thing about the hashtag contest is that it will help you track your social media engagement and enhance brand awareness.
5. Give out items with your brand’s logo on them
Giving out items with your brand on them is another thing you can giveaway and it works especially if you have dedicated followers of your brand. It could be a pen, mug, t-shirt, bag, etc.
Giving your customers such items makes them feel like they are a part of your company. This special feeling helps to tighten the bond between you and your customers.
Also, this puts your brand in front of their faces even within their personal space.
What other things do you need to do?
Here are some things you need to do before launching your giveaway:
- Choose what kind of contest you want to use as a yardstick for the giveaway
- Decide if you will need sponsors to donate the prizes for the giveaways and help promote it.
- Decide what the prize for the giveaway will be.
- Decide how long it will run
- Decide how many people can win the giveaway.
- Decide channels through which you will promote it.
- Get your graphics and platforms ready.
- Pick a launch date and begin promoting (preferably a month ahead of time)
You should also note that you do not have to spend a lot on a giveaway. There are ways to give prizes without spending so much. You can partner with a non-competing vendor who wants the same customers, include other businesses to split the cost, get a wholesale license to acquire goods cheaply, or get sponsors to donate the prizes.
In conclusion
You can do your own giveaway for your brand, just put in mind that you have to make it fun and be very creative.
Also, make sure that it is something valuable. With that, you are good to go.
If you have any questions with your giveaway, leave a comment and let’s talk.
