Business giveaways are a great way to engage with your existing customer base and attract new business at the same time.
Implementing the right business giveaway ideas gives you the chance to expand your brand’s reach in a fun way. Also, it doesn’t act as an overt marketing pitch like some traditional advertising options. For example, freebies don’t seem very transactional, even if you’re looking to get an email address or social following in exchange for your entry.
Additionally, you can reach out to different people by running company giveaways. marketing goals: Promote your products or services, reach new customers, grow your mailing list size, engage with your social media followers, or connect with other local businesses.
business giveaway ideas
Sweepstakes
The premise of the sweepstakes is simple. Each customer will have one chance to participate by taking some action on the business, such as providing an email address or following a social media account, and will select a winner at the end of a given time frame The prize must be company related, such as a free product or business service. Sweepstakes can be done in person, where people come to a physical store and put their name in a bowl, or online through their social media accounts.
lottery
An in-store raffle allows you to give customers an entry to win a prize whenever they perform a certain action during a certain period of time. Actions include making a purchase, bringing a reusable bag, choosing paperless his receipts, following social channels, signing up for his mailing list, and referring new customers. Allowing multiple entries can facilitate more transactions with your business. It’s up to you what to give as a gift. For example, a discount on your next purchase or a free offer up to a certain price.
photo contest
For this digital giveaway idea, ask your customers to take pictures of your products and share them on social media. Then pick someone randomly or pick your favorite post as the winner. Make sure they tag your business and follow your business page when they share a photo. That way you can keep track of your entries. That way, your business will be more engaged.
surprise coupon
Encourage purchases by offering surprise coupons in person or via email when customers walk into your store. You can also encourage repeat visits by offering your customers coupons that discount their next purchase.
quiz
Emailing customers quizzes and surveys is a great way to find out what patrons like and dislike about your business, what could be improved, and suggestions for future products and services. As a reward for participating, you can offer a discount on your next purchase, a free service, or another incentive.
Contest
Need help coming up with a name for your new product, company mascot, or brand campaign? Ask your customers to mix their ideas in person or on social media. You can get new ideas for your business, and in return you can offer free products or gift cards to customers with winning ideas.
Free product with purchase
You can increase sales for your business by offering freebies when your customers make a purchase. Branded company memorabilia such as totes and water bottles can help spread the word about your business while rewarding customers for shopping.
Spin the wheel of offers
If you’re feeling creative and want people to visit and interact with your business, consider creating a wheel with different rewards that customers can spin to reveal prizes. You can give a portion of the goods or services your business offers, or a gift card or coupon that can be used at the time of purchase. You can also choose branded accessories.
Tips for a successful business giveaway
decide on a platform
Whether the gift is delivered in person or through digital means is highly dependent on resources, goals and customer behavior. For example, if you’re trying to grow your Instagram followers and engagement, your giveaways should be posted on that platform. When you’re growing your brand for the first time, partnering with another small business on joint giveaways may help. Cross-promotion can help expose your brand to new audiences and grow your following.
If you don’t want to use social media channels or don’t have a physical store, you can also consider using third-party giveaway sites to facilitate online giveaways. These websites can help you host giveaways or partner with other brands.
In-person gifts make the most sense if you want to drive more foot traffic to your store. Another advantage is that there is no cost to ship prizes or promotions to winners. Winners can take home from your store.
Please select input parameters
Decide on the action you want your customers to take in your business and create your giveaway based on that. For example, if you want to boost your sales, you can consider a free gift with your purchase. Other actions are:
-
Refer a friend to your business.
-
Subscribe to marketing emails.
-
Follow the brand’s social media channels.
-
Tag your friends in the comments of your posts.
-
Post a product photo or photo of your interaction with the business and tag the business.
-
Repost branded content in Stories.
-
Like your business post
don’t forget the rules
Your business giveaway will require terms and conditions for participants, especially if it’s online. Most can be generated from templates available online, but should be readable by participants .to your company business websiteconsider posting your terms of service there and direct people to the link via your social media pages.
A version of this article originally appeared on Fundera, a subsidiary of NerdWallet. Katie Campbell contributed to this article.