116 Giveaway Promotion Ideas To Grow Brand Awareness

Everybody loves to get something for free. Winning a contest is an exciting experience, no matter what prize is being given away. Businesses often capitalize on the excitement that comes from winning something by offering giveaways to their customers and followers.

In this article, we discuss when to use giveaways and some of the best giveaway ideas.

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When to use giveaways

A giveaway is any type of product being given to another person, often by a company. Businesses across all industries use giveaways to boost client retention and satisfaction, maintain customer loyalty and develop enhanced brand awareness. Sponsoring a giveaway can also help participants remember a certain business or brand, and being memorable can translate into more sales and opportunities.

You can use giveaways in a number of situations. If you are attending a trade show or another similar type of event, you might want to bring giveaways to hand out to anyone who visits your booth or engages with you in some way. An on-site visit with a client often goes over better when you bring something to express your appreciation for their business. You can also sponsor giveaways through your social media accounts or digital marketing efforts.

Branded giveaways can generate brand awareness and keep your company on the minds of those who receive these items. You can brand many giveaway options with a company logo or colors.

Related: 29 Ways To Drive Traffic to Your Website

Top 30 giveaway ideas

The giveaway industry is constantly evolving, thanks to the changing needs and desires of consumers. What was popular as a giveaway 10 years ago may not be as appealing to today's customers, so keeping up with the trends can help you ensure that what you are offering to participants will be worth their participation in the contest. Some of the current top giveaway ideas include:

• Offering a coupon code

• Asking followers to participate in photo contests

• Requesting captions for photos

• Using a photo booth and print branded photos

• Giving something free with a purchase

• Offering a gift card to the business sponsoring the giveaway or to another location

• Requesting feedback and giving something in return

• Asking participants to share their ideas to improve the company's offerings

• Using gamification elements to intrigue and engage participants

• Directing users to your website to enter the giveaway, where they might make a purchase or investigate what you offer

• Using the content to create a sense of urgency to enter the giveaway contest

• Using multiple channels to appeal to a wider audience (Younger participants might enter on TikTok, while older participants might use Facebook to enter)

• Offering a limited-edition item as a giveaway with a purchase

• Giving away company-branded swag to customers and/or employees

• Provide something in exchange for a referral, such as a discount code or free gift

• Asking participants to tag a friend or share the content with their followers in exchange for a gift

• Offering tickets to a local event

• Spin the wheel game with several different prize options

• Giving away a barbecue grill or grilling package

• Offering a service, such as a free oil change or house cleaning

• Offering a one-of-a-kind or special edition product in exchange for a referral

• Launching a giveaway in advance of a new product release to generate excitement

• Partnering with other brands to offer a bigger giveaway through a shared budget

• Co-sponsoring a giveaway contest with another local business

• Leading participants on a scavenger hunt to find clues in a particular area

• Asking trivia questions about your business or the industry in which you operate and giving prizes to those who answer correctly

• Partnering with brand ambassadors or influencers to share content with their followers in exchange for giveaways

• Cash prize as part of a contest during an event

• Charity donation to NGO of choice

• An experience, such as a trip or activity

Related: Creating a Successful Social Media Marketing Strategy

50 social media giveaway ideas

When you are giving something away on social media, you may want to stick to smaller items since you might have to ship them to the winners. Many social media contests include people from all over the country, as social media is a way to connect followers from various locations. You could also consider giveaways that can be shared digitally. Try launching a hashtag contest with a prize for the best post. Make sure to use something specific and unique to the campaign to avoid generic content getting mixed into the feed.

Ideas for giveaways for social media contests include:

• Smaller branded swag items (pens, cups, notepads or notebooks)

• Digital tickets to an event

• Digital movie tickets

• Gift cards

• Gift baskets

• Bottles of wine and champagne

• Jewelry pieces

• A bouquet of flowers or a gift card to a floral company

• A gift card to a local restaurant

• A shopping spree at a local store

• A gift card to a local spa

• Holiday-themed basket or gift

• Kitchen tools

• Baking supplies

• Baked goods from or a gift card to a local bakery

• Candy

• Pet supplies

• Mug or drinking tumbler

• Reusable bag

• T-shirt

• Sweatshirt

• Hat or visor

• Socks

• Vest

• Reusable water bottle

• Sunscreen

• Lip balm

• Exclusive discount codes

• Golf balls

• Umbrella

• First-aid kit

• Sunglasses

• Stuffed toys

• Day planners

• Snack boxes

• Coolers and cooler bags

• Reusable metal straw

• Magnet

• Calendar

• Throw blanket

• Keychain

• Stress ball

• Towel

• Sticker

• Hand sanitizer or lotion

• Sticky notes

• Can koozie

• Chip clip

• Baseball or basketball

• Letter opener

You can theme your social media giveaways around specific happenings in your area or upcoming holidays. Many companies host special giveaways around each holiday with themed prizes, such as tickets to a local haunted attraction around Halloween or a turkey dinner around Thanksgiving.

Related: 10 Types of Social Media to Promote Your Brand

25 techy giveaway ideas

Tech-themed giveaways are especially popular because people rely so heavily on their electronic devices to stay connected and entertained. Consider some of the most popular techy giveaways, especially if your brand is in the technology industry.

• Mobile power bank

• Earbuds or headphones

• Wireless charging pad

• Backpack or laptop bag

• Mouse pad with wrist wrest

• Flash drive

• Wireless speaker

• Webcam cover

• Screen cleaning products (wipes, spray or microfiber cloth)

• Charging cables (an all-in-one cable ensures it will fit any device)

• Cell phone case

• Tablet case or holder

• Laptop sleeve

• Phone stand

• Phone grip

• Adhesive phone wallet

• Charging wall adapter

• Smart plug with USB connection

• USB hub

• Headphone case

• Selfie ring light

• Selfie stick

• Stylus

• Water-resistant device pouch

• Device holder for the car

Related: How To Measure Brand Awareness in 11 Different Ways

11 high-end giveaway ideas

When you really want to appeal to your audience and get more participants in your giveaway, consider giving away something that has a high value. You might consider requiring entrants to take more steps to enter, such as liking the post on social media or sharing information with multiple people. Ideas include:

• Designer item (sunglasses, wallets, handbags)

• High-value gift card

• Golf bag

• An all-expense paid trip or vacation to an appealing location

• Tablet computer

• Cell phone

• Laptop computer

• Membership to club

• Cash

• High-end cooler

• Appliance