A question I have heard over and over during the past few years is: “How do I start offering giveaways on my blog?” I get the impression that many new bloggers think you must have a big blog or super secret sources in order to host giveaways on your blog.
Well, guess what? There is no super secret society one must be admitted to in order to run giveaways and you don’t have to have amazing traffic, either.
No matter the size of your blog, if you’ve built up a loyal readership of people who respect your opinion, there are many companies who would love to offer a giveaway to your readers. They are excited to have the opportunity to showcase their product to your audience.
Here are four simple ways to get started offering blog giveaways:
1) Give something of your own away.
When I was very new to blogging and didn’t know any better, I often paid for my own giveaways. In fact, I often gave away products that I personally owned and no longer needed. I still do this almost every month, just for fun.
While this can get expensive — especially when you add on shipping costs — it is an excellent way to “get your feet wet” when it comes to giveaways. When you approach a company regarding running a giveaway (see next point), you’ll likely have better success in procuring a giveaway if you can show them that you’ve successfully run giveaways in the past.
If you use Swagbucks, you could give away a gift card you’ve earned through them. That way, it doesn’t cost you actual money out of pocket. And readers love gift card giveaways.
2) Approach companies and ask if they’ll run a giveaway.
If you don’t have companies beating your door down to request that you do a giveaway with them, start getting proactive! Have a product or website that you love, write and ask them if they’d consider running a giveaway on your blog. It’s that easy!
Be professional, be concise, and make sure to clearly explain how running a giveaway on your blog would be a win for their company. I’d recommend that you share your blog stats with them, link to a recent giveaway you’ve run, and share why you feel their product or website is well-suited to your blog’s audience. In addition, I’d state upfront two ideas you have for a giveaway but also convey that you’re open to other ideas they might have.
3) Ask for a contact from another blogger who has run a giveaway.
Has one of your blogging friends run a giveaway with a company that you think would also be a great fit for your blog? Ask them if they’d be willing to pass along their contact at that company to you.
Now, please don’t abuse this idea! Most bloggers are happy to share their contacts with you, but don’t expect or demand that they must share all their contacts with you as most bloggers work hard to establish relationships with PR and Advertising companies. But if they are willing to share, this can be a great way to get a direct contact for a person at a company or PR Agency which is likely interested in running giveaways on blogs.
4) Respond to a press release with a giveaway pitch.
Once you’ve been blogging for a little while, you’ll often begin to receive press releases about new products from companies and PR Agencies. If you’re interested in the product and think it would be a great fit for your blog’s audience, consider writing back and pitching a giveaway. Companies are sending out a press release to garner buzz for their product, so they’ll often bite on a giveaway pitch.
If you’re a new blogger or thinking about starting a blog, read my series on blogging.
Autumn says
Thank you for the ideas! I would have never thought to ask a company for help. I just wished you offered more ideas as to how to actually execute one.
Otherwise, Thank you for making this post. It was really well written and gives good starting small ideas.
Lynn says
Thank you for this! I just started a giveaway this week, giving away 3 of my favorite beauty products that I carry with me everywhere! Lol I’m doing with my own funding but nobody is biting just yet 🙁 patience huh? Lol but thank you for sharing, I will definitely have to get more proactive also in talking to companies. Have an amazing day!
Danielle says
Thanks for these tips! I was just wondering how I could do a giveaway, and then I found your article on Pinterest 🙂 -Danielle – dmbridal.com
B @ The Sequin Notebook says
Thanks for these tips! We are currently planning our first giveaway so this couldn’t have come at a better time 🙂
Michelle says
Thank you for your ongoing encouragement! This week I have a copy of your book to share with my readers (giveaway!)
Sharon@DiscoverExploreLearn says
Great tips! I also started by giving away items that I already had and loved.
I found sites such as Tomoson.com to be useful when I first started doing giveaways. They have a wide selection of products for review/giveaway that you can apply for.
Another option that has been very useful for me, is to join reputable blogging networks such as Mom Central, Double Duty Divas, Social Spark, and Mom Select. They often run campaigns that offer products to review and/or giveaway. This is a great way to have the opportunity to work with major brands.
CottageHomestead says
Thanks so much for these tips, it finally hit me this year that I could approach companies for giveaways, I have gotten several “no responses” but several have responded, which is encouraging!!!! Thank you so much for all of your helpful advice.
Crystal Paine says
Yay!
rebecca says
I was just wondering about this this week. Thanks!!!
Sarah E @The Teacher's Wife says
Thanks for sharing this, Crystal. I’ve been curious about how to get my feet wet with giveaways when I don’t have money to invest in them at this point. This was very helpful!
Eva says
Thank you for this insight! It can be intimidating to know where and how to start! Appreciate you laying it out there for new bloggers!
Debbie L. says
As someone on the “other side of the fence,” (i.e. I’m a freelance book publicist who often pitches bloggers on behalf of my publishing clients), one thing I would add is to be responsive, especially when you’re starting out. If a brand/publisher/etc. reaches out to you about doing a review or expresses interest in having you conduct a giveaway, or even requests advertising rates, take a minute to respond. If you’re not interested, a polite “no thank you, but please keep me in mind for future opportunities” reply will go far. You may not be interested in the current opportunity but another opportunity may arise and the publicist will remember you. I realize that larger bloggers may get a lot of requests and aren’t able to realistically respond to them all. If you’re in that situation, then it’s really helpful if you post your guidelines/requirements on your site. I always look for those.
I reached out just the other day to a blogger about an opportunity from a major publisher. She responded right away, expressed that she would love to do it but explained why she wouldn’t be able to this time. I thought of another project I have coming up and thought she might be a better fit for and mentioned to her that I’d contact her again soon about that opportunity. So, as publicists, we want to hear from you! I love to build relationships with bloggers!
Crystal Paine says
Great advice — thanks so much for sharing!
Johanna @ Nephilim the Remnants says
Great advice! Thanks Crystal for this post and Debbie for your comment too.
Kala says
Love this! I definitely plan to download this ebook!
Brittany Finn Cropenbaker says
Thank you so much for this great post! Something for me to consider down the road!
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
Thanks for this. I was just researching having a give away on our blog. I hope to have one in the next week. Yay! I’m so excited to read this.
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
Your blog post pushed me into figuring out how to run a contest. I just got one started tonight (giving away your book).
Crystal Paine says
Yay! {And thank you!}
Jennifer says
Thanks for this. I appreciate all the good advice on MSM but I especially relish the blogging tips you offer.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!