How to run a successful Giveaway
Want to know how to run a giveaway on Instagram & gain followers?
Running an Instagram giveaway or contest is a strategic way to engage your audience and help grow your following.
Plus, it’s a fun way to give back to your followers, celebrate a milestone and create awareness around your account or brand.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to show you how to put on your own giveaway successfully.
Step 1 - Choose your prize
Make sure there's enough incentive to enter and consider who will enter.
If your main objective is to increase your following, you need to think about who you want as a follower and make your prize attractive to them. There’s no point giving away a men’s shaving pack if your ideal follower is a female between the age of 20-30 years.
You can giveaway a single prize or collaborate with multiple accounts and giveaway a big prize bundle.
If you wish to collaborate with other accounts or businesses the next step would be to reach out and invite people to join your giveaway. You can ask them to contribute a product of their choosing, it can be to a certain value, or even cash payment to go towards your prize.
As the organiser, you can ultimately make all decisions for your giveaway.
Step 2 - Decide on entry requirements
Make it easy to enter with numbered step by step instructions on their own line.
Less important terms like official rules can be noted down below in the caption, ensuring followers don’t get bogged down.
Be sure to include a statement acknowledging that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.
Step 3 - Design Your Graphic
Make it stand out!
Use an attractive image image & efficient text on the post to capture attention and announce the giveaway. I recommend using CANVA, its simple and easy to create an eye-catching graphic.
Step 4 - Post Your Giveaway
Post your giveaway at optimal time for best results.
Check your insights and post when your followers are most active to ensure the best results.
Step 5 - Create a reminder post
Depending how long your giveaway is running, you may like to share a reminder post or two throughout the giveaway.
Step 6 - Pick your winner or tally results
Finding a winner can be a piece of cake, or it can be a logistical nightmare – it all depends on your entry criteria and the volume of entrants.
If your entry terms require commenting to enter you can use FREE tools like Wask or Instagram Comment Picker. If however you have more complex terms of entry, eg. Comment, Like & Share to stories I recommend using a spreadsheet to keep track throughout the giveaway and then using a random number generator to select your winner
Step 7- Announce your winner!
Well, that’s it. You’ve ran your first Instagram giveaway and selected a lucky winner from the horde of entrants. All that’s left to do now is notify the lucky winner!
You can send the winner a direct message, but why not make an announcement! Design a graphic and share the winner with your audience for all to see!
BONUS TIP
Choose hashtags carefully!
While it’s tempting to use broad hashtags like #contest #win or #giveaway on your post you’ll likely be attracting users who are more interested in free stuff or even worse, creeps!
Instead, choose hashtags related to the products you’re giving away for example if you’re giving away nursery products you may use #nurseryinspo #nurserygoals and incorporate some locally or region based hashtags, eg #aussiegiveaway #aussiemums or hashtags that your ideal follower may be searching like #handmadeau #shopsmallau
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