You may have a lot of different reasons to run giveaways or contests in your brand. Contests and giveaways are an excellent marketing tactic to grow brand awareness, increase sales and website traffic, supply your brand with new social media followers and grab the attention of new and existing customers.
Once you have set your giveaway goal and entry method, picking the right prize (especially on a budget) is the next task on your list. Choosing a prize for your contest or giveaway can be surprisingly tricky. You want to offer something that’s valuable enough to get lots of people to participate, but is still relevant enough that you’ll actually attract people from your target audience.
But how do you choose the right prize for your contest?
In this article we have collected over 100 giveaway and contest prize ideas and broke them down into different categories.
Prizes From Your Industry
Choosing a prize that fits into your industry will surely resonate most with your audience. Be sure to choose something that is close to the heart of your message and your people.
Those industry-related prizes could be:
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- Your Own Product: If you want to get people talking more about your product, you must give away your own product. This is an outstanding way to increase your product awareness. Also, if you’re about to release a new product or line, then running a contest and giving away your unique offering is a great way to find users who want to get their hands on your new product.
- Limited Edition Product: This is a great way to build excitement around your contest and increase entries.
- A Year’s Supply of Goods: A year’s supply of goods is a great way to encourage users to try your product and potentially become long-term customers.
- Gift Vouchers & Shopping Sprees: If you offer gift vouchers or shopping sprees for a wide range of products, you will help your contest appeal to a much broader market segment.
- Product Bundles: Offering product bundles will make your contest more enticing. Plus, you will be able to appeal and drive participation from a wider pool of consumers.
- Companion Products: Find relevant products to yours that your clients will like. For example, if you run streaming services, you can offer up home theatre equipment, or if you run business software services, you can offer office supply bundles.
- Collaborate to Offer B2B Bundles: The best prize you can offer when you run a collaborative giveaway is a bundle of products from you and all your partners.
- Free Service: If you want to pique some interest in your service and drive some action, fee services are a great way to do it.
- Coaching or Consulting Session: Not anyone can offer up your expert advice. Free coaching or mentoring can make for a grand prize that will also help you position yourself as an authority.
- Online Courses: Education is a very powerful marketing tool. Whatever your industry, there is a course you can give to your customers, or even better, create your own online course.
Subscription-Based Prize Ideas
Imagine yourself gaining a subscription-based prize in a company. What businesses achieve with such prizes is greater product exposure. And apart from that, you show appreciation to your fans and build loyalty with them. Here are some examples:
- Monthly or Yearly Subscription: This is a great way to put forward an attractive prize that will keep attention on your business.
- Upgraded membership: If someone from your clients wins a free upgrade, they won’t want to go back to the lower level.
- Related Products: Give related products to give more value to your service.
- Free Consulting Session: You will allow people to see the services you provide without reaching into their pockets.
- Branded Merchandise: Coffee mugs, pens, t-shirts, etc. with your company name and logo printed on them.
- Free Marketing Materials: Business cards, brochures, or posters.
Seasonal Prizes Ideas
Aligning your contest with a time of the year is an excellent way to build excitement for your campaign.
For example, summer is an excellent opportunity for families to go out and have fun. On the other hand, for winter, help people stay warm and comfortable with thoughtful prizes.
- Summer Vacation: Prizes like beach getaways are a grand prize that is bound to attract a whole lot of entries. Also, hotels or brands provide summer activities such as watersports and amusement parks.
- Family Activities: Trips to a zoo, aquarium, museum, water park, or amusement parks, day trips to beaches, water activities.
- Summer Supplies: Summer clothing, Picnic supplies, Summer beauty products, Outdoor furniture, camping and fishing gear, Bats, balls and other sports equipment, Inflatable pools, volleyball nets, soccer goals, and other backyard play equipment.
- School Supplies: books, binders, backpacks, stationery, and clothing.
- Fall: Tailgating gear — like portable tables and chairs, Fall food package, including cheeses, seasonal fruit, and apple cider, a Shopping spree for winter clothes, Gift certificates to grocery stores for Thanksgiving
- Cold Weather Care Package: Comfortable sweaters and jumpers, Blankets, Tea and coffee sets, Candles, Chocolates, Books
- Winter Gear: Winter jackets, ski and snow gear, snowboards and toboggans, Camping gear.
- Winter Vacation: Ski and snow trips, Relaxing retreats to a spa, Action-packed city vacations
- Christmas Shopping Spree: A free shopping spree will get people very excited about your campaign.
- Decorations & Supplies: Tinsel, snow globes, Christmas lights, tree ornaments, and other decorations, Gingerbread, candy canes, and other Christmas treats, Wrapping paper and ribbons.
- Awesome Prizes: An outstanding opportunity to drive action and connect with your audience.
- Spring: A landscaping package, a shopping spree for an updated wardrobe, tickets for spring-training events.
- Chocolate & Other Fun Prizes in the Easter season.
Prizes for Holidays and Special Days
Holidays and special days are a great time to hold contests. Everyone wants a present. Whisk a couple away for a lovely weekend away on Valentine’s day or hold a contest on Thanksgiving.
If your brand’s products don’t fit in as a typical Valentine’s Day present or prize, then it can be a good idea to go in the complete opposite direction.
- Thanksgiving: Free Catered Turkey Dinner, Kitchen Tools and Baking Sets, Thanksgiving Decor, Grocery Store Gift Certificates
- Halloween: Candy Basket, Tickets to a Haunted House or Halloween Party, Halloween Costumes for Kids or Pets, Bundle of Scary Movies
- Valentine’s Day Presents: Jewelry, Lingerie, Beauty products, Slippers, and a dressing gown for cozy nights in, Photo frames or albums.
- Date Night: A romantic dinner, some movie tickets, or any other romantic activity such as ice skating, a dancing class, or tickets to a show.
- Romantic Getaway: A romantic weekend away.
- Anti-Valentine’s Day Prizes: Video games or consoles, Board games, Cocktail mixers, kitchen appliances, beauty products, and relaxing bath accessories.
- New Year’s Day: Tickets to a New Year’s Eve Party, “New Year, New You” Package, Champagne Gift Basket
- Father’s Day: A beautiful watch, Gadgets, garden tools for landscapers, golf apparel.
- Mother’s Day: Spa treatments, Massage gift certificates, A girlfriend’s getaway, Shopping spree
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Exclusive deals and discounts in the lead up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Wedding οccasion: A package of thank-you notes, A wedding-planning guide, Gift certificates to a popular photographer or dress alterations specialist), A wedding dress giveaway.
There are a lot of other prizes you can think of based on different industries. Here are some examples:
Real Estate and Home Decor Prizes
People like taking care of their house and organizing their space. Therefore, real estate and home decor giveaways are viral. For example, prizes concerning home organizing are sure to get people talking about your business.
Here are some ideas on home decor prizes ideas:
- Home Makeover
- Professional Organizing Service
- Free Cleaning Services for a Year
- New Appliances for the kitchen
Restaurant Prize Ideas
Restaurants have one of the most visually appealing and universally desirable products of any industry.
That makes them the perfect business type to find success with online giveaways.
- Free appetizers or drinks for a year
- A “dinner and a movie” package
- Reservation to an exclusive event in a restaurant
- Thanksgiving dinner or wedding dinner
- Luxury Experience (e.g., a meal at the best seats with a bottle of fine wine and a private serving team)
Family and Parenting Prize Ideas
Among your audience are certainly many parents. Give them some prizes to help them with their daily routine at home.
From Breastfeeding to on-the-go guides for raising toddlers, it is certain that those prizes are memorable!
- A shopping spree for a toy shop
- Pediatrician & School Psychologist Tested Tips
- A family-friendly vacation
- A gift bag with bottles, swaddling blankets, and bibs
- Essential furniture
- Baby-proofing kit
Health and Fitness Prize Ideas
Promote health and fitness at home, at work, and on the go with budget-friendly incentives that encourage good habits.
Prizes around sports and exercise, healthy eating, general healthcare or even just promoting the ‘keep fit’ message, can become really memorable.
- Personal training sessions
- A set of exercise accessories
- Gym or studio membership for several months
- A package of nutrients or supplements
- Home workout plans or videos
Special Activities Prize Ideas
We all love football and hockey, but what about some alternative sports? Special activities is another excellent prize idea. Unique, uncommon and exciting one-off activities or experiences are a great way to enthuse your customer-base.
Sometimes just sitting comfortably on a couch isn’t what your audience is looking for.
- Skydiving
- Hot air balloon rides
- Helicopter tours
- Scuba/snorkeling tours
- Skiing
- Cruises tours
- Family activities, team building, etc.
Pet Care Prize Ideas
What if you are in the pet-care business?
Pets are like family for most homes, and this shows in how much they care about them. Offering something for both the owner and the pet is a great plus.
And, for when, having a pet can be a stressful and exhausting experience, here are just a few ways to help people take care of their pets.
- A puppy-preparedness kit
- A gift card for PetSmart or Chewy
- A box of pet toys
- A subscription to a service like Barkbox
- A leather collar or leash
- Pet training sessions
- A pet photoshoot
Photography Prize Ideas
Even if you are not in the photography business, a photoshoot giveaway might make sense for you. Everyone loves the attention and making your audience feel special is the best way to get high engagement in a giveaway.
So, Give them the opportunity to gain a professional photo shooting, which they will remember forever!
- New baby photoshoot
- Family photoshoot
- Free photo editing with a paid shoot
- A photoshoot for Friend’s Day
- “Girls weekend” with a professional photoshoot
- Free framing of photos
- Partner with a hairdresser or makeup artist to give away a photoshoot
Additionally you can check this list with the best gift ideas for photographers with more ideas, products or services you can use as a prize for your giveaway.
Hospitality and SPA Prize Ideas
Medical spas are an emerging trend. Exercises, healthy food, relaxing and good sleep are the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle”. That sounds fantastic but is missing one vital thing, two hours a week at the Spa!
People come out of spas feeling greater than ever. Why not give them this great opportunity?
- “Girls Weekend” spa day
- A Night Stay in a luxurious hotel
- A relaxing weekend package
- Sports therapy session
- A package to a theme park
- Upgrade to an expensive room
- Free spa massage
- Mother’s day spa day giveaway
- Swedish massage
Dental/Cosmetic Prizes
Cosmetic presents are one the best giveaways. People spend hundreds of money each year on cosmetics. So this is one of the best prizes to draw people’s attention to you.
- Teeth whitening
- Back-to-school dental care
- Cash toward any treatment
- Cosmetic treatment
- 50% off treatment of your choice
- A new smile
- Tooth implants
Prizes for All Occasions
What if there is no specific prize you can think about?
Then, you can go for a generic popular product, a gift card, money or collaborative gift. Here are some ideas on those:
- Popular Products like iPhones: An outstanding way to attract a lot of attention from a wide audience and maximize participation.
- Collaborate to Offer B2B Bundles: This is a brilliant way to gain massive exposure from your partners’ audiences.
- Gift Cards: Visa gift card, which can be spent anywhere, or a gift card for your own products or services.
- Money: This is another excellent way to attract a wide range of people to your contest.
How to Choose the Right Prize for your Giveaway
When you decide on the prize, you’ll need to think if it is valuable enough to make entry worthwhile for every relevant user. Τhe more you’re asking users to do, the more valuable your prize should be.
You can offer up your own product as a prize, or use one of the many other brilliant prize ideas we offer up below. The type of prize you offer depends on who your target audience is, and what best aligns with your brand and products.
Selecting the perfect prize for your giveaway is crucial to its success. The right prize not only attracts participants but also ensures that those who enter are genuinely interested in your brand and offerings. Here are some key considerations to help you choose the ideal prize:
1. Understand Your Target Audience
Before deciding on a prize, it’s essential to know who your target audience is. Consider their interests, needs, and preferences.
- Demographics: Age, gender, location, and income level can influence what prizes are appealing.
- Interests and Hobbies: Align the prize with what your audience is passionate about.
- Needs and Pain Points: Offer a prize that solves a problem or fulfills a need for your audience.
By tailoring the prize to your audience, you increase the likelihood of attracting participants who are genuinely interested in your brand.
2. Align the Prize with Your Brand
Choose a prize that reflects your brand’s values and products. This ensures that participants are potential customers who are interested in what you offer.
- Brand Relevance: A prize related to your products or services keeps the focus on your brand.
- Product Promotion: Offering your own products as prizes can showcase their value and encourage future purchases.
- Brand Values: If your brand promotes sustainability, consider eco-friendly prizes.
This alignment strengthens brand recognition and attracts participants who are more likely to become loyal customers.
3. Consider the Value of the Prize
The prize should be valuable enough to motivate participation but also appropriate for the effort required to enter.
- Perceived Value: A high-value prize can increase excitement and participation.
- Entry Effort: The more complex the entry process, the more valuable the prize should be.
- Budget-Friendly Options: If budget is a concern, consider offering exclusive experiences or limited-time offers.
Balancing the prize’s value with the entry requirements ensures participants feel their effort is worthwhile.
4. Set Clear Giveaway Goals
Define what you want to achieve with your giveaway.
- Increase Brand Awareness: Choose a prize that will attract attention and shares.
- Boost Sales: Offer a prize that encourages purchases, like a gift card or discount.
- Grow Your Email List: Use a prize that incentivizes sign-ups.
- Engage Your Community: Prizes that encourage user interaction can deepen engagement.
Having clear goals helps in selecting a prize that aligns with your desired outcomes.
5. Stay Within Budget
While it’s tempting to offer extravagant prizes, ensure that the cost aligns with your budget and expected return on investment.
- Total Costs: Include the prize cost, shipping, and any associated fees.
- ROI Consideration: Balance the prize value with the potential benefits to your business.
- Sponsorships: Partner with other businesses to offer bigger prizes without bearing the full cost.
Careful budgeting ensures your giveaway is financially sustainable.
6. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Ensure your giveaway complies with all relevant laws and platform policies.
- Official Rules: Clearly state the terms and conditions.
- Compliance: Adhere to legal requirements for contests and giveaways in your region.
- Transparency: Be honest about the prize and how the winner will be selected.
- Privacy Policies: Inform participants how their data will be used.
Compliance builds trust and protects your business from legal issues.
7. Test and Optimize
Experiment with different prizes to see what resonates best with your audience.
- A/B Testing: Run similar giveaways with different prizes to compare results.
- Feedback Collection: Ask participants what types of prizes they prefer.
- Analyze Metrics: Monitor participation rates and engagement to assess effectiveness.
Continuous improvement leads to more successful giveaways over time.
8. Leverage Scarcity and Exclusivity
Offering a limited edition or exclusive prize can create a sense of urgency and increase participation.
- Limited Availability: Prizes that aren’t easily accessible elsewhere can be more enticing.
- Exclusive Experiences: Consider offering experiences that money can’t buy.
- Early Bird Specials: Reward early participants with additional perks.
Scarcity can motivate quick action and higher engagement.
9. Consider Logistics
Think about how you’ll deliver the prize to the winner.
- Shipping Costs: For physical prizes, consider the cost and feasibility of shipping.
- Digital Prizes: E-books, online courses, or gift cards can be delivered electronically, saving time and money.
- International Participants: Be clear about any location restrictions for prize delivery.
Efficient logistics ensure a smooth experience for both you and the winner.
10. Promote the Prize Effectively
Even the most exciting prize won’t attract participants if they don’t know about it.
- Visual Appeal: Use high-quality images to showcase the prize.
- Clear Descriptions: Provide detailed information about the prize to generate excitement.
- Marketing Channels: Leverage social media, email newsletters, and your website to spread the word.
- Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with influencers who can promote your giveaway to a wider audience.
Effective promotion maximizes the reach and impact of your giveaway.
11. Keep It Simple
A straightforward prize that’s easy to understand can be more appealing than something complex.
- Clarity: Ensure participants know exactly what they can win.
- Avoid Confusion: Steer clear of prizes with complicated terms or conditions.
- Simple Entry Process: The easier it is to enter, the more participants you’ll attract.
Simplicity can lead to higher participation rates and a better overall experience.
12. Think Long-Term
Consider how the prize can contribute to long-term engagement with your brand.
- Subscription Services: Offer a trial period of your service to encourage ongoing use.
- Future Discounts: Provide vouchers or discounts for future purchases.
- Community Building: Use the giveaway to foster a community around your brand.
Long-term strategies turn participants into loyal customers.
Choosing the right prize for your giveaway involves balancing value, relevance, and appeal to your target audience. By considering your audience’s interests, aligning the prize with your brand, and ensuring the prize motivates the desired action, you’ll set the stage for a successful giveaway that not only attracts participants but also fosters long-term engagement with your brand.
Conclusion
There are literally endless ideas of prizes and our list could go on and on!
In the case you offer physical products, the costs involved might be branded with your company’s logo. In case you offer a digital product, for example an online course, you need to select a product that is somehow connected with your brand, company, or service.
No matter what prize you choose, the secret ingredient of success in your contests is one: To find a prize that is relevant to your brand and will appeal to your audience.
Your contest should appeal to the users who are likely to take an interest in your brand or products. You wouldn’t want mass entries for the sake of entries. So, our last advice is to focus on the right audience.
