There’s a lot on your plate during the holidays (we mean that figuratively, but it’s probably also literally true!). As a business owner, is it worth adding even MORE to your to-do list by tackling a holiday giveaway? We say yes, it’s worth the effort! And this isn’t a strategy for the select few. Any product or service-based businesses can host a giveaway–truly!

Giveaways = exposure for your business. 

Holiday giveaways can be really fun. Get creative with it! Giveaways are also a way to give back to your customer base/audience. In the process of hosting a giveaway, you will gain brand awareness and brand loyalty. And in case you’re worried about losing revenue by giving stuff away, don’t be.

A good giveaway can actually boost sales. Giveaways create not only brand awareness but also a sort of urge to reciprocate by giving your brand some business down the road. Because you gave something away for nothing, your new or existing customers now feel like they kind of owe you one! It’s not a high-pressure sort of situation at all, it’s just human nature to want to return favors.

Here are some tips to maximize your holiday giveaway this year!

1. Plan, plan, plan! Having a plan is more than a good idea, it’s the only way to make sure you have the best giveaway possible. Having a plan means putting serious thought into what the giveaway will be and how it will connect with your audience, planning out how you’re going to promote your giveaway, and knowing exactly how you’re going to execute it (how you’ll select a winner, etc.).
2. Offer a great prize that benefits clients and, ideally, helps them get to know your business better. For instance, if you make candles, give away a free, full-size product! If you’re a business coach, offer a free 1:1 consultation.
3. Make sure you “win” too. Don’t forget to answer the question: What’s in it for my business? Whether you gain email subscribers, visibility, or trust, make sure the giveaway will benefit your brand in one or more ways.
4. Make it fun and easy! A boring giveaway won’t gain a lot of traction, so the more exciting and shareable your giveaway is, the better! Also, no one wants to do a ton of work to enter, so it’s best to make it SIMPLE and straightforward.

Take it from us! Giveaways are good.

NEAT recently worked with a PR client to host a giveaway, and we were able to get her podcast ranked at No. 20 on the podcast charts on the first day of her podcast launch! This wasn’t luck at all, it was very strategic giveaway planning that helped our client smash her launch goals.

While you can do a giveaway any time of year and for any number of reasons, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to give something away and enjoy the kickbacks for your brand. For instance, this research suggests hosting a promotional giveaway results in 20 percent more word-of-mouth referrals! Now that’s holiday cheer to the small business owner’s ear!

Want to plan a holiday giveaway that will work for your business? Book a call with us!