Preparing to launch a new product? A Product Launch Giveaway is exactly what you need!

Giveaways attract large targeted audiences online. You can use a giveaway to direct that audience to your product page or collect email addresses to promote your product launch later. 

A giveaway can be the perfect companion to a product launch, and we will show you exactly why in this product launch giveaway guide. This guide also has directions on how to host a product launch giveaway. 

Read on to learn how a product launch giveaway can help you create a buzz around your new product while attracting a targeted audience of potential customers. 

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Why Host a Product Launch Giveaway?

New products are important to a business because they can help attract more customers and diversify a brand’s range or portfolio. 

Hosting a product launch giveaway can add to these benefits by generating instant enthusiasm and talking about the new offering. Giveaways may greatly increase brand recognition since participants share the offer with their networks, broadening your reach much beyond your current client base.

Product launch giveaways are so effective. For example, take a look at the KnivesShipFree giveaway:

KnivesShipFree Giveaway
Source: KnivesShipFree.com

Product Launch giveaways can increase brand awareness. For example, doing a product launch giveaway on Instagram can enable brands to ask users to tag other users, thus increasing engagement and overall organic reach. 

Product Launch giveaways are also more cost-effective as they don’t require much money to be spent. If you plan to promote your new product over the course of a few months, you can host small giveaways monthly to consistently attract 

Engaging directly with your audience through a giveaway helps you to get real-time feedback on your product, allowing you to make required changes before a larger launch.

An increase in traffic to your website and social media sites might boost your SEO.

Now the question is, who should host product launch giveaways?

VYPER Free Account Signup Taylor Swift

Who Should Host Product Launch Giveaways?

Loads of influencers and small businesses often host giveaways on their social media platforms. Some examples of these brands include: 

  • Makeup brands
  • Skincare brands
  • New businesses
  • Online courses and educational platforms
  • Fitness and health brands
  • Tech and gadget companies
  • Subscription companies

Here are a few product launch giveaway examples:

  • Music Software brands like Ableton and FL Studio can host a giveaway to celebrate the launch of their latest iteration (or software version). This strategy can also work for app or software makers who wish to promote new updates.
  • Smartphone brands can host giveaways in the weeks before the launch of their latest smartphones. A giveaway can also be announced on launch day to drum up even more hype for the product. Those who pre-order the phone can automatically be entered to win the product they pre-ordered. 
  • Musicians can give away concert tickets to promote the launch of their latest album. 
  • Movie Studios can give away movie tickets and more to create exposure for a new movie release. Cinelinx gave away a digital copy of The Fall Guy to promote the release of the movie (See screenshot below).
  • Merch brands or Influencers can giveaway items like t-shirts, mugs, etc., to create hype for the launch of a related property. For example, brands that make Star Wars merch can host a Star Wars giveaway close to May The 4th.
The Fall Guy Giveaway
Source: Cinelinx

How To Host a Product Launch Giveaway

Hosting a product launch giveaway requires careful organization and execution to guarantee that your new product is properly promoted and engages your target audience.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to running a successful product launch giveaway: 

1. Define Your Goals

Determining what you want to achieve with your launch giveaway is important. Here are things you might want to take into consideration when setting your goals:

  • Brand Recognition: Do you want more people to know about your brand?
  • Engagement: Are you focused on getting more likes, shares, and comments on your posts?
  • Follower Growth: Do you want to gain more followers?

Take note that the more accurate your goals are, the easier it will be to cater to your giveaway. 

For The Fall Guy giveaway mentioned earlier, users had to go over to Cinelinx Twitter to retweet the giveaway post and comment to enter. Cinelinx goal was to build engagement on their Twitter profile while assisting Universal Pictures in creating exposure for the film.

Cinelinx Fall Guy Twitter Giveaway
Source: @Cinelinx on X

2. Choose an Irresistible Prize

Choosing the correct reward for your product launch giveaway is critical to attracting participants and creating excitement.

Here’s how to select an irresistible prize:

  • Determine your target audience: Decide on who you are trying to attract with your giveaway. What kind of customers would you want to attract, and would they share your product with other people?
  • Product appeal: Does your product relate to your audience? Does it fit within your brand’s image? Inexpensive products should be bundled with other products to create a larger, more enticing prize.
  • Incorporate collaborations: Get influencers or other people with a high social media presence to promote your giveaway. This would help to attract people to your social media profile. Partner with other brands that have products that complement yours. For example, laptop brands can partner with brands that manufacture laptop bags and peripherals.

Razer gave away a Halo Infinite-themed graphics card to help promote the launch of the latest Halo game.

Razer Halo Giveaway
Source: Razer

The prize may not be a Razer product, but it will attract a massive audience made up of PC Gamers, Razer’s target audience. Razer’s collaboration with Xbox to launch Halo Infinite was an excellent idea from Razer.

3. Set Clear Rules and Guidelines

Establishing clear rules and standards for your giveaway is critical to ensuring fairness, legal compliance, and a positive experience for participants. Here are some important regulations and standards to consider:

  • Choose a giveaway that reflects your brand: 

Make sure that the theme and the prize match the essence of your brand. You’d want it to make sense to your audience!

  • Create a buzz:
    Get people talking! Design such a giveaway that will make people want to engage and share it to everyone they know. 
  • Do not overshadow the product being launched:

Due to the excitement from the giveaway, ensure that people don’t forget about the product being launched.

Contest and giveaway rules

Want to know more about contest and giveaway rules?

Click here for our 10-step guide for creating contest and giveaway rules.

4. Promote Your Giveaway

Promoting a new product can be challenging, but one of the most effective strategies is hosting a giveaway. A well-planned giveaway may generate attention, attract new clients, and build interest in your product. You can use multiple platforms to promote your giveaway like:

  • Social media: Spread the word using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
  • Email marketing: Inform your followers about the giveaway by sending them emails.
  • Influencer partnerships: Work with influencers to increase your reach.
  • Website and blog: Promote the giveaway on your website and blog.

5. Announce the Winner

Announcing the winner of a contest is a critical step that may have a big influence on your brand’s reputation and engagement. Doing it right promotes transparency, trust, and enthusiasm among your target audience. Here’s how you can announce your winner:

  • Verify the winner: Ensure that the winner selected meets all the eligibility criteria and has followed the giveaway rules.
  • Choose your most active platforms: Use the platform where you get the most audience and engagement to announce your winner.
  • Make an announcement: You want your winner to be known, so make an official announcement with the winner’s details, and the prize that they won as well as ensure that you thank everyone for participating in your giveaway. 
  • Notify the winner: Don’t forget to let your winner know that they won! 
Contest Winner Announcement Templates

Are you unsure how to announce the winner of your giveaway? We have giveaway and contest winner announcement templates to help you get started!

Click here for our guide on Contest Winner Announcement Templates.

Examples of Product Launch Giveaways

Vitamin G Supplement Giveaway – @onedayonlycoza (Instagram)

  • Entry Method: Visit OneDayOnly website to enter and sign up
  • Prize: A year’s worth of Vitamin G supplements
  • Ideal for: Online stores, supplement brands, or supermarkets
OneDayOnly Vitamin Giveaway
Source: @OneDayOnlycoza on Instagram

How Effective Was This Giveaway?

OneDayOnly’s recent campaign shows the success of a giveaway. By providing a year’s supply of vitamin G pills, OneDayOnly drew a large audience. Participants just needed to visit the link in their Instagram bio and sign up, making the entry process simple and accessible.

Here’s how this strategy was effective:

Increase in website traffic:

By asking users to click the link in their bio, the business increased the traffic to its website. Allowing users to visit its website also allowed it to showcase its new product and show users what other products it had that they might be interested in.

Focused Promotion:

Offering a year’s supply of vitamin G pills related the prize directly to their product, keeping the marketing relevant and focused. This method showcased the goods and made them appear valuable and desired.

Lead Generation:

Collecting sign-ups allowed OneDayOnly to build a valuable database of potential customers. These leads can be maintained through future marketing efforts, promoting repeat visits and potential sales.

Simplicity and Accessibility:
Participation in the giveaway was made simple because all users had to do was just visit the website and sign up. This made it so easy for anyone to participate.

Makeup Giveaway – @closetcrusader 

  • Entry Method: Like and save post, follow the account, and tag other users in the comments
  • Prize: $400 beauty hamper
  • Ideal for: Online beauty stores, beauty influencers, skincare brands
Closet Crusader Instagram giveaway
Source: @ClosetCrusader on Instagram

How Effective Was This Giveaway?

In the increasingly competitive world of social media marketing, freebies have evolved as an effective method for engaging audiences and increasing following counts. @closetcrusader’s recent beauty giveaway is an example of a successful promotional strategy that maximizes reach and impact through user involvement.

The campaign increased participation, visibility, and follower development by providing a high-value reward and clear, actionable entry instructions. 

Clear instructions: 

The offer features simple entry methods, lowering obstacles to participation.

Follower Requirements:

Requiring participants to follow @closetcrusader helps the account earn more followers. This method helps to grow a wider audience for future material.

Localization: 

The offer is limited to participants in Canada and the United States, making it more relevant and logistically efficient.

Increased Reach: 

Providing more entries for sharing the post on stories motivates followers to share the message. This strategy utilizes participants’ networks, broadening the post’s impact beyond @closetcrusader’s direct followers.

TRESemme Giveaway – @tresemmeuk 

  • Entry Method: Must be following @tresemmeuk, like and save the post, and tag another user  who would be interested in the giveaway
  • Prize: TRESemme haircare bundle
  • Ideal for: Online beauty stores, can be partnered with fan merchandise stores
Tresemme giveaway Instagram
Source: @TresemmeUK on Instagram

How effective was this giveaway?

TRESemmé UK recently held an Instagram giveaway to celebrate Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour in the UK. TRESemmé uses social media to increase brand awareness, improve customer connection, and cultivate a devoted community by providing a glossy haircare bundle and engaging followers through a series of interactive activities.

  • Positive Association: Partnering with a well-known event or celebrity can boost brand perception.
  • Follower Growth: The new followers acquired through the promotion may be targeted for future marketing initiatives.
  • Fan Alignment: By joining Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, TRESemmé connects with her vast, passionate fan base.
  • Social Media interaction: Requiring users to follow, like, and tag friends improves TRESemmé’s exposure and interaction on Instagram.

Product Launch Giveaway Ideas

1. DiabloV Xbox Giveaway

  • Product Launch: DiabloV Online Multiplayer Game
  • Prize: Xbox Series X Diablo Edition
  • Goal: Get as many Game Pass Subscribers and Emails (Blizzard account signups)

Host a giveaway to commemorate the launch of Diablo 4, an online multiplayer game. The giveaway should help create exposure for the game before its launch date. This exposure can add to the hype of the game leading towards its launch. 

Diablo 4 xbox console
Source: Polygon

Because Diablo 4 is an online multiplayer game, having as many users signed into the game will benefit the developers of the game, Blizzard. Blizzard can use this giveaway to get users to:

  • Create new Blizzard accounts
  • Submit email addresses
  • Start Xbox Game Pass subscriptions

Each new user Blizzard acquires from the giveaway will have the opportunity to make in-game purchases. This means that the giveaway will directly boost sales. 

If Blizzard chooses to collect only email addresses, it can certainly market the game and its launch to its new email leads. For instance, it could send out an email prior to the launch offering gamers a reduced pre-order offer. 

2. Nike Fitness Apparel Giveaway

Product Launch: Nike fitness clothing and accessories

Prize:

  • A one-year membership to a premium gym or fitness app
  • A full set of Nike gym clothes 

Goal:

  • Direct connection with prospective clients and fitness enthusiasts.
  • Highlight the new product line’s characteristics and benefits effectively.

Nike can host a giveaway to promote the release of their new range of fitness clothes and accessories. The campaign targets fitness enthusiasts and athletes, with the goal of increasing brand interaction and product exposure via social media.

Nike Apparel Giveaway
Source: Nike

Because Nike is a well-known fitness company, a giveaway like this may considerably boost their marketing efforts. Nike might utilize this gift to entice participants to:

  • Follow Nike on Social Media: Boosting their social media presence.
  • Engage with Content: Increasing post likes, shares, and tags.
  • Submit Personal Stories: Enhancing community engagement and brand loyalty.

Each new follower and member gives Nike the opportunity to directly sell their new fitness items. Furthermore, the personal tales gathered may be used as testimonials and user-generated content to help promote the company and its goods. This method not only boosts instant engagement, but it also establishes the foundation for long-term client connections and greater revenue.

If Nike obtains email addresses during the offer, they may sell the new product line and other promotions to these leads, resulting in increased future sales and stronger brand loyalty. To keep their audience interested and informed, they may send emails with fitness suggestions, unique discounts, and new product releases.

3. CeraVe Skincare Giveaway 

Product Launch: A new range of CeraVe products

Prize:

  • A one-year supply of CeraVe products.
  • A personalized virtual skincare consultation with a dermatologist.

Goal:

  • Effectively highlight the features and benefits of the new product line.
  • Foster a sense of community among skincare enthusiasts and CeraVe customers.

CeraVe can hold a giveaway to commemorate the introduction of a new skincare product range. This campaign focuses on skincare lovers and tries to raise brand recognition and interaction via social media.

Cereve Instagram Giveaway
Source: @cerave on Instagram

CeraVe is a leading skincare company, therefore this giveaway offer may considerably boost their marketing efforts. CeraVe may utilise this offer to persuade participants to:

  • Follow CeraVe on Social Media: Increasing their social media presence.
  • Engage with Content: Boosting post likes, shares, and tags.
  • Submit Skincare Routines: Enhancing community engagement and gathering user-generated content.

Each new follower and participation provides CeraVe with an opportunity to directly sell their new skincare products. Personal skincare regimen entries can function as testimonials and promotional content, increasing the brand’s visibility.

This method boosts instant engagement while simultaneously laying the groundwork for long-term client connections and sales success.

If CeraVe obtains email addresses during the giveaway, they may market new products, skincare suggestions, and exclusive offers to these leads.

To keep the audience interested and informed, they may send out emails with skincare tips, special discounts, and early access to new product launches.

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FAQ: How to Host a Product Launch Giveaway

❓What Is a Product Launch Giveaway?

A product launch giveaway is a promotional strategy where a company offers free products or prizes to generate excitement and buzz around the launch of a new product.

❓Why Should I Host a Product Launch Giveaway?

Hosting a product launch giveaway can significantly boost brand recognition, engage your audience, and increase traffic to your website and social media platforms. It also provides an opportunity for real-time feedback and can be a cost-effective marketing strategy.

❓How Can Giveaways Increase Brand Awareness?

Giveaways often require participants to share the promotion with their network, tagging friends or posting on social media, which broadens your reach beyond your existing customer base.

❓Can Giveaways Improve SEO?

Yes, increased traffic to your website and social media sites from a giveaway can boost your SEO, as search engines favor websites with higher traffic and engagement rates.

TL;DR: How to Host a Product Launch Giveaway

Why Host a Giveaway?

  • Boosts brand recognition and awareness
  • Engages audience and increases website traffic
  • Provides real-time feedback on the new product

Who Should Host?

  • Ideal for makeup and skincare brands, new businesses, online courses, fitness brands, tech companies, and subscription services.

Steps to Host a Giveaway:

  1. Define Goals: Determine what you want to achieve (brand recognition, engagement, follower growth).
  2. Choose a Prize: Select a prize that appeals to your target audience and fits your brand.
  3. Set Rules: Ensure clear, fair rules and legal compliance.
  4. Promote: Use social media, email marketing, influencer partnerships, and your website.
  5. Announce Winner: Verify eligibility, announce on active platforms, and notify the winner.
Jack Paxton

Jack Paxton is the co-founder of VYPER, a marketing tool that helps brands build email lists, social followings, and revenue using viral giveaways, referral, and reward programs. After millions of dollars spent testing different marketing strategies at his marketing agency. He then also co-founded Hyax a fast, conversion & design-focused course and funnel builder for creators.

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