Incorporating a regular giveaway into your marketing strategy can have many advantages for both you as a blog owner and also for your readers. 

Read on for five of the top benefits of giveaways on a blog, more reasons to giveaway a prize to your readers, as well as some helpful tips on how to host a giveaway on your blog.

1.     Attract new readers

Giveaways will attract a lot of compers, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  Not only will they share your blog giveaway on comping forums, websites and with their comping community which can attract even more people to your blog, but if they love your content then they will become a regular reader. 

If you have a niche specific blog, then pick your prize wisely to attract the right sort of comper and potential reader.  It’s a great way to get new eyes on your blog posts and is essentially a very affordable way to advertise and market your blog.

2.     Reward existing readers

It’s the perfect way to give something back to your existing readership.  By giving away great prizes on a regular basis, your loyal readers will be rewarded for supporting you. 

It’s always a great feeling when a regular and long-term reader wins a giveaway.  It will also encourage your regular readers to support you even more and it’s another reason to keep returning!

3.     Increase traffic

Running a giveaway will boost traffic to your blog, at least while the giveaway is running.  Use the opportunity to direct people to other blog posts in the content of the giveaway blog post, or even direct them to other parts of your blog as an entry option.

If you are able to attract new relevant readers then you will also be able to increase your traffic long-term if entrants bookmark or subscribe to your blog.

4.     Build social media followers

It’s a great way to increase your social media followers.  You can set entry options such as following your Twitter account or visiting your Facebook page.

You can also run giveaways on your social media accounts, but of course you’ll miss out on the blog traffic if you only do social media giveaways.  It’s still a great way to build followers though and was how I managed to get thousands of Twitter followers.

5.     Useful product information for your readers

It also provides content for your blog and perhaps even a review that will be useful to your readers.   If you are giving away a physical product then you can research and inform the reader all about the product in the blog post, or if you have the item yourself then you can review it.

If you regularly review items on your blog for brands then don’t be afraid to ask them if they’d like to provide an extra item for the giveaway which will give the brand more exposure and also get more traffic to the review blog post.

More Benefits of Giveaways for Bloggers

Beyond the obvious perks, there are several additional benefits to running giveaways on your blog that can enhance both your blog’s reach and your connection with your audience.

• Strengthen Community Engagement: Giveaways offer a fantastic opportunity to engage with your audience on a deeper level. By encouraging participants to comment, share, or interact with your content, you create a more lively and engaged community. Asking your readers to share their thoughts, answer a question, or participate in a poll as part of the giveaway entry can generate valuable feedback and insight into what your audience is interested in.

• Boost Email Subscriptions: Giveaways can be an effective strategy to grow your email list. By including email sign-ups as an entry option, you can attract subscribers who are genuinely interested in your content. Once they’ve subscribed, you can keep them updated with your latest posts, offers, and future giveaways, helping to maintain engagement long after the giveaway ends.

• Increase Brand Partnerships: Hosting giveaways can attract the attention of brands who may want to partner with you for future campaigns. If your giveaway generates significant interest, brands might see the value in offering products for your next giveaway, giving you more content to share with your readers and adding credibility to your blog.

• Enhance Your SEO: Giveaways can help improve your blog's search engine rankings. When participants share your giveaway on social media or link to it on their own websites, it creates backlinks to your blog, which are a crucial factor in SEO. Additionally, the increased traffic and engagement during the giveaway period can signal to search engines that your blog is active and relevant.

How to Host a Giveaway on Your Blog

Running a successful giveaway on your blog requires some planning and organisation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you host your own giveaway:

1. Choose a Prize: Select a prize that is relevant to your audience and aligns with your blog's theme. Whether it’s a product you’ve reviewed, a gift card, or an exclusive service, the prize should be something that excites your readers and attracts participants who are genuinely interested in your content. As a money blogger, I choose to give away a cash prize each month in my free cash competition to one lucky blog reader per month!

2. Set Clear Rules: Define the rules and guidelines for your giveaway. Specify who is eligible to enter, the start and end dates, and any terms and conditions that apply. Make sure to comply with any legal requirements and platform policies related to giveaways in your local area.

3. Select a Platform: Choose a platform to manage your giveaway entries. Tools like Rafflecopter, Gleam, or KingSumo can help you set up and track entries, ensuring a smooth process for both you and your participants. These tools also allow you to easily integrate entry options such as social media follows, email sign-ups, and blog comments.

4. Promote Your Giveaway: Spread the word about your giveaway through your blog, social media channels, and email newsletters. Encourage your readers to share the giveaway with their networks to maximise its reach. Creating eye-catching graphics and writing compelling promotional posts can help attract more participants.

5. Engage with Participants: Throughout the giveaway, engage with participants by responding to their comments, answering questions, and providing updates. This interaction not only boosts engagement but also helps build a sense of community around your blog.

6. Announce the Winner: Once the giveaway ends, use the chosen platform to randomly select a winner. Announce the winner on your blog and social media channels, and be sure to contact them directly to arrange the delivery of the prize. It’s also a good idea to thank all participants and encourage them to stay tuned for future giveaways.

7. Evaluate the Results: After the giveaway, take some time to review its performance. Analyse metrics like traffic, social media engagement, and email subscriptions to determine the success of the giveaway. This will help you refine your strategy for future giveaways.

By carefully planning and executing your giveaways, you can harness their full potential to grow your blog, engage your audience, and build lasting relationships with your readers.

Final word

Running giveaways on your blog offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the immediate excitement of winning a prize. From attracting new readers to deepening your connection with existing ones, giveaways are a versatile tool in your blogging toolkit. Not only do they help increase traffic and social media followers, but they also foster community engagement, build your email list, and can even enhance your SEO.

What's more, hosting a giveaway doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming. With platforms like Rafflecopter, you can easily manage your giveaways using their free package, making it a low-cost method to promote your blog. By carefully choosing your prizes and engaging with your audience throughout the process, you can create a buzz that not only rewards your loyal fans but also introduces your content to a wider audience.

Incorporating giveaways into your regular blogging strategy can keep your readers coming back for more, establish your blog as a go-to resource in your niche, and ultimately, contribute to the growth and success of your blog in the long term. Whether you're a seasoned blogger or just starting out, giveaways are a powerful way to shout about your blog and show appreciation to your readers.