How To Run Ecommerce Giveaways Without Looking Desperate

Who does not like winning something for free? It’s like getting a free dessert with your meal—an unexpected treat that makes everything better. 

Likewise giveaways have this ability to satisfy your customers and get them talking about your brand. They’re not just fun; they’re a brilliant way to turn potential users into a loyal base and even paying customers.

But let’s face it—pulling off a successful giveaway takes more than a catchy caption and a shiny prize. 

Some campaigns give extraordinary results, while some just could not make a mark. 

The difference lies in the strategy.

So, how do you create a giveaway that gets people excited, builds lasting connections, and drives meaningful results?

Let’s get started.

A Basic Understanding of Ecommerce Giveaways 

To put in simple terms, giveaways are more like hosting a party for your brand. You bring the fun (the prizes), set the rules, and invite everyone to join. They’re a creative way to draw attention to your store, boost engagement, and build stronger relationships with your customers. 

But here’s the deal: a successful giveaway isn’t just about tossing out freebies. It’s about creating an experience that grabs attention, feels rewarding, and nudges participants toward becoming loyal customers. 

Whether it’s growing your email list or increasing sales, giveaways are a win-win when done right. 

Master Ecommerce Giveaways With These Proven Tips 

Here’s a breakdown of practical tips that you can implement in order to make your next ecommerce giveaway an instant hit!

#1 Put A Limit On The Quantity or Time of Giveaways 

One psychological trick that never fails to do wonders is scarcity. Well, there is a reason why the last slice of pizza feels more valuable!

Something immediately becomes more attractive when people are aware of its limited supply. Add a ticking clock, and you’ve got FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) driving them to act fast.

To put this into practice, establish clear and strict limits. Make sure that on your emails, articles, and landing sites, phrases like "Only 50 prizes available!" or "Offer ends in 24 hours!" should be prominently displayed. Use countdown timers to graphically emphasize the argument and increase the sense of urgency.

This approach encourages quick action. When people feel they might miss out, they act fast—just like they would during a flash sale.

#2 Use The Power of Reciprocity

A simple yet effective psychological principle is reciprocity: when you give, people want to give back. Offering something for free frequently encourages people to do important things like making a purchase, registering, or recommending your brand to others. This golden rule is incredibly effective in marketing.

To put this into action, structure your giveaways to encourage meaningful interactions. For instance, offer people a chance to win if they sign up for your newsletter, recommend friends, or promote your content.

It’s a win-win: they feel appreciated, and you gain visibility, a larger email list, or potential sales.

Keep your messaging straightforward: “Join our mailing list and enter to win this exclusive prize!”

#3 Highlight The Retail Price of Your Giveaways 

A strong psychological technique that can make your giveaways unstoppable is anchoring. By showcasing the retail price of your giveaway item upfront, you set a clear value benchmark that grabs attention and builds excitement. 

Make sure this information is the first thing customers see by placing it prominently in your emails, landing pages, and social media postings.

Use taglines such as "Get this $100 product for free!" or “Yours for nothing—valued at $100!”

The outcome?

Sign-ups are immediately increased since people believe they are getting an offer they simply can’t miss out.

#4 Include A Gamified Experience In Your Giveaway

Gamification uses the principle of games and behavioural science to increase engagement. By including unexpected rewards, you activate the brain’s dopamine-driven reward system, making the entire experience both fun and addictive.

To make it more exciting, start thinking beyond the basics. Make an interactive quiz that pays participants according to their responses, or a spin-the-wheel game where users can win thrilling prizes. 

Another excellent choice is to have raffles, where participants can earn additional entries by performing tasks like sharing your material. 

Promote these exciting features on your website, social media accounts, and emails by using catchy headlines like "Spin for a surprise!."

The result?

Gamified giveaways turn a simple entry into an exciting journey. Whether users are spinning, guessing, or earning entries, they’re immersed in an enjoyable experience that keeps them engaged. 

#5 Use The Nudge Theory

Nudge theory, a concept from behavioral economics, revolves around gently steering people toward desired actions by tweaking how choices are presented. Think of it as a casual tap on the shoulder that makes saying “yes” feel effortless.

To get the most out of your giveaways, identify the points in your strategy where subtly prompting people will be most effective. For example, design your landing page with vibrant, compelling calls-to-action like “Don’t miss your chance to win [product]—enter now!” Ensure the entry process is quick and hassle-free.

Additionally, use popups while visitors browse, reminding them about the giveaway and creating excitement.

With well-placed cues here and there, you are creating a giveaway that not creates excitement, but also fosters engagement and loyalty.

#6 Apply The Loss Aversion Theory

It is psychologically accepted that humans are more motivated by the fear of losing something than gaining. Also known as loss aversion theory, you can use this phenomenon to highlight what a customer can lose if they don’t act quickly.

Use terms like "Don't miss out!" or "Last chance to enter!" in your emails, social media, and landing pages to leverage this theory. 

People feel pressured to take quick action when you emphasize the regret of missing out. For example, replace "Sign up to enter" with "Hurry, your chance to win this incredible prize ends soon—don't miss out!"

This small change increases the likelihood that your audience will participate in the contest by playing to their fear of losing something.

#7 Avoid Any Hidden Costs 

Let’s just admit - there is something to the term “free.” It is a psychological powerhouse drawing people in like a moth to a flame. The concept goes beyond saving money—it promises a no-risk, no-commitment reward. 

That’s why people often value free items more than discounted ones, thanks to what’s called the zero price effect.

To maximize the effectiveness of your ecommerce giveaway, make sure that it is absolutely free. Please skip the sneaky “just pay shipping” approach and make it a no-strings-attached offer. 

Make sure that you simplify participation—ditch lengthy forms or extra fees.

#8 Use The IKEA Effect For Long Term Results 

The IKEA effect is all about how people tend to value things when they have put in a considerable amount of effort into it. There is a reason why you would love the DIY shelf more than the one that already comes pre-assembled - you built it, from scratch.

So how can you use this theory in your ecommerce giveaways? Simple. Make them do something. 

Ask them to share a creative video of how they use your product or participate in a fun challenge, like a hashtag campaign. When they invest their time or energy, they form a deeper connection to your brand and feel a greater attachment to the prize.

This small effort can make them appreciate the giveaway even more.

#9 Do Not Lose Touch After The Giveaway 

Have you ever noticed how certain songs get stuck in your head? The more you hear them, the more you start to love them. This is called the mere exposure effect, and it’s a powerful tool for ecommerce businesses. After your giveaway ends, don’t let your brand fade away. 

Instead, stay connected!

Send your users follow-up emails, remind them about the giveaways, and even some post giveaway deals! Think of this as - Hey don’t forget about us - text! 

The more you engage, the more your brand will feel like a trusted companion. Just like that one song you can’t help but sing along to.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do giveaways attract customers?

Giveaways attract customers by offering exciting incentives, creating a sense of urgency, and encouraging engagement. They draw attention to your brand, increase visibility, and provide a fun way for potential customers to interact, building excitement and trust around your products.

How do you engage losers of a giveaway?

Engage giveaway "losers" by thanking them for participating, offering exclusive discounts or early access to future promotions. This shows appreciation and keeps them connected, turning disappointment into positive brand interaction, and increasing the chances of them returning to shop.

How effective are giveaways?

Giveaways are highly effective when done right. They boost brand visibility, engage new audiences, and build customer loyalty. By creating excitement and offering value, giveaways can increase your social media following, drive sales, and foster long-term relationships with customers.

How to make a giveaway interesting?

To make a giveaway interesting, offer a prize that resonates with your audience, create a sense of urgency, and keep the entry process fun and simple. Adding interactive elements like tagging friends or sharing on social media can boost excitement.

Author

Chandni Bhavsar

Chandni, a skilled project manager, brings the perfect blend of creativity and technical know-how to Shopify stores. Her approach to ecommerce stores is all about making the user experience feel like a breeze. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she not only manages projects smoothly but also loves educating others on the latest Shopify trends, helping them keep their stores vibrant and competitive.