Header banner image
Active Consultancy blog image - Hosting a giveaway: Here's the right way to pick your winner
Hosting a giveaway: Here's the right way to pick your winner
In this blog, we’ll explore what a giveaway is and how to pick your winner the right way to ensure your giveaway complies with regulations and runs smoothly and succesfully.
3 March 2023

What is a giveaway?

A giveaway is an online promotion where users perform specific tasks for the chance to win a prize. Digital marketers use giveaways as a tool to achieve their online marketing goals.

 

In this blog, we’ll explore what a giveaway is and how to pick your winner the right way.

 

Setting out rules for participation

Firstly, when you decide to do a giveaway, you need to set out clear rules for participation. Before you start, it's important to ensure compliance with the current promotional marketing legislation.

 

You will also need to set up some guidelines for each entry. For example, you may decide that each person must have a certain number of followers before they can enter. You may also choose how many entries you will accept per person and what happens if someone tries to enter more than once. Finally, you should review how long the giveaway will run and what happens when it ends.

 

Deciding on the selection criteria

Selection criteria is an important part of a giveaway because they help to ensure the right winner is selected. Here are some examples of different selection methods that can help select the right winner:

 

Random Selection

You can do this by using a Random Number Generator or a lottery system to select winners from the eligible entries.

 

Creativity

This method encourages participants to submit creative entries, such as photos, videos or essays and the winner is selected based on the creativity of their entry.

 

Engagement

This selection is based on the engagement of the participants, such as liking, commenting and sharing social media posts related to the giveaway. The more active and engaged participants have more chance of winning.

 

Referral

Participants are encouraged to refer friends to the giveaway, and the person who refers the most friends is selected as the winner.

 

Need-based

This selection method is aimed at individuals with a particular need for the prize on offer - such as low-income families, students and individuals who have been through times of hardship.  

 

How to pick a winner fairly

If your selection criteria allow the winner to be chosen at random, you can use the below method.

Using a random number generator

A random number generator (RNG) is a computer program or a hardware device that generates a sequence of numbers or values that have no predictable pattern. 

Using a random number generator is a quick, easy and effective method to ensure fairness for all participants.

 

You will need to determine the number of entries or participants that are eligible to win the prize on offer in the giveaway. Once you have done this, assign each entry or participant a unique number, such as a numerical ID, a ticket number or a name. 

 

You will then be able to decide on the range of numbers that the random number generator should generate. For example, if you have 100 entries, your number range would be 1 to 100. You can then use a random online generator or a software program, to generate a random number within the range you decided on. When you have imputed your range and you’re ready to go, hit the go button and match the generated number to the corresponding entry or participant to determine the winner.

 

 

If your selection criteria are creativity or engagement, you could consider the below.

 

Judging Panel Or Evaluation

An RNG wouldn't work for this selection criteria as these rely on reviewing images, videos and essays that may have been submitted or the amount of engagement from participants. Before the giveaway begins, clearly define the criteria that will be used to judge the entries. This could include factors such as originality, creativity, and adherence to the theme. Choose a panel of judges who are knowledgeable about the brand and the promotion, and who can evaluate the entries based on the defined criteria. The number of judges can vary depending on the size and scope of the giveaway.

 

Verify the winner

Verifying the winner of your giveaway is key to ensuring you choose the right winner. You should check that they meet all the criteria and the rules of the giveaway that you initially set. You should contact the winner via the contact information provided such as their email address, phone number or their social media account.

 

Unfortunately, it does happen that the winner of the giveaway is not eligible. If you have reviewed the rules and eligibility criteria of the giveaway and the winner is ineligible, they will be classed as disqualified. If the winner is disqualified, you can proceed by selecting a new winner from the pool of eligible entries.

 

If your winner is eligible, however, you cannot reach them, you need to ensure that you have tried all available means of communication such as phone, email or social media. 

 

If the contact information provided is incorrect or there is insufficient information, attempt to locate them using all means possible. This could be reaching out to any known associates or family members. If the winner does not respond within a reasonable time, you may need to select a new winner.

 

Announce the winner and distribute the prize

You would be amazed at how many people and companies run giveaways and competitions and never actually announce a winner. Not only is that damaging your brand's reputation by making your audience believe that your competitions aren’t legitimate, but it also can be breaking the law.  

 

It’s important to announce the winner and to distribute the prize promptly. Depending on where you ran your giveaway and the contact information you have, there are several ways that you could announce the winner. You could:

  • Notify the winner via email

  • Create a winner announcement post on Facebook

  • Announce the contest winner on Twitter

  • Create A giveaway winner announcement post

  • Announce the giveaway winner on Instagram - (posts/stories) 

Ensure that once you have contacted and spoken with the winner, you have the correct shipping address from them so they can receive their prize.

 

 

So let’s quickly recap. Running a giveaway is a great way to achieve your online marketing goals. You have to get clear with the rules for participating, you need to decide on your selection criteria, you will need to familiarise yourself with the method you will use to ensure fairness when selecting the winner, verify the winner, announce the winner and finally, distribute the prize.  

 

So there you go! Just make sure that your winner is selected fairly through the methods above and that every participant has a fair chance of winning. 

 

Active Consultancy blog image - How To Motivate Your Sales Team With Incentive Games
Motivating a sales team is crucial for any business, and using incentive games can be a fun and effective way to boost morale and increase productivity. In this blog, we explore different types of incentive games and offer tips for implementing them effectively, including setting goals, creating a positive competitive environment, and rewarding both individual and team achievements. Read more...
2 May 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Best Tech Giveaway Ideas For Tech Companies To Clients
Tech companies often use giveaways to promote their brand and engage with clients. Explore some of the best tech giveaway ideas for tech companies to offer their clients, such as custom-branded tech accessories, smart home devices, and high-quality headphones. Read more...
30 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - How Do Employee Reward & Recognition Programmes Work?
Employee reward and recognition programmes are a powerful way to improve employee morale, engagement, and productivity. In this blog, we explore how these programmes work, including the different types of rewards and recognition, the benefits they offer, and best practices for implementation. Read more...
30 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - 5 Unique Prize Ideas for Your Next Sales Incentive
When it comes to sales incentive programmes, you want to be the company offering unique prizes, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and rewarding your employees with experiences they wouldn't want to miss. Read more...
29 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Creating Memorable Experiences: The Role of Prize Fulfilment in Building Brand Loyalty
In today's competitive business landscape, building brand loyalty is essential for companies to survive and thrive. Read more...
25 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Easter Promotions That Will Have You Hopping For Joy!
When it comes to Easter, we're thinking about easter eggs, hot crossed buns, fluffy bunnies hopping though fields. But it's also one of our favourite times of the year for prize promotions. There are soo many great ideas for prizes of all budgets, you'd be hopping mad to miss out! Read more...
29 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Employees Matter - How To Reward Them
Employees matter to a company, so recognising and rewarding them for their hard work, dedication and contribution to the company's success is equally important. Read more...
29 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Your Brand Promise: Why Your Brand Needs A Reliable Agency
We'll explore the benefits of working with an agency, including access to specialised expertise, increased efficiency, and a fresh perspective. By entrusting your brand to an agency, you can ensure consistency, build trust with your audience, and ultimately, achieve your business goals. Read more...
29 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - How reward and recognition programmes can create a positive working culture
Employee recognition has a huge impact on workplace culture. It not only affects how employees feel about the business, but also about themselves and others they work with. Rewarding and recognising employees can help to create a positive bond between an employee and the business. The result is a more engaged and productive workforce. Read more...
2 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Top 10 things to do in March
10 prize ideas for March to use in a promotion or incentive. Read more...
1 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - How To Motivate Your Sales Team With Incentive Games
Motivating a sales team is crucial for any business, and using incentive games can be a fun and effective way to boost morale and increase productivity. In this blog, we explore different types of incentive games and offer tips for implementing them effectively, including setting goals, creating a positive competitive environment, and rewarding both individual and team achievements.
2 May 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Best Tech Giveaway Ideas For Tech Companies To Clients
Tech companies often use giveaways to promote their brand and engage with clients. Explore some of the best tech giveaway ideas for tech companies to offer their clients, such as custom-branded tech accessories, smart home devices, and high-quality headphones.
30 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - How Do Employee Reward & Recognition Programmes Work?
Employee reward and recognition programmes are a powerful way to improve employee morale, engagement, and productivity. In this blog, we explore how these programmes work, including the different types of rewards and recognition, the benefits they offer, and best practices for implementation.
30 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - 5 Unique Prize Ideas for Your Next Sales Incentive
When it comes to sales incentive programmes, you want to be the company offering unique prizes, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and rewarding your employees with experiences they wouldn't want to miss.
29 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Creating Memorable Experiences: The Role of Prize Fulfilment in Building Brand Loyalty
In today's competitive business landscape, building brand loyalty is essential for companies to survive and thrive.
25 April 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Easter Promotions That Will Have You Hopping For Joy!
When it comes to Easter, we're thinking about easter eggs, hot crossed buns, fluffy bunnies hopping though fields. But it's also one of our favourite times of the year for prize promotions. There are soo many great ideas for prizes of all budgets, you'd be hopping mad to miss out!
29 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Employees Matter - How To Reward Them
Employees matter to a company, so recognising and rewarding them for their hard work, dedication and contribution to the company's success is equally important.
29 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Your Brand Promise: Why Your Brand Needs A Reliable Agency
We'll explore the benefits of working with an agency, including access to specialised expertise, increased efficiency, and a fresh perspective. By entrusting your brand to an agency, you can ensure consistency, build trust with your audience, and ultimately, achieve your business goals.
29 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - How reward and recognition programmes can create a positive working culture
Employee recognition has a huge impact on workplace culture. It not only affects how employees feel about the business, but also about themselves and others they work with. Rewarding and recognising employees can help to create a positive bond between an employee and the business. The result is a more engaged and productive workforce.
2 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Top 10 things to do in March
10 prize ideas for March to use in a promotion or incentive.
1 March 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - 100 Prize Ideas for Viral Giveaways
A viral giveaway can be a powerful tool to increase brand awareness, attract new customers, and reward existing ones. To make your giveaway go viral, you need to offer a prize that people will want to share with their friends and family.
20 February 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - 14 Creative Valentine's Day Prize Ideas
If you're planning a giveaway for your followers, customers, or employees, consider these 10 Valentine's Day Prize Ideas to add some extra love to the occasion. From sentimental keepsakes to practical gifts that they can enjoy every day, we've got you covered.
15 February 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Top 10 things to do in February
10 prize ideas for February to use in a promotion or incentive.
14 February 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Consumer promotions - what makes them tick?
Consumer promotions are a great way to increase sales and attract new customers, but they are not all created equal.
8 February 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion and incentive travel ideas - Top 10 most romantic hotels in the UK
Love is in the air! Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so this is the perfect moment to share our top 10 most romantic hotels from around the UK.
1 February 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Top 10 festivals in January
10 prize ideas for January to use in a promotion or incentive.
17 January 2023
Active Consultancy blog image - Top 10 Christmas markets
10 of the very best Christmas markets around Europe.
29 November 2022
Active Consultancy blog image - Employee recognition - How to unite a remote workforce
Employee recognition programmes can be difficult enough to implement when all your team are office based. But how do you reach out and recognise your team if they work remotely?
13 May 2022
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion and incentive travel ideas - Top 10 snow and ice holidays
There's still time to embrace the most beautiful of all the seasons. Picture yourself in a crisp, winter wonderland and spend your days adventuring on skis, skidoo or sledge.
25 February 2022
Active Consultancy blog image - Understanding Long Service Awards
Retaining staff by understanding Long Service Awards
12 May 2021
Active Consultancy blog image - 10 key considerations when designing your sales incentive programme
The most common mistake in implementing sales incentive programmes is to look at the programme as a simple "do this and get that" proposition.
12 March 2021
Active Consultancy blog image - Prize promotion ideas - Summer vibes
Summer vibes – prize promotions that won’t break the bank this summer
23 February 2021
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion and incentive travel ideas - UK weekends for couples
If you are looking for a creative concept for a whole campaign, or as a one-off prize, our selection of ideas for couples' weekends away in the UK will give you food for thought.
10 May 2020
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion and incentive ideas - Top 10 places to see in the New Year
It's that time of year again when thoughts are beginning to turn towards New Year's resolutions and, more importantly, New Year's Eve celebrations. Now is the time to start thinking about where to bring in 2020 to ensure this New Year's Eve will be one to remember.
11 December 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion and incentive gift ideas - Top 10 of all things Christmassy
As the high street starts to fill with gifts and festive favourites begin to blast from every doorway, there's no denying that Christmas will soon be upon us. Whether you're already embracing the season or staying a Scrooge until 1st December, take a look at our favourite activities and treats to get you into the holiday spirit.
18 November 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion and incentive ideas - Top 10 scary experiences
Whether it's a scary movie or the thrill of an adventure sport, we've all felt the strange buzz that comes with being scared. It keeps us coming back for more. So this month we've put together a list of some of the scariest experiences from around the world. Will you be brave enough to try any?
22 October 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion & incentive travel ideas - Top 10 unique destinations
Here at Active, we specialise in travel, and we're constantly on the lookout for unusual places to send incentive groups or winners. It's a big world out there and we've searched all four corners to bring you 10 unique destinations which are sure to fuel your wanderlust for places you may never have considered before.
13 August 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - Peer-to-peer tips - US hype or good approach to employee recognition
While it has been greeted by some with scepticism, we think the US-born concept of 'peer-to-peer tipping' or 'peer-to-peer rewarding' deserves some serious consideration. So how does it work? And what's behind the hype?
16 July 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - UK corporate event ideas - Top 10 VIP events
When it comes to building corporate events and prize winner experiences, we are second to none. We know it's the little imaginative, creative and personal touches that turn a weekend in London into a spectacular London extravaganza, with memories to be cherished forever. Take a look at some of our favourite, top-class weekend events to see how Active can help you deliver a show-stopping VIP experience to remember.
2 July 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - Promotion and incentive travel ideas - Top 10 unusual bars around the world
There’s some seriously hot competition when it comes to unusual bars around the globe. The allure of having an unusual location, wacky décor or a unique concept is fast becoming popular in most major cities. The trend has risen in recent years as now, more than ever, people are valuing experiences and something a little out of the ordinary.
11 March 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - 8 incentive games to increase engagement in your sales incentive
Introducing a good dose of fun into your sales incentive can really help boost engagement. This is where incentive games come into play. So if you're looking for a fresh way to incentivise your sales teams or channel partners then read on.
5 February 2019
Active Consultancy blog image - UK corporate event ideas - 8 memorable team activities
Do you struggle to think of activity ideas that will set your corporate event apart from the rest and give it the 'wow' factor? Well, look no further. Our event experts at Active are always scouring the country for the UK's most exhilarating, memorable, and quirky event ideas. We've gathered some of these together in a handy list, just for you. So sit back, relax and prepare to be inspired…
14 January 2019
Many thanks to you and the team who made all the arrangements. Everything about the trip was fantastic. It really was a great experience and it will live in the memory for a long time.
John - Prize Winner
large
Hosting A Giveaway - How To Pick Your Winner | Active Consultancy blog icon
Motivating a sales team is crucial for any business, and using incentive games can be a fun and effective way to boost morale and increase productivity. In this blog, we explore different types of incentive games and offer tips for implementing them effectively, including setting goals, creating a positive competitive environment, and rewarding both individual and team achievements.Read more...
2 May
Tech companies often use giveaways to promote their brand and engage with clients. Explore some of the best tech giveaway ideas for tech companies to offer their clients, such as custom-branded tech accessories, smart home devices, and high-quality headphones. Read more...
30 April
Employee reward and recognition programmes are a powerful way to improve employee morale, engagement, and productivity. In this blog, we explore how these programmes work, including the different types of rewards and recognition, the benefits they offer, and best practices for implementation. Read more...
30 April