71 Contest Prize Ideas That Attract People Who’ll Buy

Muckender Towels once gave away three private 30-minute Zoom calls with Adam and Kim from the YouTube channel Haxman, each with a towel care package. The entry Action was a launch alert signup, and 351 people entered from 1,486 widget views, close to a quarter. It's a prize aimed squarely at Haxman's viewers, an audience that deals with workshop mess.

Your prize decides who enters. Pick a generic one and you'll fill your list with people who wanted a free iPad and have no interest in your product.

It doesn't need to be expensive, either.

The typical Gleam competition that states a prize value gives away $300. In our benchmarks, the top prize band was worth about 22× the prizes in the $100 to $499 band. It drew only about three times the entrants.

That doesn't show the bigger prize brought the extra people in (a business that can fund a $4,000 prize often brings a bigger list and more promotion too). So pick on fit first, then set the budget.

Below are 71 prize ideas by type, industry and season. Each says what to name in the prize, a typical budget where we have the data, and, for most, the Gleam Action or template that suits it. If you know your industry, start with the table. It uses the typical (median) stated prize and entrants from our Gleam Giveaway Benchmarks.

Among the competitions in our benchmarks that state a prize value, each higher prize band drew more entrants but added fewer entrants per extra dollar than the band below it.

Budgets don't line up with results by industry either. Sports brands spend a typical $720 on a prize, far more than gadget brands, yet both draw about the same number of entrants.

Not every campaign records what its prize is worth, so the budget figures come from the ones that do.

Gift cards and cash are among the most common prizes on Gleam, and for their value they do fine. In our wider prize data (campaigns with 100+ entrants), they drew about 7% more entrants than typical for prizes of the same value.

Where a gift card falls short is fit. It appeals to everyone, so it can't tell you who wants what you sell. We'd usually reach for your own product, because it mostly appeals to people who might buy it, and you pay what it costs to make. That's our reasoning about who enters (the data doesn't show own-product prizes drawing more entrants for the money).

Name the exact prize, aim it at the people who'd buy from you, and match it to the effort you're asking for. If entrants have to send in photos or videos, you'll need to offer more than you would for a repost on X.

With Gleam you can set up multiple prizes in one Competition, from 5 on the Hobby Plan upwards (our pricing page lists each plan's limit). That lets you spread the prize pool, run weekly or monthly prizes, or add runner-up prizes.

Giving away what you sell keeps the attention on your product, and everyone who enters has shown they're interested in it. It usually costs you less than its shelf price, too.

Be exact about which product.

"Our best-selling hoodie in the winner's size and colour" gives people something to picture, where "a product from our store" doesn't. E-commerce brands give away a typical $300 prize in our benchmarks.

Add a Visit a Page Action that points at that product's page, so entrants see the prize and your store in the same click. Sell a service instead? Name the plan, the length and the value: "12 months of our Pro tier" or "three free sessions". Start from the Online Store Promotion Giveaway Template.

Giving away a product before or as it launches builds hype and finds the people who want it first. A new brand launching for the first time gets people talking before it goes live.

Make the prize the first units off the line, signed or numbered if you can, and say when they'll ship. "One of the first 10 copies, signed" is the kind of thing to aim for.

For early access, spell out how many weeks before launch and whether the winner keeps the product. For a pre-launch giveaway, you can add a referral Action such as Viral Share (Pro and above), where entrants earn extra entries only when a friend they referred enters. Start from the New Product Launch Giveaway Template or the Pre-Launch Awareness Campaign Template.

If people can't buy your prize anywhere else, entering becomes far more tempting. Limited runs suit brands with an established customer base who'd want an exclusive edition.

Put the size of the run in the prize name, like "one of 50 numbered pairs", so people can see how rare it is. A custom product adds the winner's own choices: embroidery, a colour or a graphic.

A Question Action can ask entrants which colour or design they'd pick, which also tells you what to make next.

If you sell food, cosmetics or anything people buy again and again, give away a year's or several months' supply. It gets the winner using your product long enough to become a regular.

Turn "a year's supply" into a number people can picture: 52 bags of coffee, one a week, or 12 monthly boxes. It also tells you exactly what the prize will cost to fulfil. Point a Visit a Page Action at your subscribe-and-save page, so entrants see what a regular order looks like.

A voucher for your store lets the winner choose, which widens the appeal if you sell a wide range. It also sends people to your store to see what they could win.

Put the amount in the title: "Win a $250 store credit" beats "Win a shopping spree". A voucher for your own store also keeps the prize tied to what you sell, which a generic gift card can't.

A Visit a Page Action pointed at your store does the browsing for you. Seasonal versions sit under Back to School, Christmas, Mother's Day and Black Friday below. The Shopify Store Giveaway Template is set up for this.

A bundle raises the value of your prize without spending heavily on any single item, and appeals to more people than a single product would. Always include your own product, and leave out anything that competes with it.

List every item in the bundle and what it's worth, and add up the total. Aim for five to eight items around one theme. Much past that and it starts to look like a clear-out.

A restaurant can bundle cooking equipment, its own sauces and a recipe book. A spa can put together an at-home kit of treatments and scented candles. Before Black Friday, a bundle drawn before the sale starts takes the pressure off the winner's shopping list.

Creators without a product of their own can curate a bundle of things their audience already loves. To add partners' products, see Partner Bundles below.

A popular, in-demand product draws a wide audience. We'd expect the newest model to draw the most interest, though it still needs to suit your market.

A few that work for most audiences:

• The current flagship iPhone or Android phone
• Bluetooth speakers or headphones
• A smartwatch with a fitness band or two
• A new laptop or tablet

State the exact model tier, storage and colour, and whether it ships unlocked. People will look it up, and "a new laptop" can mean anything from $300 to $3,000. In our wider prize data (campaigns with 100+ entrants), the typical stated value of a tech hardware prize was about $300.

Popular products attract people who enter everything, so pair yours with Actions only a real fan would bother with. A Question Action asking which of your products they'd pick works well.

Cash appeals to everyone, including people who enter every giveaway going (sweepers), so it tells you very little about who wants your product.

If you still want to give cash, check the giveaway rules where your entrants live first. Restrict entries by location (on the Pro Plan and above) keeps entries to the countries you've checked. A voucher for your own store keeps most of the appeal and filters for people who'd actually shop with you.

Partnering with other brands raises the value of your prize, and you'll put your giveaway in front of their audience as well as yours.

Pick partners whose products complement yours. A competitor in the same prize pool pulls attention away from what you sell. There's a Brand Partnership Giveaway Template you can start from.

A prize pool gives entrants something valuable and shows off what every partner sells. How much each partner puts in depends on how many of you there are.

Agree in writing who contributes what, who ships it and by when, before you launch. Then give each partner their own Action in the giveaway (a follow or a visit to their store), so everyone gets something back.

If you've made a product with another brand or an influencer, giving it away draws attention to it and uses both audiences at once.

Name both partners and the edition in the prize ("the full ColourPop x Bratz collection"). Give each side's audience its own follow Action.

For a collaborative giveaway, we'd start with a bundle from several partners. Pooling products gives you a bigger prize than any one of you would put up alone.

List each partner's piece and what it's worth, for example a year of hosting, an annual design-tool licence and a seat on a paid course. The same deal works outside B2B.

• Bloggers with a sizeable following can ask the brands they recommend for a prize, in exchange for publicity and a follow Action (running a collaborative giveaway covers how)
• Streamers can ask a hardware brand for a PC, console, headset or chair in exchange for Actions and a mention on stream
• YouTubers can offer to feature a brand's product in a video in exchange for one to give away, and past partners are the easiest to ask again

Gleam can't verify an Instagram follow automatically, so check the winner's follow by hand before you rely on it. Start from the Influencer Giveaway Template.

Experiences take more organising than a product, because you're booking dates, travel or someone's time. In return, you get a prize your winner can't buy off a shelf.

In the same prize data, experiences drew about 40% fewer entrants than typical for prizes of the same value.

Pick one because it suits the people you want to reach, and expect a smaller crowd for the money.

A free holiday is about as big as your prize can get. If your market is in one place, offer a nearby getaway. A global business can fly the winner in from anywhere.

Be specific about what's included before you list the destination: flights for two, how many nights, the travel window and any dates that are off limits. Then match the trip to your audience.

• An outdoor brand can offer a skiing, surfing or hiking trip that suits what it sells
• A fashion or beauty brand can offer New York, Paris, Milan or London, with spending money for a shopping trip
• A beach getaway suits most brands, especially swimwear, beauty and accessories

If you can only fly winners from certain countries, restrict entries by location on the Pro Plan and above. It matches countries and continents, and can't narrow entries to a state or city.

Tickets to an event your audience cares about make a strong prize, either local tickets or an all-inclusive trip with flights and a hotel.

Choose an event your market would pay to attend:

• Sporting events, where better seats make a more valuable prize
• Music concerts or stage productions
• Fashion shows, for clothing and beauty brands
• Opening night movie tickets, for local businesses
• Professional conferences, for B2B brands

Name the event, the date and the seats ("two tickets in the lower bowl"), and say whether travel is included. Sports brands give away a typical $720 prize in our benchmarks. The Event Promotion Giveaway Template is set up for this.

A night out. Build a night your audience would plan for themselves, then book the tickets and tables for the winner: a romantic date, a girls' night or a guys' night. Give it a cap and a list, like dinner for two up to a set amount, two theatre tickets and a ride home. Gleam's location restriction works by country, so name the city in your Terms & Conditions.

A special activity. Skydiving, a hot air balloon ride, a helicopter tour or a snorkelling trip gives people something to talk about, and sites like Viator list plenty more. A voucher the winner can redeem within 12 months saves you from picking a date they can't make, and a Question Action with image choices can ask entrants which activity they'd pick.

A meet and greet. This suits creators with a loyal audience, brands working with an influencer and B2B founders people want to meet. A video call works for a global audience, like the Muckender Towels calls at the top of this post. Name the length and the format ("a 30-minute video call" or "two backstage passes and a photo"), and pair it with a Spotify or Twitch follow.

A seat at a virtual event. A masterclass, an exclusive webinar or a live product teardown works for anyone, wherever they live. Name the session and its date ("a seat in our live product teardown with the founder" is clearer than "exclusive access"), and use a Question Action to ask entrants what they'd want covered.

Subscription boxes, software and other subscription services can use a giveaway to get people trying what they offer.

• A monthly or yearly subscription. A free year keeps attention on your business, and winners who enjoy it may stay on as paying subscribers, so say which tier and how long ("12 months of Premium") and what happens when it ends. A Visit a Page Action to your plans page shows entrants what they'd pay once the free year ends.

• An upgraded membership. Free upgrades reward your customers and promote your higher tiers. Winners who aren't customers yet can get your basic tier instead. Three or six months is long enough to get used to the better tier. Email existing members a Secret Code (Hobby Plan and above) for bonus entries.

• Companion products. A product that goes with your subscription grabs attention without giving the subscription away, such as cooking equipment for a food box, home theatre gear for a streaming service or a named office chair for business software. A Question Action can ask which one entrants would add to their box.

If you run a restaurant, hotel or spa, give away the thing you sell. Winners who enjoy it come back and bring friends.

• A free meal or stay. It's a low-cost prize you can offer often, so name it: "dinner for two from the tasting menu" or "a weekday night in a sea-view room". A Facebook Check-in Action invites entrants to check in at your venue, but Gleam can't confirm the visit, so don't treat a check-in as proof someone came in. There's a Restaurant Promotion Giveaway Template you can start from.

• A luxury experience. Go further than a free meal. A restaurant can offer the best table with a bottle of fine wine and a private serving team, and a hotel a suite with champagne and meals. List every part, down to the bottle. Viral Share (Pro and above) suits a prize for two, because entrants earn extra entries when a friend they referred enters.

To build a bigger experience with a nearby venue, see Partner Prizes. Product bundles for restaurants and spas are under Product Bundles.

Finding new clients is the hard part of running a service business, and these prizes put your service in front of them.

• A free service. Giving away what you do introduces people to your business, and specifics help: "12 cuts, one a month" is clearer than "a year of haircuts", and a B2B studio can offer "a five-page website build". Gleam's location restriction works by country, so say the area in your Terms & Conditions and ask for a postcode with Custom Fields (Business Plan and above).

• Discounts. A discount gets people to try your service and can turn them into regulars. Give away lots of them and keep entry short. "$100 off microblading" tells people far more than "a discount". A Coupon Action (Business Rewards or a Full Package plan) hands each winner a code.

• Related products. A gardener can give away gardening supplies, and a hairdresser hair care products. They reach the right people and remind them why your service matters. Send entrants to your booking page with a Visit a Page Action, so the prize leads straight to an appointment.

A B2B giveaway can generate leads from a relevant audience. B2B prizes in Gleam's benchmarks run at a typical $200.

• A coaching or consulting session. Your expertise is a prize nobody else can offer, and it shows you know your field. Make it a defined session: "a 60-minute ads audit with our head of growth". A Question Action asking about the entrant's biggest problem tells you who to follow up first. Start from the Ask a Question Giveaway Template.

• A free membership or subscription. Offer an annual seat on a named plan, and a few extra seats for the winner's team if you can. A Subscribe Action sends entrants who opt in to your email provider or CRM (which providers you can connect depends on your plan, and our pricing page lists them).

• Related products. A prize pack everyone in your market can use widens the audience. A monitor, a standing desk or noise-cancelling headphones all work, as long as you name the exact model.

LinkedIn doesn't allow giveaways run on LinkedIn, so host yours on your own site and use LinkedIn only to share the link. A free service for B2B clients is under Service Businesses, and bundles with other B2B brands are under Partner Bundles.

A blog doesn't have a product of its own to give away, so the prize has to be something your readers already want.

• Products in your area of expertise. Your all-time or recent favourite recommendations make the best prizes. Fashion and beauty bloggers can give away the makeup they recommend, or vouchers for their favourite stores. Travel bloggers can offer backpacks, suitcases or cameras, and food bloggers recipe books or kitchen appliances. Add a Subscribe Action so entrants can join your newsletter.

Health and fitness blogs can give away workout plans, gear or home equipment, and DIY blogs tools or furniture. To get the prize from the brands you recommend, see Partner Bundles.

If you're a streamer, a giveaway finds new viewers and grows your following. Esports accounts give away a typical $400 prize in Gleam's benchmarks.

• A video game. A game you stream attracts people who like the same games you do. Say the platform and the edition ("a Steam key for the deluxe edition"), because a PlayStation copy is no use to a PC player.

• Game keys and in-game items. They're cheap to send, and they only appeal to people who play. Name the game, the platform and the item ("a Steam key", "a battle pass for this season"). A Steam Action (on the Hobby Plan and above) keeps the entries to people who actually use Steam. The Steam Game Promotion Giveaway Template is set up for this.

• Streaming gear. Some of your viewers want to stream too. A starter kit (a USB microphone, a 1080p webcam and a key light) is a prize they'd struggle to justify buying themselves. Pair it with a Twitch follow, which Gleam checks with Twitch itself (though that doesn't prove every account belongs to a genuine person). There's a Twitch Follower Giveaway Template you can start from.

• A computer or console. A big-ticket prize puts your stream in front of a much bigger audience, so spell out the console, the storage size, and whether games and a second controller come with it. If a full machine is out of budget, a single accessory is a good route.

• Gift cards. An Xbox, PlayStation or Steam gift card is cheap and suits smaller channels just starting out. Put the card and the amount in the campaign title, like "Win a $50 Steam gift card". If it's a Steam card, add a Steam Action so entries come from people who play on Steam.

• Gaming accessories. Headsets, mice, keyboards, controllers and chairs all work, and the latest models draw the most interest. Pick the exact model your audience already talks about in chat, and the version for their platform. If a brand supplies it, give them a Visit a Page Action to the product page.

• Online currency. If your game has its own currency, such as Fortnite's V-Bucks, give some away, or skins and other virtual goods. It finds people who already play the game you stream, so they're likely to stick around. "5,000 V-Bucks on PC" is the level of detail to aim for. Pair it with a Twitch follow.

Merchandise is under Content Creators, and getting a brand to supply a PC or headset is under Partner Bundles.

A giveaway can drive listens and follows across Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube and your social channels, as long as the prize appeals to people who'd enjoy your music.

• Your own music. Downloads, CDs, vinyl or a full album collection all engage your fans and get new listeners checking you out. The most wanted version is usually the rarest one: a signed test pressing, a coloured vinyl variant, or the first copies of a new record. Pair it with a Spotify pre-save (the Pre-Save Action is on the Premium Plan) so the giveaway also lifts your release-day listens. Start from the Music Promotion Giveaway Template.

• A curated album collection. A set of your favourite albums appeals to your fans and to people who share your taste. Include some of your own music, so new people give you a listen. Fans will want to see every record in the set, so list them, and add a Spotify follow Action.

• Concert tickets. Free tickets to an upcoming show build interest in your music and your tour, and VIP or backstage passes add value. Name the show, the city and what's included ("two tickets and a soundcheck visit in Manchester"). If the tour stays in a few countries, restrict entries by location so you're not picking a winner who can't attend.

• Musical equipment. An instrument, speakers, a record player or DJ gear has broad appeal and drives listens from people who'd never heard you. Choose gear you actually use and name it, because fans like owning the pedal or synth they've heard on your record. A Submit Media Action (Pro Plan and above) can ask entrants for a clip of them playing.

Signed merchandise is under Content Creators.

Creators on YouTube and other platforms can use giveaways to keep viewers engaged and grow a following. You don't need a big budget. Content creators give away a typical $100 prize in Gleam's benchmarks, the lowest of the industries in the study.

• Products your fans will enjoy. The best ones are highly relevant to your content. A fashion and beauty creator can give away a beauty bundle, designer jewellery or a watch. A travel creator can offer luggage, hiking boots, a GoPro or flight vouchers. Link a Visit a Page Action to the video where you use it, so entrants see it in action first.

• Merchandise. Your own merch rewards the fans you've already got, and it adds value to another prize. It won't bring in many new viewers on its own. Signed and limited beats a full catalogue: "one of 25 signed hoodies from this year's drop". Musicians can print a Secret Code (Hobby Plan and above) at the merch stand for bonus entries.

• Photography gear for a photo contest. Professional kit brings you good user generated content from people who take photography seriously. Name the camera body and lens in the prize, because photographers will care which ones. Ask for entries with Submit Media and pick the best shot with Manual Winners, both on the Pro Plan and above. The Photo Contest Template is set up for this.

Products from your brand partners are under Partner Bundles.

A holiday or season gives people a reason to pay attention now. Even when the holiday doesn't match your brand, it's a backdrop for your giveaway.

Clothing, beauty and outdoor brands suit the season best, but summer giveaways work for any brand.

• A summer holiday. A beach getaway attracts plenty of entries, and you can bundle your own products in with it. It suits hotels and water sports or amusement parks, which can add their own offering. Give the trip a shape: "four nights for two at a beach resort, flights included, travel in July or August". There's a Summer Giveaway Template you can start from.

• Family activities. Trips to a zoo, aquarium, museum, water park or amusement park, tickets to a show, or a beach day with surfing or snorkelling all work. If you run one of these yourself, it's the best prize you can offer. Say how many people it covers. "A family pass for two adults and two children" saves a lot of questions.

• Summer supplies. Summer clothing, picnic and BBQ supplies, outdoor furniture, camping gear, inflatable pools and backyard games all fit a summer bundle. Partner with other brands if you don't sell them yourself. Price each item, so entrants can see what the whole bundle is worth.

• A cold weather care package. Sweaters, blankets, a thermos, tea and coffee sets, candles, chocolates and books all fit. A care package lands better with a theme and a count, like "a blanket, a mug, a candle and three months of a streaming service". A Question Action can ask entrants for their favourite winter comfort.

• Winter gear. A prize that gets people out in the cold suits outdoor brands. Jackets, gloves, ski gear, snowboards and camping gear all work, and it's strongest when the gear is yours. Say which sizes you'll cover, because a jacket that doesn't fit is no use to the winner.

• A winter holiday. A ski trip, a spa retreat, a city break or a beach escape from the cold all work, depending on your audience. Name the resort or region and the nights, and check whether a ski trip needs a lift pass and equipment hire on top. Restrict entries by location (Pro Plan and above) to the countries you can fly winners from.

Back to school suits you if you sell clothes, school supplies or anything for families.

• School supplies. Books, binders, backpacks, stationery and clothing make a strong bundle, and your own products make it better. List what's in it and the total value.

• A back-to-school shopping spree. Put a value on it and say what it covers: "$200 to spend on uniforms and stationery". Vouchers and Shopping Sprees has the rest. Start from the Back to School Giveaway Template.

Everyone's buying presents for themselves and others, so it's a good time to promote your products and reward your audience.

• A Christmas shopping spree. "$500 to spend in our store before 24 December" is clearer than "a Christmas shopping spree". The date matters if the prize is meant for gifts. Vouchers for your own store bring entrants to your products. Start from the Christmas Giveaway Template or run a 12 Days of Christmas giveaway.

• Decorations and supplies. A Christmas bundle can include a tree, lights and ornaments, gingerbread and candy canes, wrapping paper, and crackers or family games. List each piece. A Submit Media Action (Pro Plan and above) can ask entrants for a photo of their tree.

• Presents. Your own products work best, but anything your audience would love works too. Coffee machines, tablets, smart watches, jewellery and perfume all fit, and families like video games, toys and bikes they can give their kids. Wrap them, and you've got your announcement photo. The 12 Days of Christmas template gives away a different one each day.

Easter is another fun holiday you can use as the backdrop for a contest or giveaway. Give away your own products with an Easter twist, or stick to the theme.

• Chocolate and other treats. Chocolate draws attention to your giveaway, and you can bundle your own products in with it, along with toy bunnies or baking supplies. Say the size of the hamper, or count the eggs. An egg hunt can hide Secret Codes (Hobby Plan and above) around your site. Start from the Easter Giveaway Template or the Easter Egg Hunt Template.

• A long weekend away. The Easter long weekend is a chance for a short break. Match it to your audience: a romantic getaway, a trip with friends or a family retreat. Name the nights, the place and who it's for ("three nights for two in Essex").

If your audience includes mothers, running a Mother's Day giveaway is a way to offer a special treat.

• A day or night out. A spa treatment, tickets to a show, or dinner and drinks with friends all work. Give the winner a date window, so a mum with a busy diary can still use it. A Question Action can ask entrants why their mum deserves it.

• A shopping spree. Vouchers for your own store work best ("a $250 gift card to spend before Mother's Day"). Vouchers and Shopping Sprees has the rest.

• Special gifts. A hamper of flowers, chocolates, candles, scented soaps and moisturiser makes a strong prize, with your own product in it if it fits. List what's inside. Close entries a week before the day so the prize can arrive in time. The Mother's Day Giveaway Template is set up for this.

If fathers are part of your market, Father's Day is a good moment for your giveaway.

• Tools and gadgets. They're a cliché because they work, so try a toolbox with tools, smart watches, tablets, or a lawnmower. Name the brand and the set ("a 100-piece socket set and a cordless drill"), because this is an audience that'll want the spec. There's a Father's Day Sweepstakes Template you can start from.

• Your own Father's Day present. If you sell something that makes a good present, give that away. Ties, watches, camping and fishing gear and shaving kits all work. A Visit a Page Action to your gift guide shows entrants everything else you'd suggest.

• Fun activities. A boating or fishing trip, tickets to a sporting event, or a supercar driving day all make a good day out. Say how many people it covers, so the winner knows who they can bring. We have a fishing competition template you can start from.

If you sell anything romantic, Valentine's Day is the obvious time to give it away. If you don't, one of these prizes still fits the day.

• A romantic getaway. A resort, a secluded cabin or a city hotel with a romantic dinner all work. Two nights for two with dinner on the first is a clear, priceable prize. Let the winner choose the dates within a set window. Start from the Valentine's Day Giveaway Template.

• A date night. A voucher for dinner and a movie, ice skating, a dance class or a show makes a simpler prize. Name each part ("dinner for two and two cinema tickets"), and say the city in your Terms & Conditions.

• A romance bundle. Flowers, chocolates, a bottle of wine, scented candles and bath bombs fit a Valentine's bundle, especially with your own product in it. Send entrants to your Valentine's range with a Visit a Page Action.

• A Valentine's present. It's a romance bundle with one more valuable present at its centre, ideally your own. Jewellery, lingerie, beauty products, slippers and a dressing gown, or photo frames all work. A Question Action with image choices lets entrants pick the piece they'd want.

• A friends' night out. A guys', gals' or mixed night out reaches people who aren't celebrating the day. Dinner and drinks, show tickets, spa treatments or paintballing all work. Viral Share (Pro and above) suits a prize for a group, because entrants earn extra entries when the friends they refer enter.

• Anti-Valentine's prizes. If your products don't fit the day, go the other way with prizes people enjoy alone or with friends. A Nintendo with some games, board games, cocktail mixers, Bluetooth speakers or a pampering kit all work. Your own product works here too, if it fits the theme.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping days of your year. A giveaway in the run-up can promote your Black Friday sales and show off your deals.

• A Black Friday shopping spree. Store vouchers promote your products and your deals at once. Close entries and draw the winner before the sale starts, so the credit can be spent on the day. "$1,000 store credit to use on Black Friday" is the specific version. The Black Friday Giveaway Template is set up for this.

A bundle of your own products is under Product Bundles, and a discount code for every entrant is under Bonus Prizes.

A runner-up or consolation prize for entrants adds a reason to enter, and it keeps people buying after the giveaway ends.

A discount code for everyone who enters makes entering more appealing and drives sales once the giveaway is over.

In Gleam, add a Coupon Action (Business Rewards or a Full Package plan) so entrants unlock a code as they enter. Or, on the Business Plan and above, turn on Custom Confirmation Email in the Post-Entry tab and add the code, so every entrant gets one. Name the discount and the expiry ("15% off, valid for 14 days").

Smaller runner-up prizes alongside your grand prize raise the odds of winning something, so more people enter. If they're your own product, more people get to try it.

A common shape is one grand prize plus 10 smaller ones of the same product. Check your plan's prize and winner limits before you promise numbers. The Hobby Plan allows 25 winners per Competition, so this shape fits every paid plan.

Before you commit, run your prize past the Muckender test from the top of this post. Check that the people you want as customers would enter for it and that few others would bother.

If your own product is the prize, start from the Online Store Promotion Giveaway Template and swap in the exact product you're giving away. For the giveaway itself, our guide to 40 giveaway ideas has formats to pair with any prize here.