6 Giveaway Email Examples and Templates

Giveaway is a magical word that makes everyone’s ears perk up. For everyday folks, free stuff is the best stuff. And for marketers? It’s the highway to increased sales and a list filled with engaged email subscribers. When done right, of course.

The giveaway’s name tells what it’s all about – offering a prize (free products, gifts, or services) to one or a few participants selected from a pool of entries. Yet, if you only hand out things (their price tag isn’t the issue), your prospects will remember you only while you do it. To stay on their minds, you must go with smaller prizes that speak your brand loudly (warding off freebie-seekers).

Once you have that sorted out, here comes the time for giveaway campaign promotion on the proper channels. No doubt, email marketing is a top choice. Giveaway emails do a great job not only for their high open rate of 21.5%. They also guarantee much bigger customer engagement and are the go-to way to update the recipients about your contest.

That said, let’s dive deeper into the world of giveaway emails!

What is a Giveaway Email?

You can recognize one at first glance – usually, giveaway emails scream “get free stuff” from the top of their lungs. Yet, as with anything marketing, there are more layers to notice.

Giveaway email campaigns can become real pals for businesses looking to connect with their target audience, foster customer loyalty, and create a buzz around their brand. 

Here are a few good reasons to add “create a giveaway email campaign” to your work calendar:

• Re-engage with your audience. Routine newsletters and constant promotions might result in your brand’s and subscribers’ relationships going stale. Reignite the initial spark by surprising them with a bouquet of free stuff they might win.
• Grow your email list. This can go two ways. First, you create a viral giveaway that new people start coming to you. Or (honestly – much more realistic), you encourage the current audience to share it with others on social media, fuelling WOM (Word of Mouth).
• Improve your brand image. Though getting free stuff won’t cure all issues, it definitely shines a positive light on the giver. Stay humble and encourage people to mention your brand nicely on social media.
• Show off your product. The prize you give away shouldn’t look attractive just because it’s given away. Show that it’s worth everybody’s attention and convince those who don’t win to buy it.
• Create one is easy and affordable. If the past promotions hurt your wallet, giveaways could be your next guys. After all, you only need one product and some email marketing skills.

That said, it’s time to get inspired and roll up your sleeves for your following giveaway email.

Best Giveaway Email Examples

It doesn’t matter if you’re short on giveaway concepts, prize ideas, copies, email designs, or everything at once. You’ll find your muse among these beautifully crafted giveaway email examples:

Joggy

Though giveaways cannot glue your audience’s eyes on you, they can draw some gazes. Consider how to leverage this power further besides just showing off in the email. For example, Joggy ensured their brand name spread like wildfire across Instagram: 

Subject line: GIVEAWAY: Joggy x Y7 Studio®

What we love:

• The prize is put in the main focus as the biggest incentive to participate;
• The entry instructions are 1-2-easy;
• The CTA (Call-to-Action) button is as prominent as it can be.

‘Like & follow’ type of giveaway contests are great not only for your brand image. Quick, easy-to-understand entry steps also guarantee a bigger number of giveaway participants. It’s not that hard to click one button, right? 

And once the eager-to-win participants are on your account, why not encourage them to pass the word on? Including “Tag a friend” or “Share on your profile” into the terms is a no-brainer with much-returner.

Don’t let anyone stop you from creating and sending out such engaging giveaway emails! 

Getaway

Here’s an incentive to participate you won’t see often but works wonders – doing something good for others, like nominating your loved one for being the best in X (of course, they’re the best, and the rest should know it).

Subject line: Mom’s Day Giveaway

What we love:

• Usually, giveaways evoke only the “I want it!” emotion. This one packs in appreciation and respect for others;
• The giveaway hits that sweet spot in the meaning of Mother’s Day;
• Conditions of entry might look complicated at first glance, but CTA is clear – you can do it now.

If you’re already checking the calendar for upcoming occasions to create your emotional giveaway, there are still a few things to remember. First, create a set of fair and clear rules. Consider every exclusion, exceptional circumstance, and essential detail to avoid misunderstanding. Second, consider a smaller gift a consolidation prize for non-winners and win over their hearts.

Not Pot

We’ve already talked about how giveaways just work. But let’s make them even more engaging! Look at this fun giveaway email example from Not Pot and tell us you don’t want to enter the giveaway without knowing the prize first:

Subject line: Exclusive giveaway 🚨

What we love:

• The colorful and exciting design with the crossword piece in the center makes it hard to look away;
• The giveaway promotes the brand’s products not only as contest prizes but also through crossword answers;
• Rather than linking the participants to the site, the brand invites them to reply to the email – talk about friendships.

Is it possible to push off this idea and create something (dare we say–) even better? Of course! Leverage email interactivity to make your giveaway more engaging. For example, you can create a “Review for a chance to win” email contest and invite your customers to leave a review straight inside the email without leaving the inbox.

The best part? You can create such interactive emails in no time with drag-and-drop email builders!

Just choose one of many visually appealing templates, drag-and-drop the content you need, and your giveaway email is ready to see the world! You can do it hassle-free with Sender.

Wildist

Understanding your audience and their needs has always been key to a campaign’s success. And giveaway contests are no exception. Wildist’s giveaway email is a stellar example:

Subject line: The giveaway you’ve been waiting for…

What we love:

• The prize got the memo about the theme and was sought after by Wildist’s audience;
• Entering the contest is not only very easy – it’s also motivational;
• Limited time to participate in the message makes it even harder to resist.

When creating a giveaway, ask yourself what makes your audience tick and use this information to think of a prize no one would miss. Yet, as much as it is desired, it doesn’t mean it’s hard to get. Think of something your customers are already willing to share or do.

Birchbox

This might come as a surprise, but some giveaways are successful with just one participant; all come out lucky, none – as losers. For instance, rather than creating a huge giveaway with low chances of winning, Birchbox created many where each new customer wins and ends up happy:

Subject line: Lucky You!: There’s Still Time to Claim Your Prize

What we love:

• The prize is guaranteed, so all customers are happy winners;
• The giveaway is gamified, adding a splash of fun;
• The email headline, “We see something awesome in your future,” combined with a fortune teller game, arouses irresistible curiosity.

The lesson is that a single-person giveaway is a straight way to your customers’ hearts. Yet, don’t just deal gifts to the right and the left. To grab and keep attention, think about how you can also show your brand’s charming side.

Design Within Reach

Here’s a thing about people… We like to get something, but we LOVE to earn something. Keep this in mind when creating your giveaway entry rules – let people put in a little effort but don’t overdo it. Here’s a simple yet highly effective idea from Design Within Reach (they’re using it for the 13th time, actually!):

Subject line: Call for entries: DWR Champagne Chair Contest

What we love:

• The contest perfectly fits the brand’s theme and, in return, the participants’ interest – fun design DIY;
• The participants are asked to use materials available at anyone’s home, making the entry accessible;
• To make it even more clear, the brand included creations from past contests.

How to create a (not too) simple giveaway? First, think about what motivates your audience to do something and how your brand’s products or services might play a role. Second, remove all the barriers possible so as not to discourage the participants. Finally, stick to accessible entry mechanisms (photo upload, hashtag use, email submission, etc.).

Best Giveaway Email Templates

Now that we’ve got your creative juices flowing and the idea for your giveaway emails is materializing, grab some tools to paint it – email templates for each stage of the giveaway.

Giveaway Teaser Email 

If the prize is big, like HUGE, teasing it a few days before the giveaway announcement is sure to ignite the curiosity and keep it burning. A few hints about the gift and the date of launch are sufficient.

Here’s how you start strong:

Subject line: Get Ready for Something Big
Preview text: Our Giveaway is Here!

Hey [Name],

We’ve got a secret we can’t keep to ourselves any longer. Brace yourself for an epic giveaway that will blow your mind! 🎉

Starting [Giveaway Start Date], we’re giving away incredible prizes to make you jump for joy.

Keep an eye on your inbox for the big reveal and your chance to score these jaw-dropping prizes. You won’t want to miss it!

Stay tuned,
[Your Company Name] Team

Giveaway Launch Email

You cram all the important details here and make a huge splash with captivating visuals and compelling copy. Things to mention: how to enter, when to enter, and what one might get for entering.

Build on this giveaway invitation template, or let your creativity take its course:

Subject line: Ready to Win? 
Preview text: Join Our Epic Giveaway Now!

Hey [Name],

Get ready to make your dreams come true! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our exciting giveaway. 🎉

Entering is a breeze – click the link below and follow the easy steps to get in the running. Remember, the more entries, the higher your chances of snagging that coveted prize.

But hurry, time is ticking! This giveaway won’t last forever. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to score big.

[CTA Button To Giveaway Landing Page]

Good luck! 🍀
The [Your Company Name] Team

P.S. Spread the word! Sharing is caring; the more friends you bring along, the more fun it’ll be. Let them know about our fantastic giveaway too!

Thanks for Signing Up Email

Even if you think that when the prize is so amazing, the participants should be thanking you… Express your gratitude for the participant’s time signing up or meeting the contest requirements. It’s a much better way to strengthen friendships.

Grab a template:

Subject line: You’re In! 
Preview text: [Name], Get Ready for Epic Rewards

Hey [Name],

You’re now officially part of an exclusive group of awesome individuals who have a shot at winning some incredible prizes. We’re crossing our fingers for you!

Stay tuned because we’ll be announcing the lucky winners very soon. In the meantime, keep spreading the giveaway love by sharing it with your friends and family. The more, the merrier!

Stay awesome,
[Your Brand]

Engagement Email 

People are forgetful beings, so reminding them of what opportunity they have after can never hurt. Re-engage the participants by sharing how they’re doing compared to others and what they can do to increase their chances.

There won’t be two identical engagement emails, but here’s a template to give an idea of how one might look:

Subject line: [Name], You’re Doing Great! 
Preview text: A Quick Update on Your Stats

Hey [Name],

Our giveaway contest has been up and running for one week now. Let’s see how you’re doing in comparison with other participants:

[Leaderboard]

There’s still time to double your chances of winning! You only need to [Action to be Taken]. 

The winners of the giveaway will be announced on [End Date].

Stay awesome,
[Your Brand]

Also read: Ultimate Email Engagement Guide: Examples & Tips

Last Call Email

This giveaway reminder email urges hesitant recipients to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity. Again, explain the whos, hows, and whens of the giveaway and sprinkle it with the good old “the time is running out quickly,” motivating them to act here and now.

Here’s what it might look like:

Subject line: Last Chance! 
Preview text: Don’t Miss Out on Our Incredible Giveaway!

Hey [Name],

Time is running out, and we don’t want you to miss your shot at winning big in our fantastic giveaway!

Why should you participate? We’re giving away some seriously awesome prizes that will make you jump for joy.

Click the link below now and follow the simple steps to secure your entry.

[CTA Button To Giveaway Landing Page]

Best of luck,
[Your Company Name] Team

Also read: 12 Last Chance Email Examples and Templates

Giveaway Winner Announcement Email

Undoubtedly, this is the most awaited email in the giveaway campaign. Pour here all the positivity you’ve got. Give a massive thanks to the winner for participating and an even more humongous congratulations on winning. Explain in detail how and where they can get their well-earned prize. Finally, encourage them to spread their joy across social media channels and don’t forget to mention your brand name.

Here’s a template of an email we’d all like to receive:

Subject line: You’re Our Lucky Winner!
Preview text: Congratulations!

Hey [Winner’s Name],

Stop everything and get ready to celebrate because you’re the lucky winner of our incredible giveaway contest! 🎉🎁

We couldn’t be more excited to announce that you’ve snagged the grand prize. You’ve proven that good things come to those who participate (and have a touch of luck!).

Now, it’s time to claim your well-deserved reward. We’ll be reaching out to you shortly with all the details on how to receive your [Prize]. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Thank you for participating in this thrilling journey and supporting our brand. Remember to share your joy on social media and tag us @[Brand’s Social Media Handle].

Cheers,
[Your Name or Brand]

Thanks for Participating Email

No one likes to leave as a loser. Soften the blow for the participants who didn’t get anything reminding them that they’ll always be winners in your brand’s heart – send a gift to clear the air, add a heartfelt message, and something to ease the pain like a special discount code. If your contest requires more than “like and share,” consider smaller surprise prizes for authors of the best entries.

Here’s a template to leave the participants with a fuzzy, not bitter feeling:

Subject line: You Rocked the Giveaway! Thank You!

Hey [Name],

You crushed it! We wanted to give you a massive shoutout and a heartfelt thank you for participating in our epic giveaway. Your enthusiasm and support made it an absolute blast!

Keep an eye on your inbox for future updates, exclusive offers, and exciting opportunities. We’re always cooking up something extraordinary and can’t wait to share it with you.

Stay awesome!
[Your Name or Brand]

How To Write a Giveaway Email?

You know the drill with any email – increase open rate, click-throughs, and conversions. As always, it’s easier said than done, but at least we did the saying part for you.

Here are a few simple tips on getting the most out of your giveaway email campaign.

• Write a good subject line. Like, REAL good.

In the cruel world of email marketing, pouring your heart and soul into giveaway email content is still not enough. You also need to convince people to open it.

But before tears roll down your eyes… Know that all it takes is a crafty giveaway email subject line. Hint about the fantastic prize waiting or revealing the cards immediately – everything goes as long as it sparks curiosity.

Here are some click-inducing subject lines you can use:

• Win [prize] in Our Epic Giveaway!
• Freebies Galore: Get Your Hands on [prize]
• Your Chance to Win Amazing Prizes!
• Ready, Set, Win: Join Our Giveaway!
• Get Lucky: Enter for a Shot at [prize]!
• Opportunity to Win Big Inside!

Did you notice how short and simple they are? The best-performing subject lines are between 21-38 characters. If it works for mobile users with small screens, it works for anyone.

• Use the power of preview text

Preview text is like your plan B – if the subject line isn’t enough to convince the recipient to open your email, a compelling preview text might do the trick. Preview text is the first text line after the subject line. Here’s where you raise the curtain into the email content.

When crafting one, ensure it’s linked to the subject line’s idea and reveals one or two attractive details about your giveaway.

Above is an example of a beautiful subject line and preview text combination. One is catchy; the other is informative. How could anyone decide not to click?

• [name], don’t forget to personalize!

“Hi there,” “Dear Sir/Madam,” or nothing gives off lazy vibes. In contrast, little effort put into personalization can do wonders when it comes to open rates.

The easiest way is to include the recipient’s first name in the subject line or the email content – it shows that you’re speaking to them, not next to them.

But true magic comes with segmentation. Personalize your content based on subscribers’ demographics, past behavior, or interest and reap the sweet fruits of engagement.

If you have the means and a situation that calls for it, also consider informing the place of the participant in the leaderboard or other details specific to the campaign.

Oh, and replying to people who reach out should go without saying.

• Power up with power words!

Power words evoke an emotional response. Sprinkle your giveaway communication with some, and you have a potent copy.

Here are more evident power words, but don’t let your creativity stop you there: win, exclusive, free, freebie, now, hurry, limited time, only, and lucky.

Yet, keep in mind that more doesn’t always mean better. Don’t overpromise with words like best, amazing, or unique and then underdeliver. If your customers’ expectations are hurt, the damage triples for your brand image.

Key Takeaways

Giveaway emails are a great way to create anticipation, make participation easy, and maintain engagement through the process – or, in other words, to make the giveaway campaign successful.

Here are the key takeaways to help you run a jealousy-inducing giveaway email campaign:

Also read: 

• 10 We Miss You Email Template Examples & Subject Lines
• 9 Promotional Email Examples to Grow Your Sales

Author bio: Vesta Oldenburg is a content writer specializing in email marketing strategies. In her daily work creativity intertwines with a strategic mindset to create content that captivates its readers.