Giveaways – The Ins and Outs

Giveaways are discussed often between handmade sellers.  Many times, the giveaways are held on a the blog of a shop owner or fan of handmade items.  Our team at HandmadeMarketing.org decided to ask handmade sellers what they think of giveaways.  We were surprised by the many different opinions!

Our team determined there are many reasons handmade shop owners and bloggers alike are drawn to giveaways.  Here are a few:

1. Boost Blog Traffic. If you have a blog centered around handmade items, some sellers suggest offering a giveaway as a way to boost traffic.  “I host a weekly giveaway on my blog,” said the Etsy shop owner of NatureManipulated.  “It definitely helps my blog views. I have gained a lot of blog subscribers in a short period of time. As for reulting sales, I’m not sure it helps but I don’t blog for that particular reason so I’m not too concerned. I blog and feature giveaways so readers can learn about new shops and artists.  My giveaways do increase views to the shop providing the items. My giveaway requires readers to visit their shop and post a link to their favorite item. Participating shops see an increase in hearts and some offer a discount to readers for the week their giveaway is up, although I have not yet received feedback as to whether they have received sales through that.  So far, jewelry, paper goods and art have had the strongest response.”  To see the blog, check it out here.
2. Increase Shop Traffic. Etsy sellers Amy and Misty, of Etsy shop HeathensHearth think giveaways are a way to boost Etsy shop traffic.  “We average 1 major (and sometimes 1 minor concurrent or overlapping) give away in our blog per month.  It definitely seems to help sales, if nothing else it definitely helps traffic.”  Using blog giveaways in your shop’s marketing plan could be essentially free Etsy advertising (minus the cost of your giveaway item, of course.)
   Monica, from an Etsy giveaway blog, says she thinks giveaways increase exposure to shops.  “On my blog I host free monthly giveaways,” she tells us.  Monica features and reviews a handmade item and it’s Etsy shop.
   “In the beginning of the month, a big feature is done on the seller and their shop with an interview which is submitted by seller approximately 3 weeks before,” Monica says.  She encourages shops that participate in the giveaways visit other shops featured, increasing shop exposure. 
   If you are interested in hosting your shop item giveaway with Monica, contact her at admin@myfunnybunny.com.
3. Spike in Handmade Sales. The shop owner of Etsy’s krugsecologic says giveaways are an easy way to attract potential buyers.  “Giveways are an excellent idea!!  Every time I do giveaways, I get a lot of views, and definitely sales.”
4. Socialize and Connect. “I’m just learning the importance of hosting and joining other sponsor’s giveaways,” said HandmadeMarketing.org reader Julie, from Etsy shop RockerJewlz.  “It’s provided exposure I was craving. The connections that are made can only continue the building of a necessary chain of promotion.  Once proper exposure is created, others naturally spread the word if you make the giveaway exciting enough!  Searching under your topic on the web was the best place for me to start,” Julie told us.  “I found blogs I never knew existed. I found a huge number of bloggers who happily provide free announcements for giveaways that all leads back to your very own little blog. And I will reciprocate and grow just like I’ve been hoping I would.”
5. Receive Feedback. Giveaways can provide a feedback opportunity for sellers.  Noelle Burke’s Etsy shop (Xenotees) has benefited from participating in handmade item giveaways.  “I’ve done a few Etsy giveaways on blogs and I do think they help my sales,” Noelle told us.  “More than that, they give me a great boost when I read people’s feedback. It also helps you realize what potential customers are attracted to most in your shop and what color shirts seem to be most popular. From a marketing standpoint it is a smart move, in my opinion.  I would highly encourage Etsy shops to participate in giveaways.”  Noelle suggests participating in giveaways at Etsy Giveaways and the Daily Etsian.
6. Advertising ROI. Giveaways may be a better return on investment (or “ROI”) compared to your other shop advertising options.  When advertising your handmade shop, our team suggests always keeping  your eye on getting “the biggest bang for  your advertising buck.”  Tara Gentile from HandmadeInPA.net agrees.  “My giveaways are driving at least 80 additional hits to each sponsoring shop just from the Handmade in PA.net site,” Tara tells us.  “Additional hits come from sharing the giveaway link on Twitter, Facebook, and other blogs.  For most giveaways, this is a much better ROI than placing an ad. Plus, giveaways generally give a personal story behind the shop, another thing an ad can’t do!”

However, we also found some reasons handmade sellers do not participate in giveaways:

1. Giveaways Don’t Necessarily Equal Sales. Although exposure may increase shop traffic, does the extra traffic always equal sales?  The shop owner of the Etsy shop BellissimaMinerals had a different experience with giveaways. “I tried a giveaway for 2 days a few weeks ago. I offered a free full size bonus gift with every purchase. I promoted it in my Shop Announcements, blog, email newsletter and Twitter. While my page views did increase (about 30%), I didn’t earn any sales from it.  I think that people who have already decided to buy will, and a giveaway is a nice bonus. Those that are ‘on the fence’ may be swayed by an incentive. But people who are not interested can’t be convinced with a freebie.”
2. Stand Firm. Jordan, of the Etsy shop OpulentOddities tells us bluntly why she isn’t interested in giveaways.  “I haven’t tried it, because I don’t think I need to give away my jewelry. I just won’t do it. I also won’t give away my items for it to be reviewed. I think its bollocks.”

In the handmade community, it seems natural for sellers to have interest in blog giveaways.  Giveaways seem to be a great way to boost traffic, potentially increase sales, and socialize with other artisans.  However, relying on giveaways as your only means to increasing sales may not be effective.

Our team suggests watching your shop traffic closely to determine if a giveaway you recently participated in is worth your time.  First, decide the dollar value for an hour of your time.  Depending on that number, making an extra $20 from traffic that came directly from a giveaway may be worth your time spent creating the giveaway item, contacting the blogger, and promoting the giveaway.

However, if the time sending Tweets, emailing past customers, promoting the giveaway in the forums, etc. far exceeds the sales your shop received from the item giveaway, consider another exposure option for  your shop.  Some sellers may not take the time to calculate the effort put into the giveaway – simply jump for excitement for the extra sale or two!

Thanks to all the shop owners who told us their experience with blog giveaways!

Have you had a positive or negative experience with giveaways?  What do you think are the pros and cons of participating?

Share your handmade giveaway ideas with HandmadeMarketing.org!  If our editors like your idea, we’ll post your thoughts and include a link back to your shop or blog as the source.  Adding your input helps the sellers here at HandmadeMarketing.org make up their own mind!

::  The “Shop Marketing on Etsy.com” Team ::