Between social media and Google algorithms, it's getting harder to be seen and to grow your email list these days. Learn what I've been doing to grow my email list by hundreds in a short amount of time.

If growing your email list feels hard…you’re not alone.

Between social media and Google algorithms, it’s getting harder to be seen these days. I feel it, and so do many other online businesses.

That’s why I’m always looking for marketing strategies that are simple, effective, and don’t require spending a lot of time or energy. (I’m an introverted, ADHD, peri-menopausal woman, so yeah, my focus and energy are limited, people).

One strategy I keep coming back to?

Running a giveaway.

No, I don’t mean giving away an iPad or spending hundreds of dollars on prizes. I’m talking about giving away something your audience wants that YOU created.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through the link, I get a small percentage at no additional charge to you. See my disclosure for more info.

What Is a Giveaway?

I’ve seen all sorts of giveaways online. It usually involves asking people to comment on a social media post or YouTube video. Don’t get me wrong, those are great!

But there’s another type of giveaway that can do much more than simply pick a random winner.

With giveaway software, the people who enter your giveaway can earn additional entries by sharing your giveaway on social media, following you on social media, visiting your website, watching a YouTube video, and more.

In other words, one giveaway can help you grow multiple parts of your business at the same time AND get you in front of brand new people! 🎉

Pretty exciting, right??!!

Why Giveaways Work So Well

The thing is, giveaways tap into what people naturally love to do, which is win, share exciting things, and feel part of something fun.

Unlike traditional marketing…a giveaway doesn’t feel like someone is trying to sell you something because the truth is, they’re not.

Instead, it feels like a fun opportunity, and that’s a completely different emotional experience.

Who Should Consider Running a Giveaway?

Do you have a business? Then you should run a giveaway.

Whether you sell products, courses, coaching, Etsy items, or services, giveaways can help introduce your business to brand-new people.

It’s especially great for introverts because it doesn’t require much energy (or being on camera). It also helps people to discover your business naturally instead of networking or doing reels.

Common Giveaway Myths

I think a lot of business owners shy away from giveaways because of some common myths.

Myth #1

You need a huge audience.

Reality: You don’t.

In fact, giveaways can help you build one.

Myth #2

You need to give away something expensive.

Reality: One of the biggest misconceptions.

Your ideal audience usually wants something related to your business much more than they want another generic gift card.

If they genuinely want what you’re giving away, they’re much more likely to share it with others. AND they’re likely to stay on your email list and maybe purchase something in the future.

Myth #3

You have to spend money on ads to run a successful giveaway.

Reality: Ads can help increase your reach, but they are completely optional.

In fact, I’ve had really successful giveaways without relying on any ads.

Why I Love Running Giveaways

The obvious reason I love running a giveaway is that it can grow my email list by hundreds within a week or two.

And it also grows my followers and spreads the word about my business to new people.

But there are other reasons why I love giveaways too that I didn’t expect but discovered after I did them: the positive feedback I received.

Whenever I post a giveaway on social media, I get such heart-warming comments from people who love my weekly newsletters or share how my membership has helped them so much.

Screen shot of the lovely comments for my giveaway.

I also enjoy seeing people excited to win something I created. 💖

Social media has become very negative, as you know, and marketing tactics out there can be so icky these days that seeing something positive and being a part of it is a breath of fresh air.

How to Run a Giveaway

I haven’t seen anyone teach how to do a giveaway, so I created a training for it!

In the Grow Your Email List with a Giveaway training you can quickly learn:

How to choose the right prize to attract super fans
How to set up and use KingSumo to run your giveaway
Where to share your giveaway for best results
What to do after your giveaway is finished (including how to manually import your new subscribers)

Bonus: Canva banner templates to design your giveaway banners in a flash!

A sample of some of the giveaway banner templates you’ll receive.

So, if your email list isn’t growing as quickly as you’d like, or you’ve been putting off running a giveaway because you weren’t sure where to start, this course will show you exactly how.

This course is available only inside the Introvert VA Club. Click here to join and get access to this training, a full library of trainings + templates, and a supportive community.

Your future customers can’t join your email list if they don’t know you exist. A giveaway is one of the easiest ways to change that.

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