Plan five posts, not one
A giveaway that gets one post gets forgotten. These templates follow the order that works:
- The announcement: the prize, in words a stranger gets at once.
- The steps to enter, as a story people can share.
- Last chance, with a time, the day it ends.
- The winner, by their handle.
- A thank you with a small treat for everyone else, like a code for 15% off.
The fifth post is the one most people skip, and it gives everyone who did not win a reason to buy.
Give away what you sell
A prize of your own product brings people who may buy it later. A big gift card brings people who only like gift cards, and they leave the day it ends. A month of classes, a dinner for four, your best-selling set: those work.
Say the rules on the picture
Instagram's promotion rules ask you to say that the giveaway is not sponsored by or connected with Instagram, and each announce and rules template has that small line. You can edit it, but keep what it says. The rules also say you may not ask people to tag themselves in a photo they are not in.
Say when it ends, how you pick the winner and that no purchase is needed. Rules for prizes differ by country and state, so check yours before a big one.
Ask for one thing
Follow, like, tag, share and comment is too much for a free candle. Keep it to two steps. A comment is the most useful one, since you can answer it, and with a comment automation Postfjord can send the code to everyone who enters.
FAQ
How do I pick a winner fairly?
Decide how before you start and say so in the post, like one comment drawn at random on Friday at 9 AM. Then draw it and post the name the same day.
Do I need to say Instagram is not involved?
Yes. Instagram's promotion rules ask for it in the rules of every promotion. The line is already in the announce and rules templates.
Can I use these on Facebook too?
Yes. Change the words in the line to name Facebook, since its rules ask for the same thing.