Style the piece
Difficulty: MediumBest on: Instagram
- Concept
- Post one piece, like a jacket, and ask how followers would style it. Your team picks the best styling idea with set criteria. The comments become a styling guide for other customers.
- How to enter
- Comment a description of an outfit built around the piece. Your team scores the ideas on creativity and wearability, and the top score wins.
- Prize idea
- The piece in the winner's size, or $80 in store credit if it's sold out (about $80).
- Avoid
- Don't give away one size only. Offer store credit if the winner's size isn't in stock.
New arrivals credit draw
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Instagram and Facebook
- Concept
- When a new collection lands, give away store credit the winner can spend on it. It sends people to look through the new arrivals, which is what you want. Credit also avoids the size problem.
- How to enter
- Comment the new piece you would buy first. Draw one winner at random from the comments.
- Prize idea
- $75 in store credit (about $75).
- Avoid
- Don't give credit that expires in a week. Allow at least two months so the winner can come in.
Try-on evening wheel
Difficulty: MediumBest on: In store
- Concept
- Host an evening try-on event and let every guest spin a prize wheel once. Small wins like free alterations or a tote bag keep it light. One bigger prize keeps the room excited.
- How to enter
- Come to the event and spin once. No purchase needed, and an RSVP is optional.
- Prize idea
- Small prizes like a tote or 10% off, plus one $100 gift card (about $180 for the night).
- Avoid
- Don't tie spins to spending. One spin for every guest keeps it a free giveaway and keeps the room friendly.
Personal styling session
Difficulty: MediumBest on: Instagram
- Concept
- Give away a one-hour styling session in the shop with a stylist and a drink. It costs mostly time. The winner may well find something they love while they're there.
- How to enter
- Comment the occasion you would like to be styled for. Draw one winner at random and book a date within a month.
- Prize idea
- A one-hour styling session plus $50 in store credit (about $100 to $150 in value).
- Avoid
- Don't push the winner to buy. The session is the prize, and any purchase is up to them.
Customer outfit of the week
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Instagram
- Concept
- Ask customers to post an outfit with something from your shop. Each week, pick a favorite with set criteria and feature it. It shows your clothes on real people of different shapes and ages.
- How to enter
- Post a photo with the shop's hashtag. Each Friday, pick a favorite using the same three criteria and feature it with permission.
- Prize idea
- $25 in store credit each week (about $100 a month).
- Avoid
- Don't edit customers' bodies in reposts. Repost the photo as they posted it, with credit.
Accessory mystery bag
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Instagram
- Concept
- Give away a bag of accessories: a scarf, earrings and a belt. Accessories fit everyone, so sizes don't matter. Show the bag sealed and reveal the contents with the winner.
- How to enter
- Comment your favorite accessory from the shop. Draw one winner at random from the comments.
- Prize idea
- An accessory bag worth about $60 to $90.
- Avoid
- Don't include returns or damaged stock. The unboxing will be public.
Local maker collab
Difficulty: MediumBest on: Instagram Collab post
- Concept
- Partner with a local jewelry or candle maker you stock. Give away a bundle of their work and yours. The maker's fans discover your shop, and your customers discover the maker.
- How to enter
- Comment on the Collab post with your favorite piece from either shop. Following is optional. Draw one winner from the comments.
- Prize idea
- A bundle from both businesses worth about $100.
- Avoid
- Don't sort out shipping on the day. Agree in writing who draws, who contacts the winner and who ships.
Birthday club draw
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Website and email
- Concept
- Invite customers to join a birthday list by email. Each month, draw one member whose birthday falls in that month. It builds a list you own and gives you a friendly reason to email.
- How to enter
- Sign up with a name, an email address and a birth month on the shop's form. Each month, draw one winner from members with that birth month.
- Prize idea
- $30 in birthday credit each month (about $360 a year).
- Avoid
- Don't ask for the full date of birth if you only need the month. Collect as little personal data as you can.
Window display vote
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Instagram and Facebook
- Concept
- Design two window displays and let followers vote on which one stays for the season. Everyone who votes in the comments enters a draw. People who voted will walk past to see 'their' window.
- How to enter
- Comment A or B on the vote post. Each person gets one entry, whichever window they pick. Draw one winner at random.
- Prize idea
- $50 in store credit (about $50).
- Avoid
- Don't give extra entries for picking the 'right' window. Every vote counts the same in the draw.
Ten-day gift guide
Difficulty: HardBest on: Instagram
- Concept
- Publish a gift guide of ten items from your shop and give one away each day for ten days. People browse the guide to see what's coming next. It doubles as holiday shopping help.
- How to enter
- Comment on each day's post to enter that day's draw. Earlier winners are left out of later draws.
- Prize idea
- Ten gifts from the guide (about $25 to $60 each).
- Avoid
- Don't announce more days than you can post. Schedule all ten posts before you start.
Closet clear-out donation week
Difficulty: EasyBest on: In store
- Concept
- Run a clothing donation week with a local shelter, and enter everyone who drops off a bag in a draw. It clears customers' closets, helps the shelter and brings people in. The draw is a small thank-you.
- How to enter
- Bring a bag of clean clothing during donation week and fill in an entry slip. Anyone can also ask for a free entry slip at the counter without donating.
- Prize idea
- $50 in store credit (about $50).
- Avoid
- Don't make the donation the only way in. Offer the free slip and say so on the poster.
Questions and answers
What's the best prize for a boutique giveaway?
Store credit or accessories, because sizes don't matter. If you give a piece of clothing, let the winner pick their size or swap it for credit.
Can a boutique require a purchase to enter?
It's best not to. A required purchase can change the legal status of a giveaway. Keep entry free.
How do I run a giveaway in the shop and online at the same time?
Collect both lists, merge them in a spreadsheet, remove people who entered twice and draw once with the random winner generator. Say in the rules that both kinds of entry count equally.
How often should a boutique run giveaways?
Once a season is plenty for most shops: a new collection, the holidays, your anniversary. Run them too often and followers start waiting for free things instead of buying.
Should a boutique partner with influencers?
A local creator who already shops with you is worth more than a big account with no tie to your area. Agree on disclosure up front and use clear disclosure hashtags.