Growing your mailing list can feel like trying to catch water with a sieve? You pour your energy (and dollars) into ads, write content until your brain hurts, and still — subscribers trickle in at a snail’s pace. But what if I told you there’s a faster, more cost-effective way to get more subscribers? Say hello to collaborative giveaways.

By joining forces with other brands, you can reach new audiences, snag more subscribers, and even boost your sales — all without draining your budget on ads.

This guide will walk you through how to run a collaborative giveaway with like-minded brands, covering everything from:

1. Finding the perfect partners
2. Approaching potential partners
3. Creating a winning proposal
4. Running the giveaway smoothly
5. Maximising results
6. and lots more…

If you’re ready to grow your email list faster than you ever thought possible, keep reading. 

Why Collaborative Giveaways Are So Effective

Building an email list can feel like watching paint dry — and a fancy, overpriced can of paint at that. You throw money at ads, churn out endless content, but the results? Yeah, not exactly impressive.

That’s where collaborative giveaways come in and shake things up.

1. Low Cost, High Reward

Forget splurging on ads. With collaborative giveaways, you share the promo work with your partners. All you usually have to chip in is a prize.

Once you get the hang of it, running these giveaways becomes a breeze. And as your list grows, bigger brands will want to jump on board. 

More reach, less stress — it’s a win-win!

2. Reach New, Engaged Audiences

It’s not just about reaching more people; it’s about reaching the right people. 

By joining forces with brands that complement yours, you’re tapping into audiences who already have a soft spot for the kind of thing you offer. These are the folks who are more likely to become a customer than the average person.

3. Rapid Growth in Record Time

Growing an email list can be a slow grind. But with collaborative giveaways, you could scoop up hundreds (sometimes, thousands) of new subscribers in just a few weeks.

Think about it: a well-executed giveaway can bring in as many subscribers in a month as you’d normally get in a year. Sounds like magic, doesn’t it?

4. Elevate Your Brand Image

Partnering with well-known brands gives you more street cred. 

When people see your brand alongside others they trust, it gives your credibility a major boost. It’s like getting an invite to the VIP section.

5. Forge Lasting Business Relationships

Collaborative giveaways aren’t just about bulking up your email list—they’re also about building relationships. Who knows? This could be the start of some beautiful partnerships. Maybe you’ll collaborate on future projects, or even co-create a product someday.

Finding Partners for Collaborative Giveaways

The success of your giveaway hinges on finding the right partners. You need brands that complement yours and attract an audience that would naturally be interested in what you offer.

Think of it like finding the perfect dance partner — someone who matches your rhythm without stepping on your toes!

Here’s what to look for:

1. Complementary, Not Competing

The goal here is to find brands that offer products or services related to yours — but aren’t direct competitors.

For instance, if you sell organic skincare, partnering with a brand that offers eco-friendly clothing or wellness products is a perfect match. You both attract customers who value sustainability but in different areas.

Start your search on social media. Peek at the brands your followers are already engaging with. Who are they tagging in their posts? What brands are they talking about? You might stumble upon the perfect partners.

2. Make Sure Your Audiences Overlap

Finding brands with similar audiences is key. If you’re a pet brand, teaming up with a luxury handbag brand probably won’t move the needle much.

A little detective work on Facebook Audience Insights can give you a good starting point. 

Want to dig deeper? Send out a quick survey to your email list and ask them which other brands they love. You might discover some unexpected but amazing partners!

3. Shared Values Are Key

Partnering with a brand that shares your values is essential. It keeps your messaging on point and avoids any awkward moments.

Check out potential partners’ “About Us” pages. Do they care about sustainability? Are they big on quality and customer happiness? This alignment is a must for a smooth, successful giveaway — and it keeps your brand image intact.

4. Check Out Their Email Game

A strong email marketing game means a brand has an engaged list — exactly what you need to make your giveaway shine.

Sign up for their list and see what happens. Do they send a friendly welcome email? Are their messages clear and inviting? If they’ve got that nailed, they might just be a fantastic partner.

Do they have a signup form on their website? A popup asking people to join their list? Maybe they offer a discount or a freebie for signing up? All good signs of a healthy email list.

Curious to see how your email marketing stacks up? Take a look at our email marketing checklist for tips and tricks to give your growth a boost.

5. Hit the Marketplaces and Stores

Sometimes, the best way to find potential partners is to get out there and see for yourself. Don’t just rely on online tools — visit the places where your customers are shopping.

• In the food and beverage industry? Head to your local supermarket and scout the aisles for brands that would be a great fit.
• Got a pet product? Swing by a pet store and see what catches your eye.
• In tech? Browse the websites of electronics stores or visit a local gadget shop.
• Running a beauty brand? Check out local salons or beauty boutiques.
• Fashion brand? Head to department stores or curated fashion markets.

Getting out there can give you new perspectives and ideas. Plus, it’s a great excuse to buy a product and try it out — you can mention that when you reach out. It’s a fantastic icebreaker!

Crafting the Perfect Pitch to Potential Partners

So, you’ve found a few brands that seem like a perfect fit. Great! 

Now comes the fun (and crucial) part — convincing them that teaming up on a collaborative giveaway is a win-win for both of you. The trick is to make your pitch personal, compelling, and so easy to say “Yes!” so that they’ll be hitting reply before they’ve even finished reading.

Here’s how to make your pitch irresistible:

• Make It Personal: Avoid generic emails. Mention something specific about their brand to show you’ve done your homework. Consider adding a short video message to stand out.
• Highlight the Benefits: Focus on what’s in it for them. Emphasise growing both brands’ audiences, increasing awareness, and boosting sales—without extra costs.
• Do the Heavy Lifting: Reassure them you’ll handle everything, from promotional materials to logistics. All they need to do is share with their audience.
• Keep It Short and Exciting: Spark their interest with a brief, clear message. Save the details for later if they’re interested.

Pro Tip – Don’t be Afraid to Follow Up

Don’t panic if you don’t hear back immediately. Everyone’s busy, and your email could have just gotten lost in the shuffle. Send a friendly nudge after a week.

And if email doesn’t get a response, try another channel like social media or even a quick call. Sometimes a different approach is all it takes to get noticed and show them you’re serious.

Collaborative Giveaways: Create a Winning Proposal

So, your potential partner is interested. Now what? It’s time to lock it in with a proposal that’s so clear and compelling, it’ll make them think, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”

Here’s how to craft a pitch-perfect proposal:

1. High-Level Summary: Provide a brief overview. Outline the goal (growing email lists), the strategy (promoting through both brands), and a simple five-step plan for running the giveaway.
2. Propose the Giveaway Prize: Suggest each brand contributes something of equal value. Aim for a combined prize of at least $200 to drive interest.
3. Draft Campaign Schedule: Offer a clear timeline with all tasks and deadlines. Show that everything is planned to avoid last-minute stress.
4. List of Tasks and Responsibilities: Break down tasks, highlighting that you’ll handle most of the work. Your partner’s role? Sharing on social and approving creatives.
5. Include FAQs: Address common questions upfront—like prize shipping, entry requirements, or how email lists will be shared. This helps eliminate back-and-forth later.

Perfectly Executing Collaborative Giveaways 

You’ve got the green light. Now it’s showtime! Here’s how to make sure everything runs like a well-oiled machine — no hiccups, no stress.

• Take the Lead: Own the process. Handle logistics, draft emails, and send regular updates to keep your partner excited and informed.
• Communicate Frequently: Keep communication open. Share progress and check in often to maintain momentum and address any concerns early.
• Deliver on Time: Meet deadlines and help your partner stay on track if needed. A little support goes a long way.
• Build a Long-Term Relationship: Make this collaboration so seamless they’ll want to work with you again. It’s all about laying the foundation for future partnerships.

Creating the Giveaway Email

Your giveaway emails should grab attention. Here’s how:

• Giveaway Creatives: Keep designs simple but eye-catching. A clean image showing the prize, with both brands’ logos, works well. Use the same image throughout, adding “Last Chance” or “Winner Announced” for follow-ups.
• Giveaway Copy: Make it punchy. Highlight the prize, the collaboration, and how easy it is to enter. 

Creating the Sign-Up Form

Keep it short and simple—just ask for the first name and email. Use a unique form for each giveaway to track results.

Creating the Landing Page

Design a clean, mobile-friendly landing page. The headline should grab attention, with the sign-up form easy to find. Include a brief summary of terms with a link to full details.

Drawing the Winner

Here’s how to ensure a fair draw:

1. Export the List: Pull the entries from your email platform.
2. Organise in a Spreadsheet: Label entries by name and email.
3. Use a Random Number Generator: Choose a winner at random using an online random number generator.
4. Record the Process: Screen-record the draw for transparency.
5. Verify and Announce: Match the random number to the entry and confirm with your partner before contacting the winner.

Confirming & Contacting the Winner

Before you go shouting from the rooftops, take a moment to double-check everything with your giveaway partner. It’s all about making sure everyone’s on the same page and that the winner announcement goes off without a hitch.

After the draw, save the recording and the final spreadsheet in a shared Google Drive folder. Send it to your partner and ask if they’re happy with the draw and ready for you to contact the winner. A quick thumbs-up from them, and you’re good to go!

Once everything’s confirmed, reach out to the winner personally. Share the good news and let them know how to claim their prize. If you need to ship something, ask for their preferred delivery address. If it’s a discount code or digital voucher, give them clear instructions on how to use it.

Make it a moment they’ll remember!

Announcing the Winner

Picking a winner isn’t the end of your campaign — it’s actually one of the most impactful moments! 

Announcing the winner is your chance to celebrate, build excitement, and even drive some extra sales. 

Here’s how to make your “Winner Announcement” email shine:

1. Congratulate the Winner

Start with a big, celebratory shout-out to your winner! Make it personal and sincere. Use their first name (if your terms & conditions allow it) and mention how you’ve contacted them (like via email).

2. Mention the Prize & Partner. 

Remind everyone what the winner snagged and give a nod to your giveaway partner. This is a great chance to reinforce that collaborative vibe and show some gratitude.

3. Thank All Participants with a Gift

Now’s your chance to turn participants into customers. Thank everyone who took part by offering a little something for their next order, like a limited-time discount code.

Assuming your partner is on board you can mention that the discount code will work on their website too.

Pro Tip: Emphasise that the discount code is only valid for a limited time, and include a countdown timer to create a sense of urgency. If you use Klaviyo, we recommend MailTimers.

4. Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Make it super easy for them to use that discount code. Add a clear and compelling CTA button that directs them straight to your store:

Make this button prominent and lead it directly to your shopping page where the discount can be applied. No hunting around!

5. Invite Them to Stay Connected

Encourage everyone to stay in the loop with your brand. Suggest they follow you on social media or sign up for future promotions:

6. Send a Last Chance Email 

A few days before the coupon expires, send out a “Last Chance” email to anyone who hasn’t used the code yet. It’s a friendly nudge that they don’t want to miss out!

How to Maximise Results of Collaborative Giveaways

You’ve pulled off a successful giveaway — awesome! Now it’s time to make sure all those new subscribers turn into loyal customers. 

Here’s how to maximise your results for long-term benefits:

Email Automations / Flows

Want to turn those entries into orders? You need to have your key ecommerce email automations set up. These automated flows keep working for you long after the giveaway is over, helping you stay top-of-mind and driving sales.

Focus on these essential flows:

• Welcome Series: A friendly introduction to your brand and products for new subscribers. Show them what you’re all about and highlight your bestsellers.
• Abandoned Cart Flow: Got folks who didn’t finish checking out? Give them a nudge with a reminder email or two — you’d be surprised how often this works!
• Sunset Flow: This one’s for cleaning house. It helps you remove unengaged subscribers, keeping your list healthy and your email deliverability high.

Unique Segments for each Giveaway

Create a unique segment for each collaborative giveaway. This lets you track which partnerships brought in the most engaged subscribers and generated the best sales. By analysing their behaviour and purchasing patterns, you can see what worked and what didn’t.

This way, you’ll know exactly which collaborations to focus on in the future — and which ones to skip!

How to Avoid Potential Issues

Collaborative giveaways are a great way to grow your email list and boost brand visibility, but they’re not without their challenges. Sometimes, dealing with unresponsive or uncooperative partners can throw a wrench in the works. 

But don’t worry! With a little planning and proactive communication, you can keep things running smoothly.

• Establish Clear Communication: Set expectations early and keep the conversation going. End emails with a question to encourage responses and spot issues before they grow.
• Take the Lead: Handle most of the work yourself—logistics, promotion, admin. Make it easy for your partner to fulfil their smaller tasks.
• Exchange Contact Info Early: Get a direct phone number. If communication stalls, a quick call can prevent delays or misunderstandings.
• Create a Written Agreement: Draft a simple agreement outlining roles, timelines, and commitments. It doesn’t have to be formal, but it helps keep everyone on the same page and avoids disputes.

Legal Considerations for Collaborative Giveaways

Before you hit that “launch” button on your giveaway, it’s super important to get familiar with the local laws and regulations in your area. 

Giveaway rules can be tricky — they vary a lot from country to country, and even state to state. So, do your homework!

This might mean making sure no purchase is necessary to enter, getting the right permits, or sticking to specific advertising guidelines. And remember, some places have restrictions on the types of prizes you can offer or their value. A quick chat with a legal advisor can save you from any headaches later on.

And don’t forget the fine print! 

Having clear and comprehensive terms and conditions is a must. These should spell out who can enter, what the prize is, how and when winners will be chosen, and any other rules participants need to know. 

Being transparent not only keeps you compliant but also helps build trust with your audience.

Collaborative Giveaways: Growing Your Email List Fast

Collaborative giveaways are a powerful way for ecommerce brands to supercharge their email lists, boost brand visibility, and connect with new audiences. By teaming up with complementary brands, you can tap into each other’s reach and achieve growth that would be tough to nail on your own.

This guide has walked you through everything — from finding the perfect partners and crafting that killer pitch, to running a seamless campaign and measuring its success. You’ve got all the tools you need to get started!

So, what are you waiting for? Start reaching out to potential partners today and plan your first collaborative giveaway. With some careful planning and a bit of teamwork, you’ll see your email list grow and your brand visibility soar in no time.

Ready to Try Collaborative Giveaways?

If you’re excited to put this strategy into action but want a little more help along the way, we’ve got just the thing for you! Our Collaborative Giveaway Guide is a comprehensive roadmap that will take you from zero to giveaway hero.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to execute a flawless campaign:

• Outreach Templates: Reach out to potential partners with confidence.
• Proposal Templates: Craft compelling proposals that make it easy for brands to say “yes!”
• Detailed Schedules: Stay on track with timelines and task lists.
• Email Copy: Get pre-written emails for every stage of your giveaway.
• Giveaway Terms and Conditions: Keep it legal and transparent with ready-to-use terms.

Whether it’s your first giveaway or your fifteenth, this guide will make it effortless to plan and execute successful collaborations whenever you like!

???? Sign Up Now to get your hands on the ultimate Collaborative Giveaway Guide and start growing your email list today!