If you are a live streamer on Twitch, then running a giveaway can be a great way to engage with your audience and attract new viewers. So, if you don’t know how to do giveaways on Twitch, this blog is your best companion!
Most streamers run a giveaway on Twitch using giveaway bots. But others who have their own WordPress website run giveaways using plugins. Don’t worry. I will explain both methods, including 13 pro tips for running successful Twitch giveaways.
What Is Twitch?
Let me tell you a few lines on Twitch first. Twitch is a live streaming platform and community where people can broadcast their video games, creative content, and real-life events to a global audience. It was launched in 2011 and has become one of the most popular platforms for gamers and streamers.
Why Run Giveaways on Twitch?
Giveaways are always exciting, and running them on Twitch can bring a lot of benefits for streamers. Here are some reasons why you should consider doing giveaways on Twitch:
- Engage with your audience: Giveaways are a great way to interact and engage with your viewers, making them feel appreciated and valued. They will participate to win the giveaway.
- Attract new viewers: Promoting your giveaway on Twitch and social media can attract new viewers to your channel and potentially increase your following.
- Increase viewership: Giveaways can also help boost your viewership during the stream and potentially retain those new viewers in the future.
- Generate more followers: With a successful giveaway, you can gain more followers who are interested in future streams and content.
- Build brand awareness: Running giveaways on Twitch can also help your brand gain more exposure and recognition within the gaming community.
13 Pro Tips on How to Do Giveaways on Twitch
Giveaways can be a fun and effective way to engage with your audience on Twitch, but there are some important tips to keep in mind for a successful giveaway. Here are 13 pro tips on how to do giveaways on Twitch:
#1. Go Through the Twitch Community Guidelines: Do Your Homework First
Before you even jot down plans for a giveaway, you need to be fully aware of Twitch’s community guidelines. Trust me, the last thing you want is to get flagged or banned because you overlooked some rule. Ensure your giveaway adheres to Twitch’s promotions, gifting, and community interaction policies. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
#2. Make Clear Objectives: Know What You’re Aiming For
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, establish what you want to achieve with this giveaway. Is it to increase channel subscribers, boost viewer engagement, or perhaps promote a new game you’re streaming? Having clear objectives will guide you in making crucial decisions, from prize selection to promotional tactics.
For example, if your goal is to boost engagement, then you might want to consider running a challenge or competition rather than a random prize draw.
#3. Know Your Audience: The First Step in a Successful Giveaway
Before you even think about prizes or schedules, get to know your audience. Check out their interests, gaming habits, and streaming preferences. Why? Because the more aligned your giveaway is with your audience, the more engaging it will be. For example, giving away RPG-themed merchandise could get more buzz if your community loves RPG games.
#4. Choose the Right Prize: It’s Not Just About the Price Tag
Ah, the prize. The heartbeat of any giveaway. Don’t just go for expensive gadgets; pick something that holds real value for your audience. For instance, if your community is all about a certain game, limited-edition merch from that game would be a home run.
#5. Timing is Everything: Pick the Perfect Moment
It’s not just about what you give away, but when. Choose a time when your audience is most active. Perhaps during a major game launch or right after a big update. That way, your giveaway gets the maximum visibility. Remember, if a tree falls in an empty forest, does it make a sound?
For example, now that October is a Halloween month, then you can give away some Christmas-themed items in December. After Christmas, New Year’s Eve is another best time to run some giveaways.
#6. Set Clear Rules: Transparency is Key
Make sure to clearly outline the rules of your giveaway. How to enter, how winners will be picked, and eligibility criteria need to be crystal clear. For example, if you’re only giving away to a specific region, ensure that’s mentioned in the rules. Transparency builds trust and credibility with your audience.
#7. Leverage Social Media: Boost Your Outreach
Don’t just restrict the giveaway to Twitch. Spread the word on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. You know the drill—more eyeballs, more engagement. Use hashtags related to your giveaway to make it easily discoverable.
#8. Interactive Elements: Keep the Excitement Alive
Keep your viewers on their toes! Use interactive elements like polls or chat games to keep the audience engaged while the giveaway is running. For instance, a quick poll asking what kind of prizes they’d like in future giveaways can add a nice touch.
#9. Collaborate with Brands: A Win-Win Situation
Why go it alone when you can partner with brands? It boosts the giveaway’s credibility and gives you access to a wider range of prizes. Make sure the brand aligns with your audience’s interests, though. You wouldn’t give away baby products on a hardcore gaming stream, would you?
#10. Track and Measure: Numbers Don’t Lie
After your giveaway wraps up, dive into the analytics. Look at viewer numbers, engagement rates, and so on. This data is pure gold, helping you understand what worked and what didn’t. Plus, it can be a great selling point for future partnerships.
#11. Follow-Up: Don’t Ghost Your Audience
Once the giveaway is over, keep the conversation going. Announce the winners publicly and make sure to thank everyone for participating. Even a simple “Thanks for joining, folks!” can go a long way in making your viewers feel appreciated.
#12. Make it a Regular Affair: Consistency is Your Friend
Once you’ve got a taste of that sweet, sweet engagement, don’t stop. Make giveaways a regular part of your streaming calendar. Your audience will come to expect it, leading to more consistent viewership numbers.
#13. Learn and Adapt: Each Giveaway is a Lesson
Nobody gets it perfect the first time. Take notes, learn from your mistakes, and refine your strategy for the next giveaway. For example, if you noticed a drop in engagement halfway through the giveaway, think about ways to maintain interest throughout the event.
Time to Run Your Giveaway!
As I mentioned above, there are two ways where you can host your giveaways. You may choose either a giveaway bot or WordPress plugins. Now I will describe both, and you can choose what is best for you.
How to Do Giveaways on Twitch Using Bots?
Using a giveaway bot is one of the simplest and most popular ways to host giveaways on Twitch. These bots help manage entries, pick random winners, and publicly announce winners. Some popular options include Nightbot, StreamElements, Moo Bot, and Muxy.
Each bot has separate methods of hosting giveaways, so make sure to check their documentation for set-up instructions. However, the basic steps are as follows:
- Enable Giveaway Feature: Enable the giveaway feature in your chosen bot’s dashboard.
- Set Up Prize and Duration: Choose your prize and how long you want the giveaway to run for.
- Create Entry Method: Decide how your audience can enter the giveaway (e.g., through a command, following your channel, etc.).
- Start Giveaway: Once everything is set up, start the giveaway and let your viewers know how they can participate.
- Pick and Announce Winner: After the giveaway duration ends, use the bot’s feature to pick a random winner and announce it in your chat.
- Follow-Up: Don’t forget to follow up with the winner and publicly announce who won. Make sure to also thank everyone for participating.
For a detailed understanding, check out the below video content on How to do a giveaway on Twitch with Nightbot.
How to Do Giveaways on Twitch Using WordPress Plugins?
If you have a website or blog using WordPress, you can also use plugins to host giveaways on Twitch. Some popular options include RafflePress, KingSumo, and Social Offers. These plugins allow you to create a landing page for your giveaway, collect entries, and randomly pick winners.
Here’s how to set up a giveaway using WordPress plugins:
- Install Plugin: Choose a plugin of your choice and install it on your WordPress site.
- Set Up Giveaway Page: Create a separate landing page or post on your website for the giveaway and use the plugin to set it up.
- Configure Entry Method: Decide how an audience can enter (e.g., through a form, following your channel, etc.) and configure it in the plugin settings.
- Set Up Duration: Choose how long you want the giveaway to run for and when winners will be announced.
- Publish the Giveaway: Once everything is set up, publish the giveaway page and let your audience know about it.
- Promote Your Giveaway: Share the link of your giveaway page on Twitch and other social media platforms to get more entries.
- Choose Winner: After the giveaway duration ends, use the plugin to randomly pick a winner and announce it on your website.
- Follow-Up: Just like with using bots, don’t forget to follow up with the winner and publicly announce who won. Thank everyone for participating as well.
RafflePress is one of the well known plugin for running your giveaways. For detail check out the below video content.
How to Promote Giveaways on Twitch?
Since Twitch is a streaming platform, you can promote your giveaway to your live audience. Here are some ideas on how you can promote your giveaway on Twitch:
- Use a countdown timer overlay during your stream to remind viewers about the giveaway.
- Create a panel on your channel with information about the giveaway and a link to enter.
- Announce the giveaway at the beginning and end of your streams to reach more viewers.
- Collaborate with other streamers and cross-promote each other’s giveaways.
- Use hashtags related to the giveaway on social media platforms to attract new viewers.
- Host a chat game or mini giveaway during your stream, encouraging viewers to also enter the main giveaway.
- Mention and remind your audience about the giveaway in between gameplay or during breaks.
- Offer bonus entries for viewers who share your stream or post about the giveaway on their social media.
- Create a giveaway trailer or teaser to promote on your social media platforms and during your streams.
- Use Twitch’s channel points as an entry method for the giveaway, encouraging viewers to watch and engage with your streams more.
9 Most Unique Twitch Giveaway Ideas
Here are some unique ideas to make your giveaway stand out and engage viewers.
#1. Customized Merchandise Giveaways
Offering customized merchandise as a giveaway prize can boost viewer engagement in a big way. You can design these items—such as t-shirts, mugs, or keychains—featuring your channel’s logo or some popular catchphrase from your streams. This provides a tangible reward for your viewers and helps promote your channel, as the merchandise carries your branding.
#2. Exclusive Game Codes Giveaways
Giving away exclusive game codes can be a huge draw if you’re a gaming streamer. Viewers love the opportunity to gain access to new games or special features in existing games. This type of giveaway holds high value for your audience and can significantly increase engagement and viewership numbers. Make sure to partner with game developers for genuine game codes.
#3. Collaborative Giveaways with Other Streamers
Collaborating with other streamers for a joint giveaway can help you tap into each other’s audiences. This way, both you and your collaborator can benefit from increased visibility and higher engagement. The prizes can range from shoutouts on each other’s channels to shared products or services.
#4. Viewer’s Choice Content Giveaway
This is a unique idea where you give your viewers the power to dictate a future stream’s content. The winner could decide what game you play next or suggest a theme for your upcoming stream. This way, you can ensure that your viewers feel valued and involved in your channel, which can build a strong sense of community.
#5. Special Guest Appearance Giveaway
Invite a widely known personality or a popular Twitch streamer for a special appearance on your stream and offer a chance for a lucky viewer to interact with them. This can dramatically boost your stream’s visibility and serve as a big draw for viewers. The special guest could be anyone from the gaming industry or someone who aligns with your stream’s content.
#6. Artwork or Creative Works Giveaway
If you’re artistically inclined, you could give away a piece of your own artwork or offer to create a custom piece for the winner. This not only provides a unique and personal prize but also allows you to showcase your talents beyond streaming. Whether it’s digital art, traditional painting, or music composition, this kind of giveaway can resonate with your audience on a personal level.
#7. Charity Stream Giveaway
For this giveaway, you could run a charity stream and offer viewers who donate a chance to win a prize. This not only helps a good cause, but it also fosters a sense of community and goodwill among your audience. You’ll be surprised how much viewers might be willing to engage when they know their contributions are going toward a good cause.
#8. VIP Viewer Experience Giveaway
Offer a VIP viewer experience to a lucky winner. This could include special privileges like deciding game strategies, having a character named after them, or enjoying a one-on-one gaming session with you. This makes your viewers feel special and appreciated, which can boost loyalty and engagement.
#9. Giveaway for User-Generated Content
Encourage your viewers to create content related to your channel – it could be fan art, memes, or even highlight reels. The best piece of user-generated content wins the giveaway. This encourages your viewers’ creativity and provides valuable content that can be shared across your social media platforms.
FAQs on Twitch Giveaways
Is it legal to do giveaways on Twitch?
Yes, it is legal to do giveaways on Twitch as long as you comply with the platform’s terms of service and any local laws. In that case, running a Subscribers-Only giveaway is not allowed in the US, including some other countries.
Can I charge for entry to a giveaway on Twitch?
No, you cannot charge for entry to a giveaway on Twitch. The platform prohibits contests that require payment to enter or win. You must offer free entry options for all viewers.
Are sub-only giveaways allowed on Twitch?
No, sub-only giveaways are not allowed on Twitch. It will be illegal if you run a giveaway with the entry condition of “Subscribe to the channel first.” The federal laws of the US and some other countries prohibit giving “valuable consideration” in exchange for a chance to win.
Should I do a giveaway on Twitch?
Yes, doing a giveaway on Twitch can be an effective way to boost viewer engagement, attract new viewers, and promote your channel. However, plan and execute the giveaway carefully to ensure compliance with Twitch’s rules and local laws. It’s also crucial to offer relevant and appealing prizes to your target audience.
Conclusion
Hosting giveaways on Twitch can be a great way to engage with your audience, attract new viewers, and grow your streaming community. By offering unique and creative prizes, collaborating with other streamers, and following Twitch’s guidelines, you can ensure a successful and exciting giveaway experience for both you and your viewers.
So add some sparkle to your streams with these ideas for giveaways! No matter what type of giveaway you choose, always remember to have fun and thank your viewers for their support.
