How to Run a Joint Giveaway with Another Business

You want to grow your audience. You don’t want to spend a fortune. Enter: the joint giveaway. Partnering with another small business can double your exposure, reach new people, and build valuable connections - all without paying for ads.

Here’s how to pull it off.

1. Pick the Right Partner

Choose a business that shares your vibe but isn’t a competitor. A yoga studio and a smoothie bar? Perfect. A bookstore and a local candle maker? Great combo. You want your audiences to overlap so both businesses gain relevant followers.

Ask:

• Do they share your target audience?

• Are their customers likely to be interested in your product?

• Do they have a decent social presence?

Start with someone you already have a relationship with if possible. Trust makes the process smoother.

2. Set Clear Goals

Know what you want from this. More followers? More newsletter signups? Better brand awareness?

Then decide how you'll measure success. Don’t wing it. Agree on the same goals with your partner so everyone’s on the same page.

3. Choose a Prize People Actually Want

The prize should be relevant, useful, and exciting to both audiences. You could each throw in a product or service to create a prize bundle.

Make sure the total value is clear (and appealing). “Win $100 in local treats from two small businesses!” sounds better than just listing items.

4. Create a Simple Entry Process

The easier it is to enter, the more entries you’ll get. Avoid making people jump through too many hoops.

Popular options:

• Like and comment on the giveaway post

• Follow both businesses

• Tag a friend (bonus: expands reach)

For email list building, use a simple form via Google Forms or a free landing page tool like Mail Lite or Mailchimp.

5. Promote Like You Mean It

Both businesses should post about the giveaway across all their channels - Instagram, Facebook, email newsletters, maybe even in-store signage if you’ve got a physical location.

Use high-quality images, clear instructions, and a sense of urgency (“Ends Friday at midnight!”) Cross-tag each other to share audiences.

6. Engage Along the Way

Don’t just launch and ghost. Respond to comments, share entries or tagged posts in Stories, and keep the excitement going. Remind people halfway through and on the last day.

7. Pick and Announce the Winner Publicly

Use a tool like Comment Picker or a random name generator. Make the announcement feel celebratory - tag the winner, thank everyone for entering, and invite them to stick around for future updates or perks.

8. Follow Up (This Part Matters)

After the giveaway, follow up with non-winners. Offer a small thank-you - like a free downloadable guide, a “sorry-you-didn’t-win” offer, or just a sincere thanks for participating.

If you collected emails, make sure to send them something useful right away so they don’t forget who you are.

Wrap Up

Joint giveaways don’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the right partner and a clear plan, they’re a fantastic way to grow your brand, meet new customers, and maybe even make a few small biz friends along the way.