If you’ve ever tried to grow your creative business, you’ve probably considered running a giveaway. They’re fun, they’re flashy, and on the surface, they seem like an easy way to get more eyes on your work.
But here’s the truth I wish someone had told me years ago: a giveaway can either help you build a loyal audience… or it can attract a crowd of people who only show up when something is free. The difference comes down to strategy.
And because I’m all about helping artists get paid and shine, let’s talk about how to use giveaways the right way—plus one thing that often gets overlooked: where you create your giveaway items.
When I Started KWFamous… I Got Creative With My Budget
Back in the early days of KWFamous, I didn’t have the budget to print 500 shirts or 5,000 stickers. (Honestly, I barely had enough to print one.) So I relied on small-batch and third-party sites like Sticker Mule to beta test products.
And yes, they weren’t local.
And yes, people had opinions about that.
But here’s the reality: I was building something from scratch. And sometimes, being responsible with your money means using whatever allows you to test ideas without taking on financial risk. When you’re an artist or a creator, that’s not being disloyal—it’s being smart.
The goal was always to build enough momentum to bring production back to local makers in the long run—which we did.
The Good: What Giveaways Can Do for You
When they’re done well, giveaways can:
✨ Build buzz around your work
A well-timed giveaway gets people talking, sharing, and tagging their friends.
✨ Test new product ideas without committing to full production
If only three people enter to win your “new holographic raccoon sticker,” maybe don’t order 1,000 of them.
✨ Reward your existing audience
Giveaways are a lovely way to say “thank you” to the people who show up for you.
✨ Grow your audience with people who actually care
But only if you structure it that way. (More on that in a second.)
The Bad: The Dark Side of Giveaways
If not done strategically, giveaways can attract:
🚫 Freebie-hunters
These are the people who crawl Instagram and TikTok looking for anything free. They’ll smash the like button, enter, and then never interact with your work again.
🚫 Empty metrics
You’ll see a spike in followers… that disappears the moment the giveaway ends.
🚫 Money leaks
Giveaways cost time, product, and shipping. If they’re not designed thoughtfully, you just end up burning resources you don’t have.
What Not To Do
If you want your giveaway to grow your customer base—not just your “free stuff” fan club—avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Don’t give away something too random
The prize should be something your ideal customer would love. Not something anyone would love.
Giving away an iPad? Sure, it’ll get you 5,000 entries.
But not one of those 5,000 people will buy your art.
❌ Don’t over-complicate the rules
If people need a law degree to enter, they won’t.
❌ Don’t run giveaways too often
Once you become “the artist that’s always giving stuff away,” people learn to wait for freebies instead of buying.
So… What Should You Do?
Here’s how to run a giveaway that actually supports your brand:
✔ Pick a product that represents your art
Stickers, prints, tote bags—something that shows off your style and is easy to ship.
✔ Make the entry actions meaningful
Instead of “tag 52 friends,” try:
- Follow & like
- Comment something thoughtful (e.g., favourite local artist, fave colourway, etc.)
- Share to stories if they genuinely want to
These actions build community, not resentment.
✔ Use giveaways as product tests
Just like I did with Sticker Mule. Small-run items help you figure out what customers care about before ordering big stock locally.
✔ Tell the story behind your choices
If you're using non-local production for testing, say that.
People may grumble, but transparency builds trust.
Something like:
“I use small-batch online printers so I can test new ideas without wasting materials—then once a design proves itself, I bring the full production to local makers.”
Boom. Explained.
And Yes: It’s Okay to Use Non-Local Services Sometimes
Artists are under pressure to be ethical, sustainable, hyper-local, and financially responsible all at once. It’s impossible.
Your job is to survive long enough to thrive.
If using third-party sites in the early stages helps you avoid debt or test ideas quickly, that is not a betrayal of your community. It’s part of the growth process.
Give yourself permission to be scrappy.
Give yourself permission to build smart, not perfect.
And know that choosing a non-local option when it makes strategic sense does not make you any less committed to your community—it makes you a more resilient creator.
If You’re an Artist Reading This…
You don’t need a huge budget.
You don’t need all your ducks perfectly lined up.
You just need a strategy and the courage to try things.
And if you use giveaways the right way, they can absolutely help you grow—not with people who want free stuff, but with people who want you.
Want to run your own giveaways? Check out Stickermule Giveaways