6 posts tagged with "small business"

As the heat of summer sets in, small businesses have a perfect opportunity to interact with their audience through interesting summer giveaway ideas. Creating a buzz and leaving a lasting impression can be accomplished by having customers participate in seasonal promotions and increasing the business's visibility. This article will discuss the best summer giveaway ideas for businesses. 

Top Summer Giveaway Ideas for Small Businesses​

Custom Beach Towels​

Custom beach towels are a popular choice for summer giveaways. They provide excellent branding opportunities during beach trips and vacations. These towels also offer high visibility for your logo, making them effective promotional products. 

Branded Water Bottles​

Branded water bottles are practical and appreciated by customers, especially during the hot summer.  They promote hydration and offer long-lasting brand exposure as customers use them repeatedly. Including your logo on water bottles can enhance brand recall and visibility.

Sunscreen with Your Brand​

Offering sunscreen with your brand's logo helps protect your customers' skin while promoting your brand. These eco-friendly promotional items show your commitment to health-conscious branding and environmental sustainability.  They are perfect for summer giveaways at outdoor events and beach activities.

Sunglasses with Logo​

Sunglasses with your logo are stylish and helpful, making them ideal for various outdoor events. They are a popular giveaway item that offers high visibility for your brand.  Customers appreciate the practicality of sunglasses, which also serve as a fashionable accessory.

Portable Fans​

Portable fans are convenient for summer events and travel. They are practical giveaways that customers will appreciate, especially during hot days.  Branding these fans with your logo ensures that your brand is associated with comfort and convenience.

Flip-Flops​

Customized flip-flops are fun and light-hearted, perfect for casual summer wear. They are used frequently, providing everyday use and brand promotion.  Flip-flops with your logo can enhance brand visibility in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Picnic Sets​

Branded picnic sets encourage outdoor dining and community engagement. They are comprehensive and memorable gifts, including blankets, plates, and utensils.  These sets promote your brand while supporting outdoor activities and gatherings.

Eco-Friendly Tote Bags​

Eco-friendly tote bags promote sustainability and are convenient for carrying summer essentials. They appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and highlight your commitment to eco-friendly practices.  These reusable bags are perfect for summer shopping and outings.

Ice Cream Vouchers​

Partnering with local shops to offer ice cream vouchers provides a sweet treat for your customers. This giveaway creates positive brand associations and encourages customer interaction.  Ice cream vouchers are an enjoyable way to engage with your audience during the summer.

Outdoor Games​

Branded frisbees or beach balls encourage outdoor activities and audience interaction. These fun and engaging outdoor games make them perfect for summer events.  They help promote your brand while encouraging active participation.

Seed Packets​

Seed packets are a unique and sustainable giveaway encouraging gardening and brand growth. These items are appreciated by customers who enjoy gardening and environmental sustainability.  Seed packets with your logo help grow your brand's presence meaningfully.

Festival Tickets​

Offering festival tickets as prizes generates excitement and buzz around your brand. Engaging with local events and communities through festival tickets helps increase your brand's visibility and appeal.  These tickets are an exciting and valuable giveaway that attracts attention.

How Raffle Leader Can Help​

Raffle Leader provides essential tools and services to streamline and optimize the management of business giveaways. Their platform ensures efficient handling of entries, fair winner selection, and enhanced customer engagement.

• Streamlining the Giveaway Process: Raffle Leader offers tools to simplify the management of giveaways and ensures efficient handling of entries. Customizable options allow businesses to tailor the giveaway to their specific needs.
• Managing Entries and Ensuring Fair Selections: Raffle Leader's system accurately tracks and manages all entries and uses algorithms to ensure fair and random winner selections. This transparency builds trust with participants and enhances the credibility of the promotion.
• Enhancing Engagement through Customized Raffle Experiences: Raffle Leader provides features to create engaging and interactive raffle experiences. Businesses can incorporate personalized messages and branded content into their giveaways to enhance customer interaction.
• Providing Insights and Analytics to Measure Giveaway Success: The platform offers detailed analytics to measure the performance of giveaways. Businesses can track participation rates, customer engagement, and return on investment.
• Addressing Pain Points such as Entry Management and Participant Follow-Up: Raffle Leader automates the entry management process, reducing manual errors and saving time. The platform also facilitates easy follow-up with participants through automated notifications and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions​

What are the benefits of summer giveaways for businesses?​

Summer giveaways help increase brand visibility and excitement around your business. By offering unique and enjoyable products, companies can create memorable experiences that foster strong customer relationships and loyalty.

Why should businesses consider eco-friendly giveaways?​

Eco-friendly giveaways show a company's commitment to sustainability, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Using sustainable products can enhance a brand's image, resonating with a broad demographic interested in environmental issues.

What are some innovative summer giveaway ideas discussed in the article?​

The article suggests several innovative giveaway ideas such as custom beach towels, branded water bottles, and portable fans. These items are practical and enhance brand exposure in daily life settings, particularly during the summer.

How can partnering with an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) benefit a business during summer promotions?​

Partnering with an ODM provides businesses with customized, high-quality products at a faster pace and potentially lower costs. An ODM's expertise in design and market trends ensures products are appealing and timely, with strict quality controls enhancing customer satisfaction and brand trust.

What impact can personalized items have on brand recognition?​

Personalizing giveaway items creates a direct connection between the brand and the consumer, making the promotional product more meaningful and memorable. This personal touch can significantly boost brand recognition and loyalty, often leading to repeat customers and referrals.

Refer-a-friend campaigns are among the most effective marketing strategies for attracting new customers and building trust. However, not all referral promotions are successful. If you're considering one for your business, choosing the right reward based on your business type and customers' preferences is crucial.  In this article, we've compiled a list of ten excellent refer-a-friend promotion ideas to boost engagement and grow your business. But before we begin… 

What is a Refer-A-Friend Program?​

A refer-a-friend promotion is a reward system that encourages current customers to recommend your brand to their friends and family. When a current customer refers a new customer who completes a purchase, the original customer receives a reward in return. These rewards can range from discounts and cash prizes to free products and services.  The success of Dropbox and Uber's referral programs proves that they work when implemented properly. According to a Nielsen study, 84% of consumers trust referrals from friends and family more than other information sources about a brand. Additionally, when friends refer users, they're 4x more likely to make a purchase. Referral programs are a great way to acquire new customers and encourage loyalty among existing ones. By offering referral rewards to current customers, you encourage their continued support while attracting new customers to your business, resulting in long-term growth.

How Do You Build a Great Referral Promotion?​

For your refer-a-friend campaign to succeed, you need a quality product or service and a satisfied customer base. Follow these best practices to build and sustain an effective campaign:

• Set clear goals. Identify what you want out of this campaign. More customers? Higher sales? Defining success helps measure impact later.
• Choose incentives wisely. Offering rewards that excite people is crucial. Discounts, freebies, or exclusive perks are great motivators.
• Simplify the referral process. Keep it simple, as no one likes filling out endless forms. Make sharing on social media or email easy with one-click options or offer direct links.
• Promote everywhere. Promote your campaign on your website and email newsletters. Use relevant hashtags and encourage past referrers to share their positive experiences on social media.
• Use referral tracking software. Make the most of referral program software to help you manage your campaigns and track your referrals.

10 Best Refer-A-Friend Promotion Ideas​

1. Store or Subscription Credits​

One popular refer-a-friend promotion idea is to reward customers with store or subscription credits with each successful referral. This type of campaign works by giving the referrer and their friend credits they can spend in your store or service. Referral programs based on credits are particularly effective if you offer digital products such as software, courses, or ebooks. Why It Works Store or subscription credits appeal to customers who want to save money and motivate them to support your business. This reward option also comes at a small cost, as the credit is applied towards a portion of the total purchase.

2. Donations to Charity​

Select a charity that resonates with your business and target market, and commit to donating for every referral. Alternatively, give your customers a list of charities and let them choose where the donation goes.  For instance, Vena, a budgeting software company, contributes to charities chosen by their clients whenever those clients successfully refer a friend. Why It Works As customers prioritize making a difference in the world and their local communities, they're eager to support businesses that share their values. Participating in your refer-a-friend program requires little effort from customers. Adding a social or charitable incentive could be the push both your customers and their referrals need to share their experiences.

3. Tiered Referral Rewards​

In tiered refer-a-friend programs, rewards get better with each successful referral, so the most active customers in the referral program get the biggest perks. Harry’s, a razor company, used this tactic during the launch of its e-commerce website. Its tiered rewards system offered everything from complimentary shaving cream to a full year's supply of free blades. The response was fantastic—they amassed 100,000 emails in just one week! You can also have a tiered reward system with discounts. For instance, your refer-a-friend program could start with a 20% discount for the first five referrals a customer makes and then increase to 40% for each subsequent referral. Why It Works The chance to earn better rewards for more referrals is highly attractive and can turn customers into super fans. Also, in most tiered systems, customers see a progress bar showing how many referrals they need for the next reward level. It works similarly to a game, making them even more motivated. 

4. Multi-Step Rewards​

In multi-step referral programs, you offer members a small reward when their referral becomes a qualified lead and a larger reward when that referral makes a purchase. For instance, you could provide a $10 gift card when a referred individual books a demo and a $50 gift card when purchasing your product or service. Why It Works This kind of refer-a-friend campaign is great for businesses with longer sales processes, especially when leads typically do extensive research before purchasing. Providing rewards for new leads helps keep members motivated to keep referring, even if it takes some time before their friend decides to buy.

5. Exclusive Membership Programs​

Enhance your refer-a-friend program by providing exclusive perks to customers with the most referrals. Extend invitations to these top referrers for a special club with benefits like exclusive content, premium add-ons, early access to sales, or VIP event invitations. One example of a refer-a-friend campaign featuring an exclusive reward is granting customers access to a restricted website section or members-only content upon successful referrals. Why It Works Exclusive rewards can serve as powerful motivators for generating more referrals and adding excitement for your active customers. It's a win-win scenario: Customers eagerly seize the opportunity to access insider experiences while you build strong customer loyalty. Furthermore, your exclusive membership program can grow alongside your referral marketing program. For instance, you can introduce top-tier rewards within your club and provide even greater incentives for the top 10 or 20 members.

6. Product or Service Upgrades​

Alternatively, you can offer customers an upgraded version of something they already have rather than providing something entirely new. Imagine you're a SaaS business gearing up to launch a refer-a-friend program. Consider rewarding customers for each successful referral with free cloud storage space, similar to Dropbox. Or you can offer them limited-time access to your premium plan. Why It Works Service upgrade incentives require no additional cost to your business yet are highly effective in motivating customers to participate in your refer-a-friend campaign. Moreover, once customers experience the benefits of the upgrade, they're more inclined to continue referring friends or even consider upgrading to your premium service themselves.

7. Repeated Reward Incentives​

After a specified period, try offering referral rewards, such as cashback, discounts, or store credit. For example, if a customer successfully refers ten new individuals in a month, you can reward them with credit or discounts. You can maintain the same monthly reward should they continue referring others to your company. For example, MOO, a design and print company, offers its customers $20 for each qualified referral. Customers can earn up to 500 referrals annually (up to $10,000 in earnings!). This opportunity automatically resets at the beginning of each year. Why It Works Customers often choose the most straightforward referral incentives. By offering them the chance to earn the same benefits with each successful referral or regularly, you can trigger significant growth for your business.

8. Surprise Mystery Rewards​

Offering customers a specific reward is a common referral strategy. However, introducing an unexpected mystery reward can significantly stir up customer excitement. For instance, Robinhood, a mobile investment and trading app, surprises its users with a reward stock whenever they refer a new customer. This element adds a fun and potentially valuable incentive for users to spread the word about the app to their friends. It's best to offer mystery gifts to current customers who refer others rather than to new customers who have been referred to your business. New customers are still familiarizing themselves with your product and service, so introducing a random reward can cause potential confusion. Why It Works Mystery rewards are excellent promotional tools because they keep customers intrigued. Moreover, if the reward proves to be truly surprising, customers are inclined to share their referral experience on social media or through word-of-mouth marketing. Additionally, mystery rewards afford you the flexibility to experiment. You can provide a range of incentives and assess which ones have the best results.

9. Referral As Many You Can Contest​

Another way to encourage customers to join your refer-a-friend program is by hosting a referral contest. Referral contests work by placing a contest widget on your website for individuals to enter. This widget provides various entry options for users and grants them entries for completing small tasks, like sharing the contest on Facebook or subscribing to your email list. One fantastic example is the referral contest organized by clothing retailer Huckberry, which offered the top referrer a $1,000 store credit. Contests like this generally implement strategies to increase participation. Giveaway tools like Raffle Leader can be a huge help when building a refer as many as you can contest. Our drag-and-drop giveaway builder makes it easy to create any online contest, giveaway, or sweepstakes and customize it to your liking. With features such as a viral refer-a-friend sharing program and seamless social media integration, you can craft a viral contest to boost your referral marketing efforts. Why It Works Contests focused on “making the most referrals“ operate similarly to tiered rewards, encouraging participants to earn significant rewards by generating many referrals and turning them into super fans.

10. Gamified Reward Systems​

This refer-a-friend promotion idea is a hybrid, as it uses a combination of different reward structures. Like many addictive games and apps, a gamified referral campaign encourages customers to progress through various levels. More referrals mean more rewards and achievements unlocked. For example, Loot Crate, a gaming subscription box, integrated gamified rewards into its referral program. Customers receive $5 for every referral and get a chance to win a free year of Loot Crate! Why It Works Gamified refer-a-friend campaigns maximize the addictive nature of mobile games to encourage continuous engagement and referrals. With endless possibilities, you can enhance the gaming experience by assigning titles to each level and awarding virtual badges.  Introducing a leaderboard fosters friendly competition, allowing customers to track their referrals over various timeframes. Lastly, integrating mystery gifts, exclusive memberships, and contests increases excitement in your refer-a-friend program.

Final Thoughts​

We hope this article has given you valuable insights into effective refer-a-friend promotion ideas to gain new customers and strengthen loyalty among your existing ones.  If you're searching for the perfect software to help you build and manage your refer-a-friend program then you should really be considering using Raffle Leader, our versatile giveaway tool that gets you leads on autopilot by enabling you to easily build and automate any refer-a-friend program you have in mind.

As a small business, gathering customer feedback is crucial for success. In today's fast-paced world, keeping up with what your customers want and how the market is shifting is more important than ever. That's why choosing the best survey software for your small business isn't just a matter of convenience—it can significantly impact your ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive. This guide covers the top survey platforms tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Some key factors we considered are user-friendly interfaces, robust analytics, and scalability. Let's dive in!

Best Survey Software Comparison Chart​

Here’s a convenient table for comparing all the tools mentioned in this guide. We’ll discuss these tools in detail in the following sections.

Best Survey Software Reviews​

Now, let's explore these tools further. We'll explore their advanced features, pricing options, and more to help you make the best choice for your business.

1. mQuest​

Features

• Custom Survey Links: Create personalized links to share surveys with your audience.
• Data Analysis: Analyze survey responses with powerful data tools.
• Email Integration: Send surveys directly to customers via email platforms.
• Mobile Surveys: Design surveys for mobile devices.
• Offline Data Collection: Gather responses without an internet connection.
• Branching Logic: Customize survey flow based on participant answers.
• Question Library: Access pre-built questions to streamline survey creation.
• Skip Logic: Skip irrelevant questions based on previous responses.

Pricing​

mQuest offers a subscription-based pricing model with plans tailored for small businesses. A free trial is available to explore the platform's features before committing to a paid plan.

User Ratings​

mQuest has a strong overall rating of 4.6/5 from users. Positive reviews highlight its flexibility, design capabilities, and excellent customer support. Users praise its ability to effectively represent complex questions and its suitability for Android and iOS devices.

Support and Scalability​

mQuest is known for its responsive customer support and assistance with survey scripting and implementation. The platform is designed to scale as your business grows, accommodating increasing survey needs and evolving requirements.

2. Screeb​

Features​

• Mobile Survey: Send surveys to mobile devices for easy access.
• Custom Questions: Create questions to gather specific insights.
• Feedback Management: Collect, analyze, and use feedback to improve offerings.
• Question Branching: Guide respondents through relevant questions based on previous answers.
• Customizable Fields: Adapt data fields to suit diverse needs.
• Data Import/Export: Seamlessly import and export data, reports, and files.
• Question Library: Access pre-written questions for efficient survey creation.
• Customizable Templates: Use editable templates aligned with branding.
• Data Analysis Tools: Analyze survey results using statistical testing and crosstabs.
• URL Customization: Personalize survey URLs to match branding or survey titles.
• Activity Dashboard: Monitor processes, track activities, and identify incidents.
• Data Visualization: Present insights through charts and graphs.
• Engagement Tracking: Gain insights into user interactions with interfaces or products.
• Multi-Channel Distribution: Distribute surveys across email, web, and social media.
• NPS Survey Structure: Implement Net Promoter Score (NPS) questions to measure customer loyalty.
• Real-Time Reporting: Generate reports and view results in real time.
• Real-Time Analytics: Analyze data and gain insights as they occur.
• Segmentation: Group leads or contacts based on characteristics.
• Survey/Poll Management: Create and manage polls and surveys efficiently.
• Text Analysis: Extract and classify information from text sources like reviews or emails.
• Surveys & Feedback: Gauge satisfaction and gather feedback for improvement.
• Customer Experience Management: Oversee and analyze customer interactions.
• Reporting/Analytics: Access comprehensive reporting and analytics.
• Survey Builder: Design and manage surveys with an intuitive builder.
• Visual Analytics: Interact with data visualizations to drill down into insights.
• Customizable Branding: Align surveys with company branding through logos and colors.
• Access Controls/Permissions: Define authorization levels for accessing files or systems.
• AI/Machine Learning: Leverage AI and machine learning for enhanced insights.
• CES Survey Structure: Implement Customer Effort Score (CES) surveys to evaluate user satisfaction.

Pricing​

Screeb offers usage-based pricing plans tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. A free trial and a free version are available to explore the platform's features before committing to a paid plan.

Integrations​

Screeb integrates with various third-party tools and platforms, enabling seamless data exchange and streamlined workflows.

User Ratings​

Screeb has an overall rating of 4.6/5 from users on Capterra. Positive reviews highlight its user-friendly interface, responsive customer support, and ability to gather valuable user insights. Users appreciate the high survey response rates and the platform's ability to personalize questions while following branding guidelines.

Support and Scalability​

Screeb is known for its responsive customer support, assisting with survey implementation and troubleshooting. The platform is designed to scale as your business grows, accommodating increasing survey needs and evolving requirements.

3. Alchemer​

Features​

Extensive Question Options Alchemer offers 43 different question types and a Custom Question Developer Kit. Some specialized question types include Max Diff, Image Heatmap, Conjoint, and Card Sort. Advanced Logic and Branching Alchemer has over 20 logic and branching options, such as question piping, auto-complete text responses, and skip logic, to enhance survey quality and completion rates. Flexible Reporting Alchemer allows users to generate filtered, segmented, and longitudinal reports. It also offers open-text analysis, conjoint analysis, and crosstab functionality. TURF reports are also available, and data can be exported to R-Script and SPSS for in-depth analysis.

Pricing Plans​

Integrations​

Alchemer integrates with popular tools like Salesforce, Slack, HubSpot, MailChimp, and Jira. The platform also supports custom integrations with existing business systems.

User Ratings​

Alchemer has an overall rating of 4.4/5 on G2. Reviewers highlight the powerful features and effective enterprise-grade capabilities. They also praise its flexibility, ease of use, and value compared to other enterprise solutions.

Support and Scalability​

Alchemer is known for its responsive customer support and quick implementation process. The platform is designed to scale as businesses grow, accommodating increasing survey needs without requiring extensive IT resources.

4. Typeform​

Features​

• Customized User Journeys: Craft tailored survey experiences for different customer groups, ensuring each respondent receives a relevant and engaging flow.
• Drag-and-Drop Form Builder: Build forms effortlessly with Typeform's intuitive drag-and-drop builder, simplifying survey creation and customization.
• Conditional Logic: Display questions based on previous responses, skipping irrelevant queries to improve the experience.
• Unlimited Forms: Create unlimited forms and surveys, even with a free account.

Pricing​

The Essentials plan is best for small businesses, while the Professional and Premium plans offer additional features like custom domains, advanced logic, and higher response limits.

Integrations​

Typeform provides over 120 integrations across categories like analytics, automation, CMS, email marketing, lead generation, and sales. It connects seamlessly with popular tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Calendly.

User Feedback​

Typeform has an overall rating of 4.7/5 on Capterra. Users praise its visually appealing forms, user-friendly interface, and engaging survey experience. However, some find the pricing high for infrequent usage and report occasional glitches or lags with complex forms.

Support and Scalability​

Typeform offers responsive customer support and can scale from small businesses to enterprise-level operations, accommodating increasing survey needs without extensive IT resources.

5. Survicate​

Features​

• Customizable Surveys: Create surveys with a drag-and-drop builder. Customize colors and logos to match your company's branding.
• Multi-Channel Distribution: Send surveys via email, website, mobile app, or other channels to reach customers wherever they are.
• Survey Templates: Choose from over 400+ pre-built survey templates for various use cases, such as NPS, CSAT, and CES.
• Survey Logic: Display relevant questions based on previous responses using conditional logic and skip patterns.

Pricing​

Survicate offers a free plan with limited responses and paid plans starting from $99/month.

Integrations​

Survicate connects with popular tools like Hubspot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Zapier for seamless data transfer and automation.

User Ratings​

Survicate has an overall rating of 4.6/5 on G2. Users appreciate its ease of use, customization options, and helpful customer service. Some note occasional delays in survey updates and limited reporting features.

Support and Scalability​

Survicate provides responsive customer support and can scale from small businesses to enterprise-level operations, accommodating increasing survey needs.

6. Userflow​

Features​

• In-App Surveys: Create surveys directly within your product using Userflow's flow builder. Ask questions like NPS, CSAT, or open-ended questions.
• Conditional Logic: Show relevant questions based on previous responses using logic jumps.
• Question Types: Support various formats, including NPS, multi-line text, multiple choice, scale, single-line text, and star ratings.
• Contextual Targeting: Trigger surveys at the right time based on user behavior, attributes, and in-app events.

Pricing​

Integrations Userflow integrates with popular analytics tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Segment, and Heap to stream survey response data. It also connects with CRMs such as Salesforce and HubSpot.

User Feedback​

Userflow has a 4.8/5 rating on G2. Users appreciate its ease of use and flow builder capabilities but note its limitations in reporting and analytics compared to alternatives.

Support and Scalability​

Userflow provides email support and a knowledge base. As a cloud-based solution, it can scale to accommodate growing survey needs for businesses of all sizes.

7. SurveyJS​

Features​

• Open-Source JavaScript Library: SurveyJS is a free, open-source JavaScript library for creating forms and surveys. It supports popular frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue3, giving you complete control over the backend and data storage.
• Customizable UI: Easily customize the user interface design with CSS classes and a no-code CSS Theme Editor. Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to match your branding.
• Conditional Logic: The drag-and-drop form builder includes a graphical interface for setting up conditional logic, form branching, and skip patterns. Over 200 demos with code examples are available.
• PDF Surveys: Create editable PDF surveys and view results through interactive charts and tables.

Pricing​

Integrations SurveyJS stores survey metadata and results in JSON format, allowing integration with any server or database. It can be fully integrated into your IT infrastructure for a self-hosted form management system.

Support and Scalability​

Technical support is available through a subscription. As a self-hosted solution, SurveyJS can scale to accommodate growing survey needs for businesses of any size.

8. Mailchimp​

Features​

• Email Campaigns: Mailchimp allows you to create and send newsletters, automated emails, and targeted email blasts. It offers a drag-and-drop email builder, customizable templates, and personalization options.
• Contact Management: Segment your contacts into lists based on interests, behavior, and other criteria. Manage subscribers, handle unsubscribes, and clean contact lists.
• Lead Capture: Create landing pages and embedded forms to grow your email lists. Customize the design and integrate it with your website or social media.
• Automation: Set up automated email workflows triggered by user actions, such as welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and birthday messages.
• Analytics: Track email performance metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Access detailed reports and insights.

Pricing​

Integrations Mailchimp offers over 300 integrations with popular tools and services, including:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM
• E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento
• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel
• Survey Tools: Survicate, SurveyMonkey

User Feedback​

Mailchimp generally receives positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.3/5 stars. Users appreciate its ease of use, robust features, and extensive integrations. However, some find the pricing high for larger contact lists.

Support and Scalability​

Mailchimp offers email and chat support, with phone support available on the Premium plan. The platform can also scale to accommodate large contact lists and high email volumes, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

9. Google Forms​

Features​

• Free to Use: Google Forms is entirely free to use with a Google account, making it accessible for small businesses on a tight budget.
• Question Types: It offers 11 different question formats, including multiple choice, checkboxes, short answers, and linear scale questions.
• Templates: There are 17 free templates available to quickly create surveys, quizzes, and other forms.
• Customization: You can customize the look by changing colors, adding images or logos, and adjusting font styles.
• Basic Logic: Basic logic options allow you to display questions based on previous responses.
• Quiz Grading: For quizzes and assessments, you can set correct answers, assign points, and automatically grade submissions.
• Collaboration: Real-time collaboration allows teams to work together on creating and editing forms.
• Google Integration: Google Forms integrates with other Google apps, such as Sheets, Docs, and Drive, for data collection and analysis.

Pricing​

Google Forms is completely free to use, with no paid plans or limitations on responses or questions.

Integrations​

Google Forms offers native integration with Google Workspace Apps like Sheets, Docs, and Drive. Additionally, integrations with third-party tools are available through add-ons and extensions.​

User Feedback​

Google Forms receives positive reviews for its simplicity, ease of use, and accessibility as a free tool. However, some users note that features and customization are limited compared to paid survey platforms.

Support and Scalability​

Online resources, forums, and community support are available, but Google Forms has no dedicated customer support channels. In addition, while it can handle large numbers of responses, it may have limitations for complex survey requirements or large-scale data analysis compared to enterprise-level tools.

10. SurveyMonkey​

Features​

• Survey Builder: Create surveys easily with a wide range of question types, logic rules, and customization options.
• Question Library: Access pre-made questions and templates to build surveys quickly.
• Branding: Customize surveys with your company's logos, colors, and fonts.
• Distribution: Share surveys via email, website links, social media, and more.
• Data Analysis: Analyze results with charts, filters, and data visualization tools.
• Integrations: Connect with popular tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Mailchimp

Pricing Plans​

Integrations SurveyMonkey connects with various tools, including:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics
• Email Marketing: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Marketo
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics
• Collaboration: Slack, Trello, Zendesk

SurveyMonkey also offers a REST API for custom integrations.

User Feedback​

SurveyMonkey receives positive reviews for its user-friendly interface, advanced features, and robust reporting capabilities. 

Support and Scalability​

SurveyMonkey offers online resources, tutorials, and dedicated customer support channels for paid plans. With its enterprise-level plans and robust features, the platform is great for businesses of all sizes, from small teams to large organizations.

How to Choose the Best Survey Software​

Choose the survey software that best fits your business's needs, objectives, and desired customization. Survicate and SurveyMonkey excel in data analysis and ease of use—Survicate is known for its flexibility and helpful support, while SurveyMonkey boasts AI-powered creation and a wide range of questions. If you prioritize visually appealing and interactive surveys, Typeform is your best bet. Ultimately, your choice should match your requirements and goals, helping you thrive in today’s digital world.

Conclusion​

Gathering customer feedback is crucial for small business growth in today's market. That's why choosing the right survey software is vital—it helps improve products, drives sales, and fosters growth. With numerous options available, consider each tool's features, usability, and fit for your needs and budget. Also, consider the effectiveness of giveaways and contests in boosting small business sales. They're more than promotions—they're opportunities to connect deeply with customers. Tools like Raffle Leader simplify crafting viral giveaways tailored to your brand. Try combining giveaways with your selected survey software to engage customers in new ways and drive your business toward sustainable growth.

Running a giveaway on Instagram isn't just a trend, it's a proven method to boost engagement, increase followers, and build brand awareness. But how does one navigate the process effectively? It's not as daunting as it may seem.

Firstly, it's essential to understand the mechanics of a successful Instagram giveaway. It's more than just posting a prize and waiting for the likes to roll in. There's strategy involved, from selecting the right prize to crafting a compelling call-to-action.

Lastly, it's important to know the rules. Instagram has guidelines for contests and giveaways that you'll need to follow. Ignoring these could lead to your giveaway being shut down or worse, your account being suspended. So, let's dive into the world of Instagram giveaways and discover how to run one successfully.

Understanding the Basics of a Instagram Giveaway​

Possessing a thorough understanding of the basics of an Instagram giveaway is vital for anyone intending to use this strategy. Delving into the mechanics of these social media contests allows businesses to extract maximum value without stumbling over unforeseen pitfalls.

Defining Your Giveaway Goals​

Before one ventures into the world of Instagram giveaways, it's critical to clearly define what the end objective is. Whether it's increasing followership, sparking engagement, raising brand awareness or instigating user-generated content, these objectives should be vivid and measurable. It's these goals that'll inform the type of giveaway to run, the ideal prize, and the primary call-to-action.

When setting goals, one should consider factors such as:

• The target demographic: a clear understanding of the target audience will dictate the kind of prize that'll be appealing and subsequently, successful.
• The desired growth number: this helps in tracking the success of the giveaway.

Knowing Instagram’s Promotion Guidelines​

Like any other platform, Instagram has its own set of promotion guidelines that marketers ought to strictly adhere to. Neglecting these rules could result in unpleasant repercussions like having the giveaway shut down or the account suspended. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines located under Instagram's policy section; they're regularly updated and provide comprehensive information on how to legally run promotions on the platform.

Key guidelines include:

• Acknowledging that the promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.
• Providing clear and concise rules that follow Instagram's community guidelines.

By defining the end goals and understanding Instagram's promotion rules, brands can confidently orchestrate giveaways that drive the desired results. This foundational knowledge lays the groundwork for more focused strategies that'll revisit throughout the article.

Planning and Preparation​

Preparing for an Instagram giveaway involves much more than just choosing a prize and announcing the contest. It requires meticulous planning and attention to details. It's necessary to decide on a prize appealing to the target audience, outline an entry process, and establish the timeline along with the rules of the giveaway. By detailing these factors thoroughly, brands can ensure a smooth-running giveaway that energizes their audience and delivers tangible results.

Deciding on the Prize​

The centerpiece of any successful giveaway is, naturally, the prize. The prize can make or break a giveaway - it's what grabs people's attention and incentivizes them to participate. Therefore, it must resonate with the target audience. It could be a popular product, a bundle of products, or an exclusive experience related to the brand. In other words, the prize should reflect the brand's value while also catering to its audience's preferences.

Outlining the Entry Process​

Next up is defining the entry process. This process should strike a balance between simplicity and effectiveness. Users wouldn't participate if the process is too taxing or confusing. On the other hand, using a simple hashtag or becoming a follower might not fully harness the brand-building potential of a giveaway. A well-rounded entry process might include steps like:

• Following the brand's account
• Liking and commenting on the giveaway post
• Tagging friends in the comments
• Sharing the post on their own Instagram stories

By leveraging multiple user actions, businesses can optimize their reach while also keeping the entry process user-friendly.

Establishing the Timeline and Rules​

Finally, it's crucial to clearly communicate the rules and timeline of the giveaway. The timeline should be long enough to allow a good number of entries but not too long that users lose interest. Rules, too, should be understandable and easily accessible. They should comply with Instagram's policies and highlight key points like eligible regions, how and when winners will be chosen, and any age or other restrictions.

Drafting detailed rules may seem daunting, but it's necessary to guard against potential problems and ensure a fair process. Thus, in the planning phase, brands should consider:

• The starting and ending dates of the giveaway
• How entries will be counted and reviewed
• The date and method of announcing the winner

Running an Instagram giveaway might seem like a fun and spontaneous event, but successful ones are anything but. They need thought, strategy, and, above all, planning.

Promoting Your Instagram Giveaway​

After the groundwork's been set for the Instagram giveaway, it's time for a crucial aspect: promotion. How a brand drives traffic to its contest can make or break its success. This involves crafting compelling posts, leveraging hashtags and influencers, and utilizing cross-promotion strategies.

Crafting Compelling Giveaway Posts​

For an Instagram giveaway to be successful, it's essential to create compelling posts that engage the brand's audience. This starts with a high-quality image or video that immediately grabs attention. This might be the product up for grabs, an interesting graphic, or a short clip of someone using the prize. Captions are another important element. They should be brief and enticing, providing a quick overview of the prize and clear instructions for entry.

To boost engagement, it's recommended to encourage users to like, comment, or share the post as part of the contest rules. Companies could consider incorporating engagement-facilitating elements in their post such as "Tag two friends who you'd love to share this prize with!" or "Double your chances of winning by sharing this post on your story!".

Leveraging Hashtags and Influencers​

Hashtags play a big role in Instagram discovery. They can greatly increase the reach of your giveaway by bringing it in front of users who may not be following your account. Come up with a unique hashtag for your giveaway, something that encapsulates the essence of your brand or the giveaway itself. This could be as simple as #YourBrandNameGiveaway or something more creative. Popular giveaway-related hashtags like #giveaway and #contest can also attract more participants.

Influencer partnerships can bring enormous benefits to an Instagram giveaway. Influencers generally have large, engaged audiences that trust their recommendations. Working with influencers, preferably those in your industry or niche, can give your giveaway a significant visibility boost.

Cross-Promotion Strategies​

Finally, enlist the help of other social media platforms to build buzz around an Instagram giveaway. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and email newsletters can be valuable tools to spread the word about your contest. Brands can share a link to the giveaway post or simply post a brief teaser about the giveaway on these platforms.

Cross-promotion isn't limited to the digital world. There's value in leveraging offline marketing avenues – think catalogs, mailers, brick-and-mortar stores. By integrating online and offline initiatives, brands can fully exploit the promotional potential of an Instagram giveaway.

By implementing these tactics, companies move closer to a more successful and impactful Instagram giveaway. The road certainly doesn't end there but these strategies set a solid foundation to attract participants and hopefully, convert them into lasting followers. As a brand ventures forth in planning their giveaway, it's vital to remember that fine-tuning and adjusting strategies based on response and engagement metrics can help optimize the overall results.

Managing the Giveaway​

Ensuring an Instagram giveaway runs efficiently and effectively also involves managing the giveaway itself. This can include monitoring engagement, ensuring fair play, and selecting and announcing the winner. Let's delve further into these crucial aspects.

Monitoring Engagement​

To gauge the success of the giveaway, and to make any necessary adjustments, it's important to actively monitor participant engagement. Check for spikes in the number of followers, likes, shares, or comments. It's also crucial to keep an eye on the quality of interactions - are they genuine, are they from your target market? There are numerous analytics tools available that can assist in tracking these vital statistics. But remember, it's not just about the numbers. Engagement quality matters too.

Ensuring Fair Play​

Fair play is crucial in running a successful Instagram giveaway. Not only does it keep participants satisfied, but it also ensures that your brand maintains credibility and upholds Instagram's terms and conditions. To ensure fairness, clearly state the rules and criteria from the start, and consistently apply them throughout the giveaway. It's also a good idea to use a third-party app or service to help manage entries and keep everything fair and transparent.

Selecting and Announcing the Winner​

Selecting the winner can be one of the most exciting parts of the giveaway. It's essential to choose a winner based on the defined criteria and to announce it in a timely and festive manner. One common method for selection is to use a random generator tool, providing an unbiased and transparent process. Once the winner is chosen, announce it to your followers with an engaging post, and make sure to congratulate the winner personally. Remember, successful giveaways can lead directly to increased brand loyalty and user engagement, so make the most of this opportunity to delight your audience.

Post-Giveaway Activities​

The thrill of a giveaway doesn't end the moment a winner is chosen. What occurs after the reward's claimed can provide valuable insights that can shape future campaigns. May it be about analyzing the results, engaging with the participants, or learning from your audience's feedback; these are crucial elements in the post-giveaway period.

Analyzing the Giveaway’s Success​

Once the winner's been announced and the hype's started to cool, it's time to delve into the data. This helps in understanding how your giveaway performed and what sections you may need to improve. The primary metrics to check include participation rate, engagement level, the number of new followers gained, and essentially, if it brought you closer to your initial giveaway goals.

Let's look at these metrics in a more detailed manner:

Metric	Description
Participation Rate	It gauges how many people entered the giveaway.
Engagement Level	It shows the level of interaction on the giveaway post (likes, comments, shares).
New Followers Gained	It indicates how many new followers came through the giveaway.
Giveaway Goals Achieved	It determines if your target goals have been met.

Remember, each giveaway is a learning experience, and results will differ based on your audience, the prize offered, and the overall execution.

Engaging with Participants After the Event​

Participants who didn't win might be disappointed, but keeping them engaged even after the event can transform those feelings in a positive way and retain them as followers. The after-giveaway period is a prime time to interact with your audience via post-event follow-ups, thank you messages, and showcasing the winner and their prize.

This is not just about damage control, but a chance to build further rapport with your audience and inspire loyalty. Future content could feature the winner using the prize, feedback on the event, or even flash deals just for participants.

Learning from Feedback for Future Giveaways​

Nothing's perfect; not even a well-planned Instagram giveaway. There will always be areas of improvement. Understanding what worked and what didn't is crucial and will only lead to better results in the future. That's why taking feedback from participants is an absolute must.

Perhaps your audience thinks the giveaway could have been promoted better, or the rules were too tricky, or even that the prize didn't align with their interests. Gathering this feedback lets you continually evolve your strategy, ensuring that each giveaway you conduct outperforms the previous one.

With these insights, it's clear that what happens behind the giveaway scenes is just as important as the event itself, equipping you for success with your future Instagram giveaways. Line your next giveaway up for success by taking advantage of these valuable post-giveaway activities.

Conclusion: Maximizing Your Instagram Giveaway's Impact​

Running a successful Instagram giveaway isn't just about the event itself. It's about the strategic planning, careful execution, and insightful analysis that surround it. It's about understanding Instagram's guidelines, creating compelling posts, and leveraging the power of hashtags and influencers. It's about fair play, active monitoring, and timely winner announcement. But most importantly, it's about engaging with your audience and building lasting relationships.

Post-giveaway activities, like analyzing metrics and gathering feedback, are just as important as the giveaway itself. They're what help you understand your audience better, improve your strategies, and achieve your goals. They're what turn a simple giveaway into a powerful tool for growth and engagement. So don't just run a giveaway. Maximize its impact. And remember, every giveaway is a learning opportunity. Use it wisely.

If you want to run an Instagram giveaway, then you need to use the most powerful and simple-to-use software on the market, Raffle Leader.

In the competitive world of business, small companies often find it challenging to go head-to-head with larger firms, particularly in marketing and advertising. However, there’s a strategy that’s been helping level the playing field: giveaways.

Giveaways aren’t just about freebies. They’re a powerful tool that can boost customer base, amplify brand awareness, and cultivate customer loyalty. With a well-planned giveaway, small businesses can achieve their goals and see a significant improvement in their performance.

This article delves into the question: do giveaways increase sales for small businesses? We’ll explore the potential of giveaways to drive interactions, sales, and reach a wider audience. We’ll also share some unique giveaway ideas that can be tailored to your business needs. So, let’s dive in and discover how giveaways can be a game-changer for your small business.

Do Giveaways Increase Sales: The Proof​

It’s not uncommon for skeptics to question the effectiveness of giveaways in driving sales. However, real-world data suggests otherwise. Let’s examine a case in point: SeedProd. This WordPress website builder used a giveaway strategy over the Black Friday holidays, offering entrants the chance to win a MacBook Air. The result? They saw a surge in new users, tallying over 4000. This translated to 3X their average sales, an impressive jump for any small business.

However, giveaways aren’t just about spurring immediate sales. They function as a potent component of your broader marketing strategy. Through tools like CliquePrize, giveaways gather vital contestant data – or, lead data. They also spread brand awareness and fuel engagement. By proposing a giveaway, you’re essentially offering a free trial of sorts, inviting customers to consider your brand. Given the buzz they generate and their potential for viral, word-of-mouth marketing, giveaways can indeed catalyze sales in the long run.

Clever utilization of giveaways can, therefore, pave the way for both immediate and potential sales boosts. The same principle applies to ‘swag.’ This common term in business giveaways means promotional merchandise or branded items. As our current digital age loves free stuff, a strategic use of swag can effectively promote your brand, raise brand awareness, and cultivate customer loyalty. Thus, yes, giveaways can be an influential sales driver for small businesses.

How Giveaways Can Boost Sales for Small Businesses​

Giveaways do not merely benefit businesses by immediately increasing sales. This marketing tactic offers a wider range of benefits that can increase sales in the long run if leveraged correctly. Here are ten ways small businesses can use giveaways to enhance their bottom line.

1. Grow Your Email List​

One key benefit of running a giveaway is bolstering your email list. But how does growing an email list translate to increased sales? Well, once you’ve collected the emails of your contestants, you can execute a targeted email marketing campaign towards this specific group. Considering that most people check their emails first thing in the morning, this technique has a high success rate.

Raffle Leader's template “Grow Your Email List” can be utilized for this purpose, as it encourages contestants to opt-in for a chance to win. Once you have them on your list, it’s easier to nurture them through your marketing funnel and turn them into customers. For instance, you can email them with coupons and limited-time offers to pique their interest.

2. Increase Social Media Followers​

Social media contests and giveaways have proven to be successful in gaining more followers. Businesses can earnestly build a community around their brands, increasing engagement and reaching potential customers who might not have been previously aware of the brand. For instance, campaigns like Glossier’s BoyBrowGrooming and Sephora’s SephoraSquad both encouraged followers to engage, resulting in a significant increase in their followers count.

3. More Social Engagement​

With platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn offering avenues to share contests, more social engagement with your brand can be achieved. Users referred by familiar folks are more likely to participate in your contests. This helps to encourage a sense of community around your brand.

4. Boost Website Traffic​

The more people interact with your giveaways through various channels, the more traffic is driven to your website. This engagement then increases the chances for these visits to convert to sales, thereby benefiting your overall bottom line.

5. Easy Retargeting​

By completing the contest entry actions, contestants provide helpful user data that facilitates retargeting campaigns. Tools like CliquePrize aid businesses to capture this lead data, creating a directory where these contestants can find your small business easily.

6. Improve Product Exposure​

Giveaways are similar to free trials. Offering a chance to win your product introduces it to potential customers, leading to product exposure and potential long-term loyalty.

7. Collect User-Generated Content​

Giveaways also provide an opportunity for collecting User-Generated Content. This improves your brand exposure, as enthusiastic participants will likely post and share about the giveaways on different platforms.

8. Gather Helpful Feedback​

Some often overlook the benefit of consumer feedback, which can be derived from contests and giveaways. This helpful information allows for adjustments and improvements, leading to better products and service.

9. Increase Word-of-Mouth Marketing​

Nothing beats the good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing. Running a successful giveaway encourages happy participants to spread the word about your business, thereby reaching a larger audience.

10. Save Time and Money​

Compared to other marketing methods, running giveaways is cost-efficient. Not only do they increase exposure rapidly, but they also require minimal resources.

It’s noteworthy to mention that giveaways offer an exciting opportunity to reel customers in, and they are more likely to stay and shop your products when this strategy is employed. Following these strategies judiciously can significantly impact your small business positively.

The Potential Downsides of Giveaways​

While the impact of giveaways on a small business’s bottom line can be compelling, some potential downsides should be considered before diving headfirst into this strategy. Giveaways carry the risk of attracting individuals who are only interested in freebies. Some entrants might have no genuine interest in the product, service or even the brand. They’re simply out for what they can get for free, which does little to further the business’s objectives.

Use of resources is another aspect that needs a careful eye. Conducting a giveaway requires an investment – there’s the cost of the ‘prize’, time spent planning and promoting the event, and even potential legal considerations.

In light of these factors, it’s important to find a balance and ensure giveaways are not draining more resources than they’re worth. A properly planned and executed giveaway can offer great returns.

Don’t get discouraged. Challenges are part of any marketing strategy, and giveaways are no different. Understanding these potential pitfalls can help guide a more effective and efficient approach to this exciting promotion technique.

Run Your First Giveaway With Raffle Leader​

Hopefully, this guide has shown you the value of running a giveaway. If you’re sold, the next step is to get giveaways up and running for your business. Follow our guide to create an online giveaway with Raffle Leader to start getting leads immediately.

Ever since Marc Andreessen declared that software is eating the world, we have seen an explosion in the SaaS market. It is now an absolute behemoth:

Where there is money, entrepreneurs will follow. This was definitely the case for software, as ambitious entrepreneurs figured out that software is cheaper to start and easier to scale than any other business on Earth. Basically, anybody with a laptop, some coding skills, and a good idea could now become a millionaire.

This gold rush has led to an extremely saturated market. For example, just take a look at the landscape for marketing technologies:

Couple this congestion with the continued complexification of software with the development of AI and blockchain, and you now have many people proclaiming that all of the low hanging fruit in SaaS has been picked. That making a pretty penny in software now requires extreme business savvy, cutting-edge technical skills, a genius idea, or a combination of all three.

There is definitely a kernel of truth in that belief. Much of the low hanging fruit in SaaS has indeed been picked.

Except for in WordPress.

WordPress is where we are betting the growth of Raffle Leader on, and we think any aspiring SaaS founder should consider doing the same for four reasons:

1. Huge Market Size​

It’s easy to think you are giving up potential market size by focusing on WordPress, but this really isn’t the case.

WordPress powers 42.7% of the internet.

That’s more than enough to build a sizable business.

2. Ease of Discovery​

WordPress plugins have a dedicated directory and search bar.

Obviously, you still have to put a lot of work into marketing.

But at least there’s a chance that people will be able to find you organically.

Think of it as basically free and easy SEO.

3. B2B Sales​

WordPress is a favorite among business owners, especially small business owners.

These business owners require software just like any other business owner, but general SaaS tools literally do not work on WordPress.

That means 42.7% of the internet has dedicated software needs, and most entrepreneurs are completely ignoring them.

Basically, WordPress makes it easy to find and sell to potential customers.

4. Less Competition​

This is the big one.

How many techies do you see talking about WordPress today?

Personally, we don’t see a whole lot.

That’s because a lot of people have forgotten about WordPress.

Frankly, it’s not on the cutting edge anymore.

And you see this when you look at the top plugins.

Many of them are still the plugins from yesteryear. It looks like we teleported back to 2011.

There’s no AI, the branding is boring, the copy is stale, and so on and so forth.

It’s a massive market where the top players are asleep at the wheel.

That’s a market we like.

Conclusion​

Are you more likely to get rich with a boring HVAC company or a pre-seed venture-backed startup?

The answer, by a long shot, is the boring HVAC company.

We see WordPress as analogous to the HVAC company, and SaaS as the pre-seed venture-backed startup.

One is a market where most people will be able to make money with enough work, while the other is a market that is undeniably shiny but extremely saturated.

Don’t overcomplicate things.

There’s still low hanging fruit to be picked with WordPress.

Go pick it.