Hello there, fellow LEGO® enthusiasts! Tom here again, from FreePrizeDraws.co.uk. If you’re as mad about LEGO® sets as I am, you’ve probably wondered how to share your love of bricks with the world. Well, one of the best ways to do that is by organising your own LEGO® giveaway competition! Whether you’re running it for fun, promoting your brand, or just want to spread the joy of building, a LEGO® giveaway is a brilliant way to connect with others and give them a chance to win something exciting. Plus, it’s not as tricky as it sounds—promise!
Now, as much as my grandkids would love it if I gave away half my LEGO® collection (fat chance!), there are some easier, more organised ways to run a LEGO® competition. So, stick the kettle on, grab a biscuit (or three), and let me walk you through the steps to run your own cracking LEGO® giveaway.
Step 1: Decide on your prize
First things first—what are you giving away? This is the fun bit. Whether it’s a small LEGO® set, a rare minifigure, or a coveted collector’s edition, your prize should be something that’ll get LEGO® fans excited. After all, the better the prize, the more entries you’re likely to get!
Here are a few things to consider when picking your prize:
- Budget: Set a budget for the prize and any additional costs, like shipping. If it’s a large set or a collector’s item, factor in the potential postage and packaging costs.
- Audience: Think about who you want to enter your competition. Are you targeting seasoned LEGO® builders, casual fans, or perhaps parents looking to win a set for their kids? Pick a prize that matches your audience.
- Personal favourites: If you’re struggling to decide, go with a LEGO® set you personally love (just try not to keep it for yourself!). Sharing your enthusiasm for a specific set can make your giveaway more engaging.
Step 2: Choose the competition type
Next, you’ll need to decide how people will enter your giveaway. There are a few different options here, depending on what you want to achieve and how interactive you want the competition to be. Here are a few ideas:
- Social media-based: Ask people to follow your account, like a post, tag a friend, or share your competition post to enter. This is a great way to build your audience and get your competition in front of more eyeballs.
- Form entry: Use a website like Google Forms, Gleam.io, or ViralSweep to collect entries through a simple form. This method is ideal if you want to gather email addresses for a newsletter or future promotions.
- Skill-based: If you want to up the ante, you could add a skill-based element, like asking participants to submit a creative LEGO® build or answer a trivia question. Just be aware that in the UK, skill-based competitions must meet certain legal criteria (the question needs to be tricky enough that it’s not seen as a lottery).
No matter which method you choose, make sure it’s easy for people to enter. The simpler the process, the more entries you’ll get!
Step 3: Set the terms and conditions
This bit might not sound as fun as picking out the LEGO® prize, but it’s absolutely essential. Clear and well-thought-out terms and conditions protect both you and the participants. It doesn’t have to be complicated—just a few key details to cover the rules and requirements. Here’s what you should include:
- Entry period: Specify the start and end date of your competition. Make sure to stick to these dates to keep everything above board.
- Eligibility: Are there any restrictions on who can enter? Most competitions are UK-only, for example, and you might want to set an age limit (especially if you’re giving away a 16+ LEGO® set).
- How to enter: Clearly state the entry method(s). If it’s a free competition, make sure that’s obvious. If you’re charging for entry (such as selling raffle tickets), remember that UK law requires a free entry route as well, such as by post. You’ll need to make this free route just as visible as the paid one.
- Prize details: Describe the prize(s) in detail. If it’s a specific LEGO® set, include the set number or name so there’s no confusion.
- Winner selection: Explain how the winner will be chosen (more on this in a bit). You can use a random draw or a skill-based selection—just make sure it’s fair and transparent.
- Contacting the winner: Let entrants know how you’ll be contacting the winner (usually by email or direct message). Be clear about how long they have to respond before you pick another winner.
Step 4: Use software to manage entries
While I love LEGO® sets, I’m not quite as keen on handling piles of paper or keeping track of endless entries in a notebook. Luckily, we’re in the 21st century, and there are loads of brilliant tools to help you manage your giveaway. Depending on your needs, here are a couple of options I recommend:
- Gleam.io: This is one of the most popular platforms for running giveaways. It’s easy to use, integrates with social media platforms, and has lots of entry options, like following your social accounts or sharing your content. You can also use it to pick a random winner with just a few clicks.
- ViralSweep: Another cracking option, ViralSweep offers a range of features for running competitions, from basic giveaways to more complex promotions. It’s a bit more feature-packed than Gleam, so it’s great if you’re looking for something flexible.
- Google Forms: If you’re after something simple and free, Google Forms works a treat for collecting entries. You can create a form in minutes and then use a tool like Rafflys or Wheel of Names to randomly pick a winner from the list of entries.
Step 5: Promote your competition
Once your competition is all set up, it’s time to get the word out! The more people who know about it, the more entries you’ll get, so shout it from the rooftops (or, more likely, your social media accounts).
Here are a few ways to promote your LEGO® giveaway:
- Social media: Post about your competition on your social accounts, and don’t be afraid to keep reminding people while it’s running! If you have a bit of a budget, you could even boost the post to reach more people.
- Email newsletters: If you’ve got a mailing list, let your subscribers know about the competition. Even a quick reminder email can boost your entries.
- LEGO® forums: There are plenty of LEGO® fan communities online, like Brickset and Eurobricks. These forums are full of LEGO® lovers who would jump at the chance to win a set, so share your competition there if possible.
- Word of mouth: Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth. Tell your friends, family, and anyone else who’ll listen about your giveaway. You’d be surprised how quickly news of a LEGO® competition spreads.
Step 6: Pick your winner fairly
Once the competition closes, it’s time for the exciting part—picking a winner! For a free entry competition, you’ll want to use a random selection tool to keep things fair and transparent. If you’re running a paid competition with a free postal route, you’ll need to include those postal entries as well.
Here are a few tools that make winner selection a doddle:
- Rafflys: Rafflys is a lovely simple tool for picking winners from social media or a list of names. Just pop in the entries, click the button, and it’ll randomly choose your winner. It even has a fun wheel-spinning effect for a bit of extra drama!
- Wheel of Names: If you’re more of a visual person, Wheel of Names is a fun tool that lets you input your entries and spin a colourful wheel to pick a random winner. It’s a bit like a game show—and who doesn’t love a bit of suspense?
- Gleam.io and ViralSweep: If you used one of these platforms to run your giveaway, you can also use their built-in random draw features. They make it super easy to pick a winner and ensure the process is fair.
Step 7: Announce the winner and send the prize
You’ve picked your winner—congratulations! Now, it’s time to let them know the good news. Most competitions will announce the winner on social media or via email. Make sure you get in touch with the winner promptly and confirm their details for sending the prize.
Here’s a little tip from a seasoned comp-er: Keep a record of your winner’s contact details and the prize you sent. That way, if there are any issues (like a prize going missing in the post), you’ve got everything you need to resolve it.
Once the prize is on its way, let everyone know the competition is over and thank them for entering. You could even tease your next LEGO® giveaway to keep people excited!
Final thoughts
Running your own LEGO® giveaway competition might seem like a lot of work, but trust me, it’s well worth the effort. Whether you’re looking to promote your brand, grow your social media following, or just spread some LEGO® love, hosting a giveaway is a brilliant way to engage with fellow LEGO® fans and bring a bit of joy to their lives.
So go on—give it a go! After all, organising a LEGO® giveaway is a bit like building your favourite set. It takes some planning and careful assembly, but the end result is always worth it. Best of luck with your competition, and may the LEGO® force be with you!
Cheers,
Tom (LEGO® nerd extraordinaire)
Image by Andrzej Rembowski from Pixabay