Running a contest or giveaway is a powerful marketing tool, but doing it wrong can harm your reputation or even create legal issues. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to run a fair contest drawing.
Legal Basics of Contest Drawings
”No Purchase Necessary” Rules
Most jurisdictions require this for skill-based contests. For pure random drawings:
- Entry should be free
- No purchase should improve odds
- This protects you legally
Eligibility Restrictions
Common legal restrictions:
- Age (usually 18+)
- Geographic location
- Excluding employees and families
- Industry-specific rules (gambling, alcohol, etc.)
Documentation Requirements
Keep records of:
- Official rules
- Entry period
- Winner selection method
- Winner acceptance
Choosing Your Selection Method
What NOT to Do
- Spinning a bottle: Perceived as biased
- Drawing names from a hat: Manual method, harder to verify
- Social media built-in tools: Often not truly random
What TO Do
Use a dedicated random selection tool like RandomSelect.net that provides:
- Verifiable randomness
- Auditable results
- Professional presentation
Step-by-Step Contest Process
1. Define the Contest
- What are you giving away?
- How do people enter?
- When does it end?
2. Set Clear Rules
Write official rules including:
- Eligibility requirements
- How to enter
- Prize details
- Selection method
- Announcement date
3. Collect Entries
- Use a form or spreadsheet
- Track entry date and time
- Remove duplicates
4. Clean Your Entry List
Before drawing:
- Remove obviously fake entries
- Verify eligibility
- Mark duplicate entries
5. Run the Random Drawing
Use your selector tool:
- Import cleaned list
- Select winner count
- Document the result
- Take screenshots
6. Announce and Verify
- Announce winner publicly
- Contact winner privately
- Give deadline to claim
- Select alternate if needed
How Many Winners?
Single Winner Contests
Easier to manage, higher perceived value per prize.
Multiple Winner Contests
- Increases engagement
- Requires more prize inventory
- Consider tiered prizes (grand prize, runner-ups)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Manually selecting: Even with good intentions, this creates suspicion
- Not documenting: Always have proof of fairness
- Ignoring duplicates: Can disqualify winners unfairly
- No backup plan: What if winner doesn’t respond?
- Delaying announcement: Credibility decreases over time
Contest Ideas That Work
Social Media Contests
- Instagram follow + comment
- Twitter retweet with hashtag
- Facebook share to enter
Email List Building
- Newsletter signup contest
- Referral contests
- Exclusive access prizes
Milestone Celebrations
- Follower count giveaways
- Anniversary specials
- Product launch events
Why Use Professional Tools?
- Transparency: Share the tool you used
- Fairness: Cryptographic randomness
- Professionalism: Screenshot-friendly presentation
- Documentation: Built-in result history
Ready to Run Your Contest?
Our giveaway selector is free and easy to use:
Remember: A fair contest builds trust and generates positive brand association. Cut corners on fairness, and you lose far more than the prize value.