8 Handmade Giveaway Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

Hey, authors! As I write this, I’m preparing to release the second book of the Wildwood series, so the topic of author giveaways is near and dear to my heart at the moment.  Like many of you, my budget is tight, but I love connecting with my readers.  

A conundrum, right?

Well, maybe not as bad as you might think.

With a little work and creativity, you can come up with giveaways that don’t break the bank.  Which is a great way to interact with current and potential readers.  Authors use giveaways to promote a new book, to expand their newsletter list, when they reach a followers milestone, or even just for fun.

Below is the beginning of a series of posts about author giveaways that won’t break the bank, starting today with a list of handmade options giving you a chance to interact with your readers!

I’m going to break my list into sections: handmade giveaways you can make yourself and items to purchase.  I will try to post links for suggestions or sellers when I can, which are sites that might be helpful to you, I do not get a commission from any of them.

Without further ado, let’s start!

Swag vs. Giveaways

According to www.ipromo.com, swag is “company-branded merchandise and is given away as a form of advertising. Swag can also be obtained through blogs and Web sites when a company wants to promote their brand or products. Essentially, swag is a form of branded merchandise that is given away as a form of advertising.

Similarly, Vangie Beal of webopedia defines swag as “promotional merchandise that’s usually bagged and given away to participants at an event.

Technically, giveaways are a form of swag, but for these articles, I’m going to draw a line between “giveaways” and “swag.” In the future, I will write an article on swag, a term I’ll use to describe small things you can give to readers at events like book signings or conventions. Right now, I’m going to focus on giveaways, which I am defining as a promotional tactic to increase your following/interactions by engaging readers in a sort of contest to win a prize.

Part 1: Handmade Giveaway Ideas

The Quick List:
Bath Salts
Homemade Bookmarks
Homemade Cards
Drawings/Paintings
String Art
Handmade Key/Phone Chain
Shadow Box
Signed Copy of Your Book

Now for the details:

1) Bath Salts

Things like bath salts are always popular, and a great handmade giveaway item.  If you’re a romance author like I am, then they’re completely on-brand too.  You can find simple recipes online to follow (Epsom salt, pink or sea salt, and/or baking soda are often the main ingredients). Add things like dried flowers or a few drops of lavender essential oil, then package it in a cute bottle, label it appropriately (this is important!), and you’re good to go!
Important Note:  You are legally required in the US to list all ingredients on products.  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  You can print labels to put on the jar or even attach a card-style label with ribbon or thin yarn.
Example: Calming Lavender Bath Salts by Woefully

2) Bookmarks

This option takes some creativity and a trip to a craft or art store, but they’re not too hard to make.  Using watercolor or acrylic paint and the matching kind of paper, mark the size of the bookmark on your paper, tape it, and have fun!  You can go as detailed or abstract as you like, anything from ombre, text, to a detailed scene from your book.  Personally, I would suggest sticking to a theme that works with the book/series you’re trying to promote.
Example: Watercolor bookmarks on Pinterest

via: Pinterest

3) Cards/Postcards

Technically, this homemade giveaway is a continuation of the bookmarks, but I think it warrants its own listing.  It is a step up from the bookmarks since they take a little more time and effort, and are considered a more expensive end product. You can use any style you like, from painting, to pencils, or even making a scrapbook-style collage.  You can even make multiple – maybe a whole theme-related set!
Example: 3 Fun and Easy DIY Watercolor Cards by Strathmore

4) Drawings/Painting

We are, yet again, stepping it up from the previous option.  I would suggest doing either a character or scene for the highest connection to your book.  This one, to me personally, is the most intimidating of the handmade giveaways because it puts more of your personal self out there for your readers to see.  It’s also the most time-intensive.  However, for those very reasons, it’s also a reader favorite.  Again, this can be anything from a simple pencil sketch to a detailed painted scene, and your readers will eat up getting to see exactly how you envision your creations. Because, let’s face it, no one knows what you’re world looks like as well as you do!
Example: Search for #authorsketch on Instagram

5) String Art

Does your book include an elephant?  Dreams?  Castle?  Parrots?  What about offering a piece of string art for your readers that’s related to your theme? You can use images or words on this one and still have a great final product.  This is a little time-intensive but should be fun and unique.
Example: String Art Patterns Posts on Pinterest

6) Key Ring/Phone/Purse Charm

No matter how digital we get, people still have car keys, even if we don’t need to take them out all the time anymore.  I don’t know about you, but I still like having a fun keychain – plain keys are boring, right?  For this idea, you can do anything from miniature paintings you can tuck into plastic sleeves, beads, macrame, or anything else. I’ve even seen some impressive shrinky-dink ones.  You can go as plain or as elaborate as you want, and possibly offer multiple winners, increasing your engagement.
Examples:

7) Shadow Box

Keep an eye on your local craft store(s) for when shadow boxes go on sale (or make your own) and this will be a fun project that your readers will love.  Does your book happen around Halloween?  Make a scene with a haunted house, tree, or graveyard.  Does it take place in New York City?  Fill your piece with “I 🧡 NY” stickers, miniatures of the Statue of Liberty, recreate the skyline, or Broadway playbills.  Forest? Silhouettes of pine trees, acorns, and pinecones.  You get the picture!
Note: If you (or a friend) have a paper-cutting machine, this gets a lot easier!
Example:

8) Signed Copies of your Book

Do you have print copies of your book?  If so, you’re already set.  If not – you can upload it to a place like Amazon (which offers a template if you aren’t familiar) and get print copies of your book.  There are options outside of Amazon, of course, but that’s where my personal experience lies, so I’m going with it.  There are a variety of sizes with white or cream paper from which you can choose.  Offer a personalized signed copy of your book and fans will love it!

Up Next: Author Giveaways Part 2: Items to Purchase

Is crafting handmade giveaway items not your idea of fun, or your schedule is so busy you just don’t have time to make something yourself?  That’s fine – everyone has different abilities and schedules!  In Part 2 of the Author Giveaway Items That Don’t Break the Bank series, I’ll start talking about some ideas you can purchase that still won’t cost you an arm and leg but are still fun and engaging.

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed Author Giveaways Part 1: Handmade Giveaway Items, and it has started getting your creative juices running for ideas. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, if you want to share something you made for a giveaway that you made, let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Ellie Winter

2 Comments

  1. Sol Levendoski

    Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the website is extremely good.

    • Ellie Winter

      Hi, Sol! Thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy you enjoyed the post and my site!

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