Hello again, authors! Last time, we talked about handmade giveaway items you can make to engage with your readers without spending an arm and a leg on the prize. This time, I’m going to discuss some giveaway purchases that don’t take the time or creativity of making something handmade but still won’t break the bank to buy.
Like last time, I’ll do my best to post links when I can to my suggestions, and, again, I do not get a commission for these links.
As a reminder – even though giveaways are technically a form of swag, I’m keeping the two terms separate, using “giveaway” as a way to get your readers to engage with you, your website, reviews, etc. Swag, for these purposes, is a term I’m using for smaller items you can offer on your table at events such as book signings and conventions.
Part 1: Ideas for Giveaway Purchases
The Quick List:
Bath Products
Hot Drink Sampler
Gift Basket
Stickers
Note Cards
T-shirt/Sweatshirt
Candle/Wax Tarts
Journal w/ Pens
Mug
Ornament/Suncatcher
Magnets
Gift Card
Something to consider if you’re looking for purchased giveaway items, it’s always a wonderful thing if you can also support local/small businesses when possible. It’s worth trying to network with local artisans or shop at websites like Etsy for giveaway purchases that benefit you both.
Let’s look at each option a little closer:
1) Bath Products
This is an expansion on the bath salts listed in my previous post, but now you can offer things you can’t make too. You could even put together a set if you’re looking for a larger option. You can offer soap, lotion, bath salts, etc.
NOTE: Some items take time to sure/process, and there is shipping, so if you’re going to place a custom order, make sure you plan accordingly!
Examples:
2) Hot Drink Sampler
Bibliophiles are notorious coffee and tea drinkers, and there’s always hot chocolate on chilly fall or winter days. Offering your readers a collection of drinks to try, especially if they relate to your book in some way, is a great way to start a conversation with them.
Examples:
3) Gift Baskets
The fun here is that this basket can be anything you want! Candy, chocolate, snacks, movie night at home, book lovers care package and more. You can also include a physical copy of your book with this in a lot of cases, bringing the connection between the giveaway and you even closer.
Examples:
4) Stickers
Vinyl stickers/decals are hugely popular right now, but you don’t have to limit yourself to this style. You can buy a pack of stickers for use in your readers’ journals, a holiday-themed set, or a whole series of stickers related to your book(s) that you get custom printed.
Note: Ordering from a custom site like Sticker Mule involves buying multiple stickers/sheets, so plan for this in your budget, though they often run a sample offer.
Example:
5) Note Cards
Building on the idea of the handmade cards in my last post, you can either buy a premade box of note cards as a giveaway, or you can go to a place where you can get custom cards printed.
Example:
6) T-shirt or Sweatshirt
These days there are multiple sites you can get custom printing done on items. Creating a t-shirt that relates to your book(s) is a great merchandising opportunity, and offering one as a giveaway gets the word out both about your book and your shop!
Examples:
7) Candle/Wax Tart
You can purchase from a Yankee Candle jar candle (or tarts/melts) or one from Bath & Body Works, find a small business that makes book-centric candles, or get one custom-made on Etsy.
Example:
8) Journal with Pen(s)
Do you love to journal? Share it with your readers. Put together a set of your favorite journal and pen(s) as a giveaway. If you’re comfortable with it, you can even share a picture of yourself using your set.
Example:
9) Mug
Much like option #6 on this list, you can get custom-printed mugs you can offer as both merchandise and/or a giveaway. Some sites might make you purchase more than one, but it’s worth looking at what’s available to you!
Example:
10) Ornament/Suncatcher
This one is especially good if your book takes place around the holidays. A suncatcher would be good for a summer book. This provides your reader with something that will make them think of you time and again when they see it.
Example:
11) Magnets
This item toes the line between a giveaway item and swag. Though stickers can also fall into this situation, it’s easier to put together a collection of stickers. However, you can put together a set of magnets that go with your book, either its theme or the covers from a series, that you can offer your readers.
Example:
12) gift Card
The giveaway option that is sure to draw attention; the gift card is the simplest option that is still always a favorite. Amazon is always popular, as are places like Starbucks, Bath & Body Works, or just a Visa gift card as “cash.”
Hopefully, you’ve found some inspiration in Part 2 of Author Giveaways That Won’t Break the Bank for your next engagement with your readers. That’s all for now on giveaway purchases! As always, if you have had luck with a giveaway item and would like to share it, I would love to hear about it in the comments.
Coming Soon:
I promise to come back soon and write about ideas for swag – smaller things you can offer your readers. There’s a lot of discussion about how some items, like silicone bracelets, fill trash cans at the end of events. We’ll talk about possible options that will actually go home with attendees instead of ending up in the land of the forgotten.
However, before I get to that, I’m thinking about putting together some themed reading lists. We are heading right into my favorite time of year (and month), so I’d like to make it fun for all of us!
I’ll also be publishing Book 2 of the Wildwood series, so keep your eye out for more information about that too!
Until next time – keep it extraordinary!
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