How to run a giveaway during a live stream

Across platforms like YouTube, Facebook Live, and even Instagram or TikTok, creators and churches alike are turning to live stream giveaways as a way to deepen connection, drive engagement, and reach people who might otherwise scroll right past.

It’s not just for influencers or big brands. Churches, artists, indie creators, and nonprofits are all seeing results. A giveaway—whether it’s a cash prize, merch bundle, or something simple—can bring new followers, boost brand awareness, and turn a quiet stream into a full-on community moment.

Let’s talk about how to do it well.

Choose the right live streaming platform for your giveaway

Where you stream matters.

YouTube is great if you want to tap into longer-form content, strong chat features, and a subscriber model that rewards consistency. Facebook Live works well if your audience already lives on Facebook or if you’re trying to reach specific community groups. Other platforms like Instagram Live or TikTok Live can be powerful too, depending on your target audience and what kind of experience you want to create.

No matter where you go live, having the right tools matters. A platform like Resi helps you keep your stream stable and professional, which is key when you’ve got people showing up for an exciting prize and you want everything to go off without a hitch.

Some tools also let you add features like a giveaway tab, integrate chat, and track viewer interactions, all of which help create a smoother experience.

Define your giveaway goals

Before you even pick a prize, know what you’re aiming for. Do you want more followers on your social channels? Are you trying to grow your email subscribers list? Is this part of an album release, a church event, or a campaign to promote your latest YouTube videos?

Your goal will shape everything—what you ask people to do to enter, how you talk about the giveaway, and how you promote it. Clarity here makes everything else easier.

Pick a prize that actually excites your viewers

Here’s where you can have a little fun.

The prize doesn’t have to break the bank. It just has to be something your audience actually wants. That could be a cash prize, early access to new content, exclusive merch, or something totally unique to your brand. Multiple prizes work well too if you want to keep more people engaged.

If you’ve ever seen something like the Drizzmas giveaway, you know how themed, over-the-top giveaways can really build hype. But even smaller-scale online giveaways can feel big when you put care into the presentation.

Whatever you pick, make it personal and relevant to your audience. That’s the key to a successful giveaway.

Set the rules for entry and eligibility

Don’t overcomplicate it. People need to know exactly how to enter and what qualifies.

A few entry methods that work well:

You can use a giveaway tool to automate the collection of entries and pick a random winner. Just make sure the rules are clear and legally compliant, especially if your giveaway involves social media platforms or targets people in multiple regions.

Keep it fun. Keep it fair.

Promote your giveaway in advance

A live giveaway works best when people know it’s coming.

Start talking about it days or even weeks in advance. Use your social media, email list, and even in-stream shoutouts to build momentum. If you’ve got advertising partners, get them in on the action. If you’re running ads, experiment with targeted advertising or interest-based ads to get the word out.

The more people you bring into the stream, the more impactful your giveaway becomes—and the more traffic sources you’ll see light up.

Run your giveaway live with energy

Don’t open the giveaway too early in the stream or you’ll risk people tuning out right after. Build anticipation. Mention the giveaway prize a few times. Engage with the chat. Give shoutouts to people who enter. Maybe tease the moment a little.

When you hit that giveaway moment, bring the excitement. This is your biggest streaming giveaway moment. Treat it like it.

Select and announce a winner in real time

Use your giveaway tool to pick a random winner and announce it live. Add visuals if you can. Maybe even bring the winner’s name on-screen or highlight their comment in the chat.

If you’ve got multiple prizes, you can keep the momentum going with a few rounds.

And don’t forget—this is also your chance to tee up the next giveaway. Invite people to stay connected for future streams, online contests, or social media contests.

Follow up and make the most of the momentum

After the stream ends, the work isn’t quite over.

Get the prizes out quickly. Thank everyone for joining. Use your social media to post a quick recap or winner announcement. And if you’ve gained new followers or email subscribers, follow up with something valuable—another video, a thank-you gift, or a reminder about your next event.

This is where momentum turns into long-term engagement.

Conclusion

A giveaway isn’t just about a free prize or a flashy moment.

It’s about connecting with real people—your loyal fans, your followers, your community—and giving them a reason to keep showing up. Whether you’re a church trying to reach new families, a content creator trying to grow your platform, or a brand trying to build trust, a live stream giveaway can be a powerful tool in your toolbox.

Start small. Stay focused. And keep building one moment at a time.

FAQ

What platform is best for a live stream giveaway?
It depends on your audience. YouTube is great for longer-form content and strong discoverability. Facebook Live is better for community-focused or event-based audiences. Choose the one your followers are already using.

What’s a good prize to offer during a YouTube giveaway?
Something your viewers actually want—think gift cards, exclusive merch, digital downloads, or early access to content. The more relevant it is to your audience, the better the engagement.

How do I choose a random winner fairly?
Use a giveaway tool that pulls from your entry pool and selects a name at random. It keeps things transparent and simple.

Can giveaways help grow my social media followers?
Absolutely. If you tie entry to actions like following your page or sharing content, it’s a great way to build momentum and reach.

Are there tools to manage online giveaways?
Yes—there are plenty of free and paid tools that help collect entries, track engagement, and pick winners. Just be sure they integrate with your streaming setup.

Disclaimer: This content has been generated, at least in part, by artificial intelligence.