Grow Your Email List with Giveaways
+ 35+ CRM Integrations
Every giveaway entry captures an email address. The Subscribe to Newsletter entry method goes further, syncing new subscribers directly to your email marketing platform. Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ConvertKit, HubSpot, and 30+ more. No CSV exports, no manual imports.
Why Giveaways Are the Fastest Way to Build an Email List
Social followers are rented audiences. Algorithm changes, account suspensions, and platform shutdowns can wipe out years of growth overnight. An email list is the one marketing asset you actually own. A giveaway gives people a compelling reason to hand over their email address, and the Subscribe to Newsletter entry method makes sure that address ends up in your CRM automatically.
Every SweepWidget giveaway captures an email address at entry. But the Subscribe to Newsletter entry method does something extra: it triggers a real-time sync with your email marketing platform. The subscriber lands in your chosen list or segment the moment they enter. No waiting, no exporting, no manual work. Your welcome sequence fires immediately while the subscriber's attention is at its peak.
The Subscribe to Newsletter Entry Method
When a participant completes this action, their email address is sent directly to your connected CRM or email marketing platform. They are added to the list, segment, or tag you specify during setup. This is the entry method that turns a giveaway from a one-time event into a long-term list-building machine. It works alongside all other entry methods, so you can pair it with social follows, referral sharing, and more.
How It Differs from Standard Email Capture
Every SweepWidget giveaway requires an email address to enter. That email is stored in your SweepWidget dashboard and can be exported as a CSV at any time. The Subscribe to Newsletter entry method adds a second layer: it pushes that email to your external email platform in real time. The difference matters because it means your automated sequences (welcome emails, drip campaigns, product announcements) start immediately, not days later after a manual CSV import.
Use It as a Required Action
You can set Subscribe to Newsletter as a required entry method. When it is required, participants must complete it before they can access any other entry methods in the giveaway. This is the most effective configuration for list building because it guarantees that every single participant ends up on your email list. Social follows, referral sharing, and bonus actions become unlockable rewards after the email capture.
Recommended setup: Set Subscribe to Newsletter as required (1-2 points), then add 3-5 optional entry methods (social follows, refer-a-friend, visit a page) for bonus points. This way, 100% of entrants join your email list while still earning extra entries through other actions. Based on SweepWidget data from 70,000+ giveaways, contests with 5+ entry methods average 787 entrants compared to 163 for single-method giveaways.
Pair Email Capture with Every Channel
The Subscribe to Newsletter entry method works alongside actions from 30+ platforms. A single giveaway can grow your email list while also building your social following, driving traffic, and generating referrals.
The refer-a-friend entry method is especially powerful for email list growth. Every participant gets a unique referral link. When someone enters through that link, both the referrer and the new entrant earn bonus points, and both end up on your email list. It turns every subscriber into a recruiter.
35+ Native CRM & Email Marketing Integrations
SweepWidget connects directly to 35+ email marketing platforms. No Zapier required, no middleware, no extra cost. When a participant completes the Subscribe to Newsletter action, their email is pushed to your platform in real time. Here is every integration, grouped by use case.
No other giveaway tool offers this many native email integrations. Most competitors support 3-5 platforms and charge extra for the rest. SweepWidget includes all 35+ on the Pro plan and above. See the full CRM integration setup guide.
E-Commerce Focused
The dominant email platform for Shopify and e-commerce brands. Giveaway subscribers sync to Klaviyo lists and can trigger automated flows like welcome series, browse abandonment, and post-purchase sequences. If you run a Shopify store, this is likely your integration.
Built for e-commerce with SMS and email in one platform. Sync giveaway entrants to Omnisend segments and trigger multi-channel welcome automations. Popular with DTC brands that combine email, SMS, and push notifications.
E-commerce CRM designed for personalized marketing. Giveaway subscribers flow into Drip workflows where you can segment them based on behavior, tag them as contest leads, and run targeted campaigns based on how they entered.
Content Creators & Newsletter Operators
The go-to email platform for creators, bloggers, and newsletter writers. Giveaway subscribers are added to ConvertKit sequences automatically. Tag them as "giveaway leads" to track conversion rates from contest entries to paying subscribers.
Affordable email marketing with a generous free tier. Ideal for newsletter operators and small creators who need professional email features without a large budget. Giveaway entries sync to MailerLite groups for targeted follow-up.
Built by AppSumo for content creators who want simple, affordable email marketing. A lifetime deal makes it popular with indie creators. Giveaway subscribers sync directly to SendFox lists.
Low-cost email marketing that scales well for growing newsletters. Free for up to 2,500 subscribers. Giveaway entrants are added to your EmailOctopus lists automatically, making it a strong option for bootstrapped creators.
Enterprise & All-in-One Platforms
Full CRM with marketing, sales, and service tools. Giveaway subscribers become HubSpot contacts with campaign attribution, so your sales team can see exactly which leads came from the contest. Ideal for B2B SaaS companies and agencies running lead-gen giveaways.
Advanced marketing automation with deep segmentation. Giveaway subscribers flow into ActiveCampaign automations where you can score leads, trigger conditional workflows, and personalize follow-up based on which entry methods they completed.
Enterprise cross-channel marketing platform used by brands like DoorDash and Priceline. Sync giveaway contacts into Iterable for orchestrated campaigns across email, SMS, push, and in-app messaging.
All-in-one marketing platform with email, landing pages, webinars, and automation. Giveaway subscribers land in GetResponse lists and can immediately enter autoresponder sequences. A solid choice for businesses that want email and landing pages in one tool.
Popular & General Purpose
The most widely used email marketing platform in the world. Giveaway subscribers are added to your Mailchimp audience and can be tagged for segmentation. If you already use Mailchimp, the integration takes seconds to set up.
Established email platform popular with small businesses and nonprofits. Giveaway entrants sync to your Constant Contact lists automatically. Strong deliverability and a user-friendly interface make it a reliable choice for organizations new to email marketing.
Professional email marketing with beautiful templates and strong analytics. Giveaway subscribers are added to Campaign Monitor lists for immediate follow-up. Popular with agencies and brands that prioritize email design.
One of the original email marketing platforms, trusted by over 100,000 businesses. Giveaway subscribers sync to AWeber lists and enter your autoresponder sequences. A dependable option for creators and small businesses with established email workflows.
Budget-Friendly & Self-Hosted
Self-hosted email marketing that sends through Amazon SES. One-time purchase, no monthly fees. Giveaway subscribers sync to your Sendy installation. The most cost-effective option for high-volume senders who want full control of their infrastructure.
Affordable email marketing with a built-in SMTP routing engine. Connects to multiple sending services (Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun) for reliable delivery at a fraction of the cost of hosted platforms. Giveaway entrants sync to Pabbly subscriber lists.
Simple, no-frills email marketing focused on ease of use. Good for small businesses and solo operators who want to send newsletters without learning a complex platform. Giveaway subscribers are added to your Mad Mimi audience automatically.
Email delivery and marketing platform with a generous free tier (6,000 emails per month). Giveaway subscribers sync to Mailjet contact lists. A strong option for startups and growing businesses that need reliable delivery without a large upfront investment.
Transactional and marketing email platform by Twilio. Used by developers and technical teams who need reliable API-driven email delivery. Giveaway subscribers are added to SendGrid marketing contacts for campaign sends.
How to Connect Your Email Platform in 4 Steps
Setting up the Subscribe to Newsletter entry method takes a few minutes. Here is the process from start to finish.
Create Your Giveaway and Add the Email Subscription Entry Method
Create a new giveaway in your SweepWidget dashboard. Set your prize, start and end dates, and any other details. Then go to the Entry Methods section and add "Subscribe to Newsletter." You can set it as required (so it gates all other actions) or optional (so it is one of several ways to earn points).
Tip: Setting it as required guarantees every participant ends up on your email list. This is the recommended configuration for list-building campaigns.
Connect Your CRM (API Key or OAuth)
In the entry method settings, select your email platform from the dropdown. Most integrations use an API key that you copy from your email platform's settings. Some (like HubSpot and Mailchimp) use OAuth, which means you just click "Connect" and authorize SweepWidget in a popup window. Either way, the connection takes under a minute.
Where to find your API key: Each email platform stores its API key in a different location (usually under Settings, Integrations, or API). SweepWidget's CRM integration setup guide includes step-by-step instructions for every supported platform.
Select Your List, Segment, or Tag
Once connected, SweepWidget pulls your available lists (or audiences, groups, segments, depending on the platform). Choose where you want giveaway subscribers to land. You can select an existing list or create a new one specifically for the giveaway. Some platforms also let you apply tags so you can identify contest-sourced subscribers later.
Best practice: Create a dedicated list or tag for giveaway subscribers (e.g., "Feb 2026 Giveaway Leads"). This lets you measure the quality of contest-sourced subscribers separately from organic signups and run targeted follow-up campaigns.
Publish and Watch Subscribers Sync Automatically
Publish your giveaway and share the link. Every time a participant completes the Subscribe to Newsletter action, their email address is pushed to your email platform in real time. Your welcome sequence fires. Your list grows. You can monitor new subscribers in both your SweepWidget dashboard and your email platform's interface.
Pro tip: Set up a welcome email in your CRM before the giveaway launches. New subscribers should receive something valuable within minutes of entering (a free resource, a discount code, or a preview of your newsletter). This builds trust immediately and sets the tone for your email relationship.
Who Uses Giveaways to Grow Their Email List?
The Subscribe to Newsletter entry method works for anyone who depends on email to reach their audience. Here are the most common use cases and the integrations that pair with each.
Newsletter Operators & Content Creators
Substack alternatives, independent newsletters, bloggers
Your subscriber count is your business metric. A giveaway gives readers a reason to subscribe today instead of "maybe later." Set Subscribe to Newsletter as the required action, add refer-a-friend for viral growth, and pair it with social follows to build your X and YouTube audiences simultaneously.
Best integrations: ConvertKit, MailerLite, SendFox, EmailOctopus, Mailchimp
E-Commerce Brands
Shopify stores, DTC brands, product-based businesses
Every email captured is a potential customer. Pair the email subscription with Shopify purchase tracking and Instagram follows to build a list of engaged shoppers. Use instant coupons to convert new subscribers into first-time buyers during the giveaway itself.
Best integrations: Klaviyo, Omnisend, Drip, ActiveCampaign, HubSpot
SaaS Companies & B2B
Software products, agencies, B2B services
Giveaways work for lead generation, not just consumer brands. Give away a year of your software, a consulting session, or a premium account upgrade. Subscribers land in your CRM as leads with full attribution. Your sales team knows exactly who came from the contest and can follow up accordingly.
Best integrations: HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, GetResponse, Iterable, Mailchimp
What the Data Says About Email List Giveaways
These numbers come from SweepWidget's analysis of 70,000+ giveaways. Each one represents an email address captured.
Giveaways with 5 or more entry methods average 787 entrants compared to 163 for single-method contests. Set email subscription as required, then add social follows, referrals, and bonus actions to reach this range. Every entrant is an email capture.
Contests lasting 8-14 days average 956 entrants. Shorter campaigns do not give referral sharing enough time to compound. Longer ones lose urgency. This window also gives your welcome sequence time to nurture new subscribers while the giveaway is still top of mind.
More than half of all giveaway entries come from mobile. SweepWidget's widget is fully responsive, and the email subscription flow works seamlessly on any device. Mobile visitors subscribe, your CRM receives the contact, and your welcome email lands in their inbox within minutes.
SweepWidget connects to 35+ email marketing platforms without Zapier or middleware. No other giveaway tool offers this many native email integrations. Whatever platform you use, there is a direct connection available on the Pro plan and above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use a giveaway to grow my email list?
Create a SweepWidget giveaway and add the Subscribe to Newsletter entry method. Connect your email marketing platform (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ConvertKit, or any of the 35+ supported CRMs). Set email subscription as a required action so every participant joins your list. Add bonus entry methods like social follows and refer-a-friend for additional points. Publish the giveaway and share it across your channels.
Which email platforms does SweepWidget integrate with?
SweepWidget integrates natively with 35+ email marketing platforms including Mailchimp, AWeber, ActiveCampaign, Constant Contact, MailerLite, ConvertKit, Campaign Monitor, GetResponse, Drip, SendGrid, Klaviyo, Sendy, EmailOctopus, Omnisend, Mailjet, Iterable, Braze, Beehiiv, Brevo, Benchmark Email, Sendlane, Ontraport, Vero, Customer.io, E-goi, Emma, Ortto, Sailthru, Campaigner, Maropost, Cordial, Vision6, Selligent, Listrak, and more. All integrations are included on the Pro plan and above with no extra cost. Full setup guide for all 35+ integrations.
Do subscribers sync to my email platform in real time?
Yes. When a participant completes the Subscribe to Newsletter action, their email is pushed to your connected platform immediately. This means your welcome email or automation sequence can fire within minutes of the entry. There is no batch processing or delay. Subscribers land in your list the moment they enter.
Can I require email subscription before other entry methods?
Yes. You can set the Subscribe to Newsletter entry method as required. When it is required, all other entry methods are locked until the participant completes the email subscription. This guarantees 100% email capture from every giveaway participant. Social follows, referral sharing, and bonus actions become rewards they unlock after subscribing.
What is the difference between basic email capture and the Subscribe to Newsletter method?
Every SweepWidget giveaway requires an email address to enter. That email is stored in your SweepWidget dashboard and can be exported as CSV. The Subscribe to Newsletter entry method goes further by pushing that email directly to your external email platform (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc.) in real time. This triggers your automated sequences immediately instead of requiring a manual export and import.
Do I need a paid SweepWidget plan for email integrations?
Yes. The Subscribe to Newsletter entry method and all 35+ CRM integrations require a Pro plan or higher. The free plan captures email addresses in your SweepWidget dashboard (exportable as CSV), but the real-time CRM sync is a Pro feature. The Pro plan also unlocks refer-a-friend viral sharing, platform-specific entry methods, and up to 40 actions per contest.
How many email subscribers can I capture per giveaway?
There is no subscriber limit on any SweepWidget plan. The number of emails you capture depends on your prize value, promotion strategy, and number of entry methods. Based on SweepWidget data, giveaways with 5+ entry methods running 8-14 days average 787-956 entrants. High-value prizes with strong promotion can capture thousands of subscribers in a single campaign.
Can I use a giveaway to grow my newsletter if I use Substack?
Substack does not have a direct API integration, but you can still use SweepWidget to capture emails for your newsletter. Export your giveaway subscribers as CSV and import them into Substack. Alternatively, if you use ConvertKit, MailerLite, or another supported platform alongside Substack, the real-time sync works automatically. Many newsletter operators use a dedicated email platform for their welcome sequence and then migrate engaged subscribers to Substack.
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