Configure Draw Experience
Draw experiences (also called lotteries) use random selection to fairly allocate limited products. All eligible consumers enter during an entry window, and winners are randomly selected at a specified time. This is ideal when you want to give everyone an equal chance regardless of when they enter.
When to Use Draws
Draws are best for:
- Fair allocation - Equal chance for all participants
- High-demand launches - When demand far exceeds supply
- Giveaways - Free product distributions
- Exclusive access - VIP opportunities for loyal customers
- Avoiding queues - No advantage to being first
Creating a Draw Experience
- Navigate to Experiences > Create Experience
- Select Draw from the experience type options
- Complete the draw configuration form
Caption: The draw creation form with all configuration options
Draw-Specific Settings
Entry Period Tips
Configure when consumers can enter the draw:
Caption: Set when consumers can enter the draw
| Field | API field | Required | Description |
|---|
| Open At | openAt | No | When consumers can start entering. |
| Close At | closeAt | No | When entries stop. |
| Draw At | drawAt | Yes | When winners are selected. |
| Time Zone | timeZone | Yes | Time zone for scheduled fields. |
Allow at least 24-48 hours between entry close and draw time to build anticipation and give latecomers a chance to hear about the draw.
Draw Configuration
Caption: Configure how winners are selected
| Field | API field | Required | Description |
|---|
| Winner Count | winnerCount | Yes | How many winners to select. |
| Entry Capacity | capacity | No | Maximum draw entries. |
| Admission Window | admissionExpirationSeconds | No | How long selected winners have to continue. |
| Continue Selecting | continueSelectingUntilCompleted | No | Continue replacement selection until the configured winner count completes, when supported for the launch. |
| Loyalty-Biased Selection | loyaltyBiasEnabled | No | Optionally gives loyal or engaged entrants improved opportunity. Off by default. |
Loyalty-Biased Selection
Use loyalty-biased selection when loyalty or engagement should influence opportunity for a specific draw experience. This setting is optional and off by default.
When enabled:
- Selection remains non-guaranteed.
- Customer copy should not promise a fixed chance or guaranteed outcome.
- Promotion terms should be reviewed for legal and fairness requirements before launch.
Product Allocation
For consumer-selected products, winners choose from the available products or variants configured for the experience. For system-assigned products, configure product allocation weights so Fanfare can assign from the product pool; higher weights make a product more likely to be assigned relative to the other products in that pool.
Winner Handling
Selection Process
When the draw time arrives:
- Entries close according to the configured timing.
- Winners are selected according to the configured
winnerCount.
- Selected consumers see the appropriate next step in their journey state.
- Non-selected consumers see outcome messaging.
Caption: View draw results after selection
Notifications
Entrant Notifications
| Event | Notification |
|---|
| Entry Confirmed | You’re entered in the draw |
| Entry Reminder | Draw happening soon |
| You Won | Congratulations + next steps |
| You Didn’t Win | Better luck next time |
Non-Winner Options
Configure what non-winners see:
| Option | Description |
|---|
| Waitlist | Option to join waitlist for forfeits |
| Related Products | Show similar available products |
| Next Draw | Info about upcoming draws |
Draw Timing
upcoming → active → ended
↓
killed
| State | Description |
|---|
| upcoming | The draw is scheduled but entries have not opened |
| active | Entries are open |
| ended | Entries have closed and winner confirmation can proceed |
| killed | The draw was manually stopped |
Example: Product Launch Draw
Scenario
- Product: Limited edition sneakers
- Inventory: 200 pairs
- Expected entries: 10,000+
Configuration
Name: "Jordan Retro Launch Draw"
Product: Jordan Retro 2024
Audience: Loyalty Members
Entry Period:
Open At: Monday 9 AM
Close At: Wednesday 9 PM
Draw At: Thursday 12 PM
Draw Settings:
Winner Count: 200
Entry Capacity: 10000
Continue Selecting: Enabled
Per-Winner:
Purchase Required: Yes
Admission Window: 48 hours
Notifications:
- Entry confirmed
- Draw reminder (1 hour before)
- Win/loss results
- Confirmation reminders
Best Practices
Entry Period
- Give adequate time - At least 48 hours for entry
- Promote early - Announce before entries open
- Clear deadlines - Make entry close time obvious
- Multiple reminders - Send reminders before close
Fair Selection
- Choose the right selection mode - Use standard random selection when every entrant should have the same opportunity, and loyalty-biased selection only when loyalty should be part of the promotion
- Document your terms - Be transparent about eligibility and customer-facing rules
- Exclude duplicates - Verify one entry per person
- Audit trail - Keep records of selection process
Winner Management
- Reasonable confirmation window - 24-48 hours minimum
- Clear next steps - Explain what winners need to do
- Multiple contact attempts - Don’t forfeit too quickly
- Backup winner process - Have alternates ready
Common Configurations
| Use Case | Winners | Entry Period | Admission Window |
|---|
| Small giveaway | 10 | 1 week | 48 hours |
| Product launch | 100-500 | 2-3 days | 24 hours |
| VIP access | 50 | 1 week | 72 hours |
| Large raffle | 1,000+ | 2 weeks | 48 hours |
Handling Issues
Low Entry Count
If entries are below expectations:
- Extend entry period
- Increase promotion
- Lower any entry requirements
- Partner for cross-promotion
Duplicate Entries
If you detect duplicate entries:
- Review entry patterns
- Identify linked accounts
- Remove duplicates before draw
- Consider stricter verification
Winner Disputes
If a winner disputes results:
- Provide selection documentation
- Show their entry confirmation
- Verify their eligibility
- Escalate to support if needed
Low Completion
If many selected winners do not continue:
- Review the admission window
- Send additional reminders
- Verify notification delivery
- Consider enabling continued selection for future draws
Compliance Considerations
Sweepstakes Rules
For promotional draws:
- Check local gambling/sweepstakes laws
- Provide official rules
- Consider “no purchase necessary” options
- Document winner selection
Data Handling
- Only collect necessary information
- Secure entry data
- Delete after required retention
- Handle winner info appropriately
