# Giveaway

**Video tutorial related to this page:** [Host a Giveaway on Your Server with John-Bot - Tutorial #8](https://jnbt.xyz/tutorials/giveaways)

## :rocket: Introduction

A giveaway is the perfect way to reward your members by putting a prize up for grabs and letting a random draw decide the winner. Participants can enter with just one click, and the drawing happens automatically at the scheduled time.

There are two ways to create a giveaway: one is quick but less customizable, while the other offers full customization but takes a bit more time. Compare both and pick the one that suits your needs. Also learn how members can interact with a giveaway to enter, and discover the commands for managing your giveaways.

## :zap: Quick and Simple Method

If you want to launch a giveaway quickly and efficiently, go with this method.

First, head to the server where you want to launch the giveaway. Make sure you have administrator permissions. Then, type the command `/giveaway create`. You'll have access to several options:

* **Duration:** Set how long the giveaway will last before the automatic drawing and results announcement. Enter a number followed by a unit (`s` for seconds, `min` for minutes, `h` for hours, `d` for days).
* **Number of winners:** Set how many winners will be drawn. Simply enter a whole number greater than 0.
* **Prize:** Enter the name of the prize you want to put up for grabs. The field is freeform — it can be physical, virtual, or anything else.
* **Channel (optional):** Choose the channel where the giveaway will be posted, if different from the one you're typing in. If left blank, the giveaway will launch in the current channel.

![Example configuration with /giveaway create](https://1037626089-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmAVmyrgTKWfHLmRDMeWs%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9f666a7092484c09c756c75fe32aaf62504ebb85%2Fgiveaway_command_create.png?alt=media)

## :tools: Full Customization Method

If you want to create a detailed and polished giveaway with custom visuals, use this method.

### Accessing the Dashboard

First, go to the John-Bot dashboard using your preferred method. Learn how: [How to access the dashboard](https://help.johnbot.app/en/getting-started/guide#pushpin-access-the-dashboard)

### Accessing Settings

Next, look for `Giveaways` in the right-hand column, under your server's logo and banner. You'll see a page listing all your server's giveaways, whether ongoing or finished.

### Creating and Configuring

Here's how to configure each setting for your giveaway:

#### Name

Choose a name to identify your giveaway. It will appear in the title of the sent message as well as on the dashboard so you can spot it among others.

#### Sending Channel

Choose the channel where the giveaway will be posted and visible to members. Once sent, the channel cannot be changed.

#### Prize

Enter the name of the prize you want to put up for grabs. The field is freeform — it can be physical, virtual, or anything else. Prize distribution is not automated; you'll need to handle it manually.

#### End Date

Set the exact date and time of the drawing. On this date, a message will automatically be posted in reply to the original giveaway message to announce the winner(s).

#### Number of Winners

Set how many members can be declared winners of the prize.

#### Maximum Number of Participants :gem:

Optionally limit the number of members who can enter the drawing.

#### Participant List Display

You can disable the participant list button by unchecking the associated box.

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn how this button works in the [direct interaction with the giveaway](#direct-interaction-with-the-giveaway) section.
{% endhint %}

#### Allowed & Ignored Roles

Use these two fields to restrict the giveaway to certain roles or block certain roles from entering. Select the desired roles from the corresponding dropdown.

#### Embed

The `embed` section lets you format the message that will be sent and displayed to members. Customize it to your liking with the many options available.

#### Button :gem:

The `button` section lets you customize the participation button attached to the giveaway message. You can change its color, text, and emoji.

### Finalize and Send

Once everything is set, double-check your configuration and click the green `Create & Send` button at the top left. Your giveaway will go live in the specified channel with all your customizations. Consider writing an announcement message if the giveaway is tied to a special event.

## :gear: How Giveaways Work

### Giveaway Information

The embed message contains key information about the giveaway. Here's what each field means:

* **Name / Title:** Found in the embed title (bold text at the top).
* **End Date and Time:** Shows the remaining time and the exact end date/time. The field is labeled `Ends:` below the title. It changes to `Ended` once the giveaway is over.
* **Giveaway Author:** Shows who launched the giveaway, identified by their Discord account in the `Launched by:` field.
* **Number of Participants:** Shows how many members have entered, in the `Participants:` field.
* **Number of Winners / Winner(s):** Shows how many winners will be drawn, in the `Winners:` field. After the drawing, this field displays the winner(s) by mention.

### Direct Interaction with the Giveaway

#### Participation Button

Enter the drawing by clicking the customizable button located below the giveaway embed, to the left of the `Participants` button.

#### Participants Button

View the list of everyone who has entered by clicking the `Participants` button located below the giveaway embed, to the right of the participation button.

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn how to configure this button in the [create and configure](#creating-and-configuring) section.
{% endhint %}

![Example of a typical giveaway message](https://1037626089-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmAVmyrgTKWfHLmRDMeWs%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-75110b8c655ae41136ee339e594a6df9b7b539b8%2Fgiveaway_example.png?alt=media)

### Commands

| Command          | Description                        |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| /giveaway create | Launches a giveaway.               |
| /giveaway delete | Deletes a giveaway.                |
| /giveaway end    | Ends a giveaway early.             |
| /giveaway list   | Shows all giveaways on the server. |
| /giveaway reroll | Picks new winners for a giveaway.  |