In today’s digital landscape, influencer gifting campaigns have become one of the most efficient ways for e-commerce brands to generate authentic content, boost visibility, and foster meaningful relationships with creators. Done right, these campaigns turn free samples into high-impact marketing assets that influence purchase decisions.

This guide walks you through how to launch a successful influencer gifting campaign—equipping you with actionable steps, key platform insights, and real campaign examples from Referwo to help you win in 2025.

What Is an Influencer Gifting Campaign?

An influencer gifting campaign involves sending products to influencers in exchange for promotional content—typically without upfront payment. Instead of paying fees, brands offer value through their product, creating a win-win collaboration.

For a deeper dive into how influencer marketing drives ROI, read From Influence to Income: The Ultimate Guide to Launching a High-Impact Influencer Affiliate Program​ 

Step 1: Define Your Campaign Goals

Start by clarifying what success looks like. Common gifting campaign goals include:

• Building brand awareness
  
• Generating high-quality UGC (user-generated content)
  
• Driving website traffic or email signups
  
• Seeding products for review and exposure
  

These objectives will determine what type of influencers you choose and how you measure performance.

For more guidance on integrating influencer efforts into broader digital strategies, check out How to Utilise Influencer Marketing to Grow Your E-Commerce Brand in 2025

Step 2: Find the Right Influencers

Success starts with strong partnerships. Focus on nano (1K–10K followers) and micro-influencers (10K–50K) who:

• Align with your niche
  
• Have high engagement rates
  
• Are already creating quality content
  
• Reside in your target market (e.g., Australia, NZ, U.S.)
• Have a proven history of driving sales for other brands
  

When using platforms like Referwo, you can go beyond surface-level metrics. Brands can filter and select influencers based on past sales performance, allowing you to make data-driven decisions that lead to measurable ROI. You can also view reviews from other brands, check content quality, and explore influencer Dealshub performance for extra social proof.

For more tips on choosing the best influencer tier, check out Understanding Influencer Tiers: Choosing the Right Influencer for Your Campaign in 2025

Step 3: Offer a Valuable Gift

Make sure the product you’re sending:

• Has a minimum perceived value of $80–$100
  
• Is relevant to the influencer’s audience
  
• Is well-packaged and includes a brand insert or thank-you card
  

When the gift feels premium, the content will too.

Brands on Referwo can upload these products directly through their dashboard, streamlining the sample distribution process.

Step 4: Write a Clear Campaign Brief

Set expectations with a well-written brief that covers:

• The goal of the campaign
  
• What influencers are expected to post (e.g., 1 reel, 1 story)
  
• Key hashtags, handles, and deadlines
  
• Content rights for reuse (if applicable)
  

Need help crafting one? Check out our free influencer campaign brief templates included in this guide​

Step 5: Let Influencers Come to You

Instead of spending hours outreaching, use platforms like Referwo where:

• You post a campaign
  
• Vetted influencers apply
  
• You approve only those who match your brand
  

This saves time and ensures you’re only working with creators who genuinely want your product.

To better understand how influencer outreach can be simplified, read Why Referwo is Australia’s Leading Influencer Marketing Platform for eCommerce Brands

Step 6: Dispatch Gifts & Track Status

Once approved, quickly ship your gifts and track delivery. Referwo provides built-in tracking tools to:

• Allow influencers to place the order for their free sample automatically (saving you the hassle of needing to get their address and create the order for them)
  
• Keep communications organised
  
• Track content delivery milestones
  

  Step 7: Collect and Repurpose the Content

  Once influencers post:

  • Save the UGC for repurposing
    
  • Reshare on your social channels and website
    
  • Consider using top-performing visuals in ads or emails
    

  For tips on repurposing UGC and boosting conversions, visit Mastering Social Media Strategies: Unlock Brand Growth and Engagement with Referwo

  Step 8: Track Results and Measure ROI

  Even gifting campaigns need proper tracking. Use:

  • Influencer dashboards to track who posted and when
    
  • Unique discount codes or links to track conversions
    
  • Content performance metrics (likes, comments, shares)
    

  Referwo offers detailed campaign analytics, even on gifted activations, helping brands tie results back to spend—even when that spend is product, not cash.

  Bonus: Get Featured on Influencers’ Dealshub

  Referwo also allows your brand to be featured on influencers’ Dealshub—a curated space where creators showcase their favourite discount codes and brand partners.

  This provides evergreen visibility beyond a single campaign, encouraging long-term conversions.

  To understand how platforms can drive both visibility and revenue, compare your options in Referwo vs Traackr: The Ultimate Influencer Marketing Platform Comparison​website content and data.

  Final Thoughts

  Influencer gifting campaigns are more than free product giveaways—they’re a strategic way to generate buzz, build social proof, and create lasting relationships with content creators.

  With Referwo, you can:

  • Launch campaigns with clear briefs
    
  • Let influencers apply to you
    
  • Track deliveries and content submissions
    
  • Measure engagement and ROI
    
  • Extend campaign life through Dealshub listings

  👉 Ready to turn your product into powerful content? Start your free campaign on Referwo today.