When I am not blogging I like to enter sweepstakes. I have been very lucky over the years and won a lot of nice things. These wins include trips, computers, giftcards, cash and more. People ask me all the time how I am so lucky. I decided to share some tips with you to maybe increase your chances of winning.
1: First and foremost: enter !
I don't know how many people say to me, "you are so lucky I never win anything". When I ask if they enter contests they say no. You can't win if you don't enter. The number of contests I win vary greatly with the number I enter. You can end up investing a lot of time in the hobby. I know people who spend hours a day entering.
2: Download a program to fill out forms.
I would suggest Roboform. You will be amazed at how quick this type of program makes entering. I learned about it the hard way, after months of typing my name and address over and over.
A lot of people enter contests only to find out later they have been scammed. Never send money or give bank info to "collect" a win. Avoid all the boxes in the malls and restaurants that mention in tiny letters somewhere that they are run by timeshares. These people will call you pretending that you have a chance of winning a big prize and instead get you in to try to sell you an apartment. If you get an email saying you have won a big prize and you don't remember entering a contest proceed with caution. Avoid the pop ups on site claiming you are a winner, most often these are scams.
Make sure you have read and understand the rules. Only enter the correct amount of times. Make sure you are the right age to enter. Check to make sure your state can legally enter. Nothing would be worse then to find out your a potential winner of a big prize but because you didn't read the rules you do not qualify.
There are many contest sites all over the internet. These sites are the best places to get the scoop on the newest contests. I have a couple I use a lot. My new favorite one is
Sweepstakes Mama.
You will find the newest sweeps and so much more there. I try to stay away from vote contests. In most the winner is determined by the number of votes only. There are so many cheats and vote buyers that it is not worth the time. Yes there really are sites set up to buy votes, Google it.
People who enter sweepstakes seriously have folders, lots of folders :) Keep a folder for your daily and monthly entries. Keep one for your confirmations. And very important make one for your wins. Place your winning emails and Captures of instant win games there.
Are you really good at writing? Love to cook? Have an eye for Photography? Look for contests that you can show off your skills in. These types of contests most often have lower entries, this may be your time to shine.
A lot of people find most of their wins come from local contests. Check out your local TV and radio stations and see what contests they have to offer. Slip your name in contest boxes at local stores, (Minus the timeshare ones of course).
Entering and winning can be lots of fun but don't let it take over your life. If you find yourself stressed because you are not winning or letting life slip you by because your to busy entering contests, it's time to rethink the hobby. Some of the most mean spirited people I have ever seen enter sweepstakes. They have let their need to win get in their way of common courtesy.
Winning is great. There are a few things you should know if you win. If it is a big prize you will have to send in your tax info. You do have to pay taxes on wins and anything over $1000 the company is required to send a 1099. As stated before make sure you save a copy of your win. Make sure all paper work is in on time and properly filled out.
I have found a great site to use to know when my wins will arrive. You can really use it for all packages coming UPS. The program is called UPS My Choice. With this you get alerts before packages arrive. You may also electronically authorize packages for drop off or even re-route to other locations. I have stopped many of packages from being dropped in the snow with this.
As I said before, make sweepstaking a fun hobby. Go into it not expecting to win, then every time you do it is new and exciting. Good Luck.
Although this post contains sponsored content, all feeling and opinions are my own.
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