How to enter and win sweepstakes.

I have been entering sweepstakes online, and offline for over 10 years. It is my favorite 'hobby' and one that has not only been fun, but also full of surprises and wonderful wins. Here I am sharing with you my knowledge, through my experience, in entering and winning sweepstakes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Time
• Computer
• Pen and paper
• Postage and Envelopes
• Various other office supplies

1. How much you win has to do with how much time you choose to put into entering sweepstakes. The more you enter, the higher the odds.
   There are many kind of sweepstakes that you can enter: through the mail, drop ins, radio and tv, online. Some involve skill, some involve referrals, some involve postage, etc.
   Before you start, think about what you are willing to put into being a sweeper and what you want to get out of it. Also know, that sweeping is a 'game of chance.' with no guarantees ... but that someone has to win, and it might as well be you :)
   The most important thing about every sweepstakes is to read and follow the rules. If you do not, often times your entry will not count. Read the fine print. See if shipping is included, see how many entries are allowed, see if there are age restriction, geographical restrictions, etc. This is absolutely the most important thing when entering any sweeps.
2. Mail in Sweeps
   These are sweeps that you send in the mail. You will often see entry forms in the drug store, grocery store, in the back of cereal boxes, etc. Look everywhere. You can find them in many places. Type in your search box under SNAIL SWEEPSTAKES and you will find many online sites, as well as newsletters that will tell you what snail sweeps are out there. You can find these for free. But there are also some great newsletters that cost $ but are well worth it because they are clear to read, updated, are written by knowledgeable writers, etc. The best one that I recommend is
   http://www.sweepsheet.com/
   You will need envelopes, blank and lined paper, post cards, lined and plain index cards, pens, pencils and possibly other supplies depending on the rules. Be very careful. Mail Ins can be very tricky. Some will ask for certain colored ink, lined or plain cards, even different size envelopes. You can buy almost all of your supplies at any place that sells office supplies but if you want to buy online, I highly recommend:
   http://sweepstakesupplies.com/kc/index.php
   There are many other places to get them online as well.
   PROS-with postage so high, many people do not enter these any longer so your odds are much higher with these sweeps than with other sweeps.
   CONS-High Postage, possibly some tricky rules, additional expenses of office supplies.
3. Drop Ins
   You see these all of the time at many stores. Always have a pen handy. Fill in the form, drop in the box. Make sure you read the rules here as well as many will say one entry only. Many restaurants or other retail places, will have a place where you can drop in your business card. If you have a home business, make sure you get cards made up-you can make your own or have them made. Vista Prints does a great job, for next to nothing. Make sure your cards have your name address and phone on them as there must be a way to contact you, should you win.
   PROS- Free
   CONS-Lots of people tend to enter these, so the odds are just fair ... but always remember, someone has to win...
4. Radio and TV
   Always have a pen and paper handy. The radio and TV announcers talk fast...so write as fast as you can. I always DVR (or Tivo) my shows, so I can always here it or see it again if on TV.
   Radio sweeps require speed and luck. Have your favorite radio stations on your speed dial on your phones so all you have to do is click one # not 7 or more. Radio sweeps are the best way to win concert tickets...and most of the time, there are many chances to win throughout the day. TIP-get on the e-mail mailing list of local radio stations and you will be kept posted as to what contests are going on or will be coming up.
   PROS-TV Sweeps-most people don't pay attention to these...especially if they are on local stations, so good odds.
   PROS-Radio-Local sweeps means only locals enter..so good odds
   CONS-TV-most are through the mail so will cost $ for postage and supplies
   CONS-RADIO-can be very time consuming...BUT SO Worth it. I know many people in my area who got tickets to concerts or other events, that they wanted to see...and were sold out and would never have been able to see had they not won.
5. ONLINE
   This is what I do the most. I have won TONS of t-shirts, DVD's Books, Bags, Gift Certificates, Tickets, Food Etc. Some examples of what I've won: Pair Of Red Sox Tickets, 10 Tickets to Kelly Clarkson, Tickets to the All Star Game at Fenway, $1000 Gift Card to JC Penney, Amazing Fruit Baskets, $500 Gift Card to A Football Store, A Snow Board, ...just to name just a few.
   I admit to spending several hours a day entering but it is worth it.
   There are many sweeps: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, 24 Hour, Instant,etc. Do a search under "sweepstakes" to find websites, newsletters and forums. My 2 favorites are:
   http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/
   http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/new.php
   Both of these sites have forums that will help you with any questions that you might have.
   Many of these sweeps have trivia questions. The sites or forums many help you with the answers, and on most of them, the site will have the answers themselves. If you cannot find the answer, a simple search on Google will work.
   Some also have age restrictions, location restrictions, etc...so you must read the rules on these as you would with any other sweep. As with all sweeps, if there are restrictions and you can enter-your odds are better because not everyone can enter.
   PROS-FREE
   CONS-SO Many of them..it can be tough to keep track of. I have focused on Online Sweeps only, and go 'right down the line". Every day I do most of the 'dailies." One day a week (you should pick the same day ever week so you don't repeat them...I always do them on Sundays), you should do your weeklies. Once a month do your monthlies. Each day, do you that day's One Time Onlies,etc. After doing it for a while you will get a system that you are comfortable with. On each site, there is tons of advice for keeping track of your sweeps...do what you like to do.

Tips & Warnings

• Run a virus scan as often as you can when doing online sweeps as you are going on many different sites and need to stay safe.
• get ROBOFORM...a free 'form filler' that will make things SO easy for you with online sweeps. But always check after it has filled out form to make sure all has been filled in. I chose not to put any banks, ss #'s etc with Roboform but this is totally up to you. Here is site: http://www.roboform.com/
• For mail in sweeps-always check for sales on envelopes, paper, etc. And buy plenty of it. Always have plenty of stamps on hand as well.
• Get on a few forums or newsletters to keep up with things, get advice, share in win and on occasion, find people who may want to share referrals with you should you need one
• Place a folder on your computer. Many wins will "just show up" at your door step but many will not. If you get notice that you have won, place in file until prize arrives.
• Do not enter sweepstakes from ANY company that asks for $ or personal banking info, social security # etc...unless you win. You may have to sign an affidavit from a company if you win, but before you give out any info, check with the rules first. And if you still have any doubts, ask at one of your forums. Better safe than sorry.
• Get a blog. Many sweeps are now from individual blogs and if you have one, it makes it easy for you. I have one that I did in no time from Google.
• Have fun and don't get overwhelmed. Enter for what you want and do what you can do. My dad enters on occasion and won a wonderful digital camera. See this has a fun hobby with the possibility of winning some wonderful things.
• I stated these before...but it bares repeating.
• Read the Rules
• Keep your virus scan updated
• Be very careful about giving information out to any company that you do not know about (ie-SS#, bank account, credit card...etc)...when it doubt, ask.
• When doing mail in sweeps...be careful you do not spend too much $.
• Keep good records of everything. You can find free record keeping tools on most computers or you can even do it by hand. You do not want to do a enter a sweepstakes more times than is allowed. HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH THIS FUN HOBBY- IT CAN BE ADDICTING. BUT ALSO BE PATIENT IF YOU WON SOMETHING, THERE MAY BE A TURN AROUND TIME OF WEEKS OR EVEN A FEW MONTHS...AGAIN, READ THE RULES...IN IT WILL OFTEN BE WHEN PRIZE WILL BE DELIVERED.