While online sweepstakes have become increasingly popular, mail-in sweepstakes are still a good idea. Although you may have to shell out a small amount of money for stamps, mail-in sweeps don’t receive as many entries, which increases your odds of winning significantly. Here are some dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind when entering mail-in sweepstakes.
Don’t submit mechanically reproduced entries
Never make the mistake of filling out one entry and then photocopying it multiple times and submitting them separately to boost your chances of winning. If you do this, the sweepstakes sponsor will likely disqualify you. When the rules of the sweepstakes specify that the entry needs to be hand-written, make sure to write it out yourself.
Do fill out the details on the envelope correctly
Some sweepstakes require you to either write or print your return address, date, your city or state, or some other information on the envelope. Keep in mind that national sweepstakes are sometimes grouped by region or state, so they need entrants to mention certain details clearly on the envelope. Given this, make sure to read the rules of the sweepstakes and enter the necessary details on the envelope correctly.
Do write legibly
Avoid writing in cursive if possible. Make sure to write as neatly and legibly as you can and ensure that everything is spelled correctly.
Don’t write anything unnecessary on the envelope
Make sure to not add anything “cute” and unnecessary like “Pick my entry” on the envelope, hoping it will help your entry get picked. While you can decorate your envelope subtly (provided the rules allow it), avoid adding anything that may cause your entry to get disqualified by the sponsor.
Do seal your envelope
Many participants submit their entries in a hurry due to which they forget to seal their envelopes. This results in the sponsor receiving an empty envelope. You can avoid making this mistake by putting a piece of tape on the back of the envelope.
