From gift cards and cash to cell phones and hotel stays, pro sweepers have learned the trick of winning sweepstakes regularly. If you’re new to sweepstakes, here’s what you need to know.
Sweepstakes – what is it?
Sweepstakes is simply a drawing of entries for a prize at random. Sweepstakes are a billion-dollar marketing strategy used by thousands of businesses annually. They are either funded or paid for by companies wanting to sell their goods or services. Remember sweepstakes is not real if it involves an admission fee or raffle ticket purchase.
Where to find sweepstakes?
Though it may seem difficult to find great sweepstakes these days, there are some excellent resources for locating all of the right ones in one location. There are several reliable sites online with different formats that allow you to sort sweepstakes by prizes and ending time. Magazines, online newsletters, grocery stores, and local radio stations are other places where you can look for sweepstakes.
How to get started?
Although all you really need to get started is a computer, an internet connection, and some spare time, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Get a new email account for your sweepstakes entries first. Although the odds of receiving spam aren't that high (assuming you're just joining genuine sweepstakes), some of the best sweepstakes need you to sign up for sponsor newsletters. You don't want that to clog up your inbox at work or your personal email account. Also, make sure you've set up a physical email address for your entries. Since they want to ensure that "one prize per household" rules are followed, certain prize delivery companies do not ship to P.O. boxes.
How long before you win something?
As a general rule, it may take at least a couple of months to really see the results. However, if you’re not entering sweepstakes all that often, or give up after a month or two, you may not win anything. The key is to participate actively (every day, if possible) to increase your chances of winning.
