Here is a list of some tips/pointers that will help get you started or make you a more efficient sweeper.
Create a separate email and check it regularly
You want to do this as you will get junk email. You do want to check your email daily, as many sweeps require you to respond within a certain amount of time if you are notified you won. Don’t forget to check your spam.
Read the Rules
This is very important…read them and then read them again. Make sure you maximize your entries based on what it says. It may say you can enter once, or once per household. Sometimes it is multiple times per day or you can enter one time three different ways per day (Ex. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Some states like NY or FL have stricter sweepstakes laws and therefore people who live in those states are ineligible for some sweeps. This will all be noted in the rules.
Keep Track of your wins
Here is a spreadsheet that you can use to keep track of them.
Judged vs Random
Some sweepers avoid photo or video contests because they are afraid of them or do not want the work to enter. Many times they are judged, but you need to read the rules as they may be random and well worth making the effort to enter as many will skip it.
Don’t make it obvious you are a sweeper…
Sponsors like the every day person to win a sweep, not the person who enter 1000 sweeps a day. Make sure your social medial profiles are not filled with sweeps. Your profile should not say you work at sweeping, or you like to enter sweeps. While for many sweeps it will not hurt you, it definitely will not help you. This also goes for your email address…it should not be Lovestowinsweeps@gmail.com …make it plain and simple and easy to read when wrote out on an entry form or mail in entry.
The more I enter, the more I win right?
Logically this is correct. We try and take it a step further and enter sweeps that have better odds. Most of us do not have unlimited time, so we try to use our time efficient to maximize our chances of winning.
Keep an eye out for sweeps...
If you stop at the gas station or the grocery, check out the beer area and the soda section, maybe even scope out the chips. All three of these areas have sweeps posted regularly. Many times these are just for the local area, increasing your odds. Take a photo of the sign or rules so you can look it up later on when you get home.
Local Sports Teams
College or Pro sports teams always have sweeps. I like to check right before the season as many times if you can be one of the first to enter, it may give you an advantage if there are winners picked over the course of the season.
TV Stations/Radio Stations
Bookmark these, check them once a week. Anytime a sweep is open to a limited audience it lowers the amount of total entries. These can be some of the best sweeps to enter.
I won and they are asking for my social security number
When you win a major prize, usually over $600 in value it is very normally to have to fill out tax forms that will include your social security number. For specific tax questions, please contact a tax advisor.
I won and I have to have paperwork notarized
This also is very common to verify you are who you say you are and giving the sponsor the correct information to send your prize. This is also often the case when dealing with a tobacco or alcohol company to verify your age for eligibility.
I won a trip and I can’t go…
Can I get a cash option instead? Typically no, sometimes rules will offer a cash option. I only recommend entering for trips that you can go on, unless they have a specific cash option listed in the rules. Many trips are for events that you have to leave on specific days/times. Be aware of what you are entering for so you do not have to turn down the prize.
Where is my prize?
I won and it has been weeks, maybe months and I have not seen my prize. What do I do? Look back at the rules, many times it will give an estimate of when to expect your prize. Sometimes you may win early on in a sweep that is lasting months and all the prizes are not mailed out to after it is over. A simple, nice email asking for a timeframe can usually give you an idea. Just know it is very common to have to wait 6-10 weeks for prizes.
Thank you notes
Thank the sponsor, thank the promotional companies. A small letter can go a long way. When you are on a trip, being understanding and just nice can get you so much more than letting a minor detail derail your experience. Most of your hosts have access to things that you will never have the opportunity to experience. I have had many extras thrown on various trips. In the same aspect, I have had prizes or pieces of the trip that were forgotten or missed. It happens, just be careful how you address it if you choose to do so, many times I let it go.