Last Sunday our contest club held our monthly meeting. At one point we discussed cheating. I stated the best way to stop some cheating (voting contests are a whole ‘nother ball of wax) was to request a copy of the potential winner’s I.D. along with the signed release form. And wouldn’t you know it, the next day David forwards me the following email: (more…)
On April 12th 2013 AllFacebook (The Unofficial Facebook Blog) posted an article written by Mario Zelaya (@zelaya), CEO of Majestic Media: The Dangers of Facebook Sweepstakes and Contests. I shared the link on my Contest Queen Facebook Fan Page and what a commotion it caused.
Everyone was afraid that their program would catch up the honest entrant along with the cheaters, similar to dolphins getting caught in a fisherman’s tuna net. I contacted Mario and he granted me an interview. (more…)
Matthew left the following comment on How to Enter 100 Contests in an Hour blog post:
Definitely read the rules as this RBC contest https://mortgage.rbc.com/giveaway/index.asp , prohibits the use of Form filling software, and specifies manual keystrokes.
“8. Online entries must be made by the original, manual keystrokes of the individual entrant. Use of mechanical assistance, form filling software or robotic assistance is prohibited. Online entries generated by script, macro, robotic, programming, or any other automated means are prohibited and will be disqualified.”
I have read those types of clauses in many sets of rules for many years. As I track my wins, who I won from and how I entered, I know for a fact I have won contests using RoboForm with a similar clause. I also know that to add a component to a contest that tracks keystrokes or a timer on a webpage is an additional cost to running a contest. Many companies have tight budgets so adding on a component like that is just not done. What they do is add the clause in the rules hoping to scare entrants. If you ask they lawyers who write the rules, they do not know for a fact if the company has in fact tracked the entrants as it states in the clause. I think I will make this a blog post and see if others have won like I have and from where.
It has come to my attention there are two sweepstakes sites out there that need a little love. One is a sweepstakes aggregate site; The Sweepstakes Wire and the other is a sweepstakes blog; Sweepstakes Bug.
I am wondering if it is a bit of a chicken and egg scenario. Do they have very few followers because they are not posting as frequently as they should, or are they not posting regularly due to their current low following. (more…)
Early last month I requested your sweeping adventures for the latest edition of You Can’t Win If You Don’t Enter. I am also revamping the chapter on Contest Management Companies and Judging Agencies. I will be speaking to the owners, presidents and managers of some of North America’s biggest sweepstakes firms.
So, what do you want to know? What questions have you always wanted answers to? What part of the sweepstakes creation and management process have you wondered about?
Now’s your chance to find out. Please send your questions directly to me.
Carolyn Wilman (aka @ContestQueen) is the author of You Can’t Win If You Don’t Enter. She teaches others how to find, organize, enter and win contests, sweepstakes and giveaways. To-date others have won over $1,000,000 using her Online Contesting System. With over twenty years experience as a Marketing Consultant, Carolyn also helps companies create, and viral market, winning promotions.
