If you were new to the hobby of entering sweepstakes and contests, you may have begun by going my website to learn how to become a winner. Most likely, the first thing you would click on is the banner that says 10 Easy Steps To Begin Winning.
My #1 tip is: ALWAYS READ THE RULES.
It is my #1 tip because it is the thing people do the least. If you do not follow the rules, and you are selected as the potential winner, you will automatically be disqualified.
I decided to write about this topic today because yesterday I posted a blog contest. A very simple contest, with only two written rules:
- Leave a 2-part comment on my blog,
- before 11:59pm on Friday October 23rd.
As I was approving the comments this morning (a feature I enable to prevent spam), I noticed many entries did not follow the rules. They stated why they wanted to attend my seminar, but failed to post which prize they wanted. This concerned me, because if you are entering my simple blog contest and not following such easy rules, how may prizes are you missing out on, because you failed to read the rules and follow them?!
I get asked all the time, “How can I win more prizes?” Make sure you are in the game!
When you come to an entry page, even if you got the link from a website that gave you a brief outline of the rules, read the rules. (Occasionally, I have found an error and would had been disqualified had I followed the entry instructions posted on the online sweepstakes website, group or forum.) Ensure you are qualified to enter; meet the age requirements, the geographical area of eligibility, etc. Then ensure you follow all the entry instructions; essay required? photo? quiz? etc. Keep reading until you are sure you understand exactly what you need to do to win. Then enter, following those rules you just read, and GOOD LUCK!
Now I want to tell you about what can happen if you don’t read the rules properly.
Several years ago I got a call from The Toronto Sun. I had entered their Steelback Grand Prix contest. I had won two Weekend Silver Grandstand Passes. WOO HOO! However, I only skimmed the rules. Somehow I missed the part about sumo wrestling!! Yes, sumo wrestling.
As I lamented on whether I should claim the prize or not, my husband said to me, “You know, I read in a book somewhere that you should always read the rules.” I said, “I know. I read the same book!“ So, I sucked it up, claimed the prize and wrestled. (SPOILER ALERT: I got squashed!) Scroll down and read the full sumo wrestling story here.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:45 am
ugh that would have been me I forgot to write what prize I wanted. I knew it as I was laying in bed and couldnt sleep. Ugh I would like anyone so that would be both. But I didnt think I could go back an edit ugh.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Funny, but that’s usually the first thing I do, but I must admit, I tend to be a skimmer. But more importantly, I just like to leave a comment. When given the choice of a t-shirt or a gift card, I’ll take the card, but I don’t even know where the nearest Giant Tiger is, so the fact that I didn’t choose either isn’t important to me. If on the other hand, the prize turned out to be a giant 52′ flat screen jumbo plasma tron tv, then I would be kicking myself.