From The Contest Queen

As I stated in my last posting, for the most part, I liked the documentary. When I was asked to be in it, I knew all I could do was put forth my vision, state my message, and hope it didn’t end up on the cutting room floor. Frugal Shopper has had and interesting online discussion of the various aspects of the film. It seems that most people feel that our hobby has been shown in the worse possible light and, I agree, that my message of fun, excitement and fellowship did not come across as strongly as I would have liked. What was remembered by most was, how the hobby turned to an addiction and ruined a family.

Then (coincidentally?) yesterday ABC ran an online article Sweepstakes Addicts Win Big. I think Sandra at about.com (re)stated my feelings on the misconceptions of the hobby in her posting Why Are Sweepers “Addicts”?. To me an addiction is something that must be done no matter what and comes before everything else. I do not put my hobby before family or work. I only spend 1-2 hours per day entering, and on busy days 10-30 min. On my busiest the reason I can squeeze in 10 min. is because I use RoboForm Companion, otherwise on those busy days, contesting time would be zero. On those days I also affirm to myself, I win what I am suppose to win and it only takes one to win.

The day this hobby isn’t fun anymore, is the day I quit.

Overall I thought the documentary was very good. I feel they showed a bit too much of the compulsive aspect of the hobby versus the fun side. But, how interesting would the documentary be if they just showed the average contestor sitting in front of the computer clicking away for an hour? They needed to show the various extremes of the hobby. Also, the director had hundreds of hours of film to condense down to 45 min. along with ensuring she told a very compelling story.

There were questions and aspects I wish they had time to show. For example, when I meet new people that don’t enter, they don’t because; they don’t think they will win, they think no one wins or they are afraid of spam, scams and identity theft. What are the marketers doing to overcome those fears and perspectives to increase their dialog with the average consumer? The UGC (User Generated Content) contest they showed costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to create and execute for the sponsor. The reason many companies have simple form-based promotions is the cost.

What about the radio stations? They didn’t explore the fact that many parent companies are now blending the marketing budgets of all the stations they own in one market, or possibly the country, decreasing the odds of their loyal listeners winning a prize. How many contestors need or want to win a $20,000 wedding? Had it been a promotion for a car or trip, there would have been far more competition from the contestors.

What did you think?

NOTE: I am waiting to hear back from the production company to see if they will be selling the Winning for a Living documentary as a DVD as I have received many emails from those not within the viewing area. I will keep everyone posted.

Sandra Grauschopf writes the Contests & Sweepstakes section on about.com and was lucky enough to get an advance copy of the documentary. She is one lucky lady. I was in it, and I have to wait until it airs on TV next Thursday! Sandra wrote a review of the film I thought you may enjoy.

There is a very short excerpt of Winning For a Living now online. It features Mike Smith.

I want to make, what I feel is, an important comment here. I believe Mike is the exception to the rule. I have met hundreds fellow contestors and sweepers all over North America and I have never meet anyone else as addicted to entering and winning as Mike.

To me, the purpose of taking up contesting as a hobby is to have fun. Entering is fun. Winning is fun. Including friends and family in the prizes is fun. I usually spend 1-2 hours per day entering and many days I may only spend 10-30 minutes. I remember one rare luxurious lazy Sunday where I spent 6-7 hours organizing and catching up on my online entries. What a treat!

I have never put the hobby before my family. They are involved so we enter and win as a family. My daughter does colouring contests. My husband likes late night walks and on recycle night comes home with heaps of PIN codes for me to enter. We all enjoy the fun of entering, the thrill of winning and the sharing of the prizes.

I hope people interested in becoming contestors realize there is more to the hobby than spending days or weeks filling out entry forms. The best part of the hobby (Yes, even better than winning!) are the wonderful people I have met and the life long friends I have made.

Yesterday I received a copy of the press release for The Doc Zone documentary, Winning for a Living, to be aired on CBC March 6th.

The PR company reviewed an advanced copy of the film. They said it is very good and our hobby is presented in a balanced manner showing contesting from many different perspectives. I can hardly wait to see it!

Over the next few weeks I will be doing interviews promoting the film. If you know anyone in the media that would be interested in doing a story on the documentary, please have them contact the PR company listed in the press release. So far, I am booked to be on CIUT 89.5FM Friday February 22nd on CareerBuzz, 11am-Noon.

The Passionate Eye documentary that was filmed at the Annual National Contestors Convention is due to air on CBC in March. I am still awaiting a final name and air date. I will be sending out the documentary information as soon as I have it.

In the meantime, to satisfy your craving to watch fellow sweepers and contestors on TV, pop The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio in your DVD player and haul out the tissue box.