From The Contest Queen

I announced my first blog contest yesterday. WOW, what a great response! I think I am having as much fun running the contest as I do entering them! (Maybe I’ll do this once a month?!)

I am LOVING all the great comments. (I read each one to ensure nothing offensive has been written before approving it.) Such fun stories about prizes, adventures or various perspectives on the hobby.

I did want to post some replies to a few of the comments. If you are new to my blog, I do offer many free contesting and sweepstaking resources on my Contest Queen website. I also write a free bi-weekly e-newsletter and host a free bi-weekly online radio show (which is now also podcast on iTunes).

Many people are stating that they rarely win, never win or only win small prizes. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” If you think you rarely win, or you won’t win, you won’t. I say, “Half the hobby is in your head.” You have to think you are lucky and you have to think you are a winner (and believe it) before you are lucky and a winner. I expect to win and therefore I do. I recommend reading, (besides my book of course) The Law of Attraction by Michael Losier. His book is a simple step-by-step how-to book vs. The Secret which many people find overwhelming or sometimes confusing if they are new to the concept of you attract into one’s life what you think about most.

GOOD LUCK to all!

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.

On a slow TV night last week I caught the last half of Rumor Has It. Kevin Costner’s character Beau Burroughs has a great line in the movie, “Life has to be a little nuts sometimes. Otherwise it’s just a bunch of Thursdays strung together.” It’s why I encourage people to take up sweepstaking as a hobby. It adds the “little nuts” to life, in a good way.

When I won a year’s supply of pizza my husband asked my daughter, “What’s better than pizza?” The answer?  “Free pizza!”

Free is good. That is why many people enter contests and sweepstakes as a hobby. Sometimes you don’t even have to enter to get something for free. If you are looking to do something a little different without spending a lot of money, get tickets to the taping of a local television show.

Living near Toronto I have been to many of the shows taped in the city. There is something for everyone’s taste and schedule. Check out your local TV station’s webpage to see what is taped near you to get your free tickets.

If you are planning a trip to L.A., New York or Chicago go to your favourite TV show’s website and see how to get free tickets. You may get a chance to be in the audience for Oprah, Ellen, Leno or Letterman.

In the GTA:

STEVE & CHRIS

THE HOUR 

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES

HAVE FUN!!