A Sweeper’s Persistence

If, at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Have you ever had a hard time entering sweepstakes? The entry form didn’t work for one reason or another. You fiddled and futzed with it until, finally, it was submitted. Did you win? Probably, and you want to know why? If Joe Average can’t get the entry to work on the first or second try, he gives up. The only one that will keep trying is a sweeper. A sweeper knows their odds have increased if they are persistent enough.

While being filmed for High Stakes Sweepers, I tried to enter a PIN code into a text messaging-based sweepstakes. I read the instructions on the inside of the ice cream treat box, text in the code, and it was rejected. I tried again, but this time using all capital letters. Rejected. I reread the instructions and realized I left out a small step. I tried again. Rejected. I tried again using all capitals. Rejected. The film crew gave up and left the room. Murphy’s Law … I tried one last time, adding in a space (not indicated in the instructions) and using all capitals (also not outlined in the instructions), and finally, acceptance. The message returned this time and said I was an eligible winner. Seriously?! The minute the crew steps away, I win. Another reason winning sweepstakes feels like spotting leprechauns. No one but you ever seems to capture it on film.

I head over to the URL given in the return text message using Firefox. I fill out the online form. It won’t submit. I fix the CAPTCHA. Won’t submit it. I reread the form. I can’t find an error. I fix the CAPTCHA. Won’t submit it. I open Internet Explorer. Surely it must be the browser. I fill out the online form again. It won’t submit either. UGH! I reread the form, and this time I find a tiny section that needs to be clicked. Finally, the form submits. After all that, I got the daily winner message. (I should have taken a screenshot. I could have posted it.) I won a $299 online gift certificate for LifeExperiences.ca. WOOT!!

If you ever have trouble entering, keep trying. You might just be a winner!

TIP: If an online form won’t submit after a few days, contact the sponsor and/or contest management company to get it fixed. Joe Average has given up, and your odds have still increased, even if you missed an entry or two.

Have you ever had trouble entering sweepstakes?

About the Author: Carolyn

Carolyn Wilman, known as the Contest Queen, teaches others how to find, organize, enter, and win sweepstakes contests and giveaways. Her proven online entry system, found in How To Win Cash, Cars, Trips & More!, has helped others win more than $1M in cash and prizes. As a contestor, Carolyn has won over $350,000 in prizes, including 24 trips to locations such as California, Florida, the Winter Olympics, and a European tour, with a trip to the set of Harry Potter in London, England being her favorite.

4 Comments

Lilac June 11, 2011 at 3:54 pm - Reply

Really great post. I’m the same way. Awesome you won.
Frankie January 23, 2023 at 1:28 pm - Reply

Hi.

Just love your site and what you teach. I was wondering where could I find Apple product contests I could enter ( win MacBook, Ipad, etc). I don’t know whete to look.

Hello from a fellow Canadian ( I live in Montreal )
- Carolyn January 24, 2023 at 10:42 am - Reply
  
  You need to start with the Quebec concourse websites. I have three here: https://www.contestqueen.com/canadian-resources/find-contests/contest-aggregates/ Then look for Apple but also enter for cash and gift cards as sometimes what you want isn’t offered as a prize.
Soha Molina January 23, 2023 at 1:55 pm - Reply

Thank you for posting the link to High Stake Sweepers. I had not heard of that before and will enjoy watching i. It is always very inspirational to see or read about wins.