There is a reason “Always Read the Rules” is my #1 tip.
If you don’t follow the rules, you will either not even be in to win, or you will be disqualified if your name is drawn. What is worse is you won’t even know!
Be sure to read these posts on rules and regulations:
How to Read the Official Rules
How ‘Hard & Fast’ are the Rules?
What if the rules are confusing?
Read the rules carefully (I know this seems silly if they already don’t make any sense), but you are looking for the name of the company in charge of the contest. It will most likely be an agency, but it could be the sponsor itself.
Then you can look them up online, find the Contact Us information and reach out to them, requesting clarification. You can also ask via social media, but depending on the company, it may be a different agency, and you may not get an answer. e.g., When I worked as a Contest Manager for a large ad agency, I worked with the Account Manager for a large popular cheese company; on some promotions, there were up to five agencies involved (contest, social media, analytics, advertising, etc.)
Also, reach out to your social media sweepstakes community. Different eyes can sometimes spot and understand a clause you couldn’t. It’s one of the hidden benefits of making contest friends both off and online.
What are the most confusing clauses you come across?
I got burned on this one recently. I won an iPad/tshirt (don’t know which I would have won) in a contest that I missed was only for commercial truck drivers. I was disappointed, but it was also my fault for not reading the rules. Ah well.
I did the same thing David did. Same sweeps. I never did see it in the rules. But it was clear that I wasn’t getting the prize!
I’ve been entering for years long before the internet, but I have to say this latest one sounds kind of crazy about mailing your entry with ‘proof of delivery’. I guess that really discourages mail in entries. From a marketing perspective, I wonder why this is necessary?
“Hand print your NAZ, email address, phone number, and DOB either on a postcard or on a separate piece of paper no larger than 8½ x 11 inches, and mail the postcard or paper in an envelope (No hand-stamped entries or mailing labels) with proof of delivery and the postage affixed to:”
Probably going to pass this up as prize was not all that big, but I also would have entered if not for paying for delivery proof.
Alex
It IS true that sometimes rules are confusing, and that’s a very good tip, to look for the company’s name and contact them so that you’re certain you’re entering correctly!
I keep getting contests that you get so far into it and you have to buy something. I am not giving out my credit or debit card so then i wasted all my time
That is not good. I would find a good sweepstakes aggregate (check out the Resources section of this website) to find legitimate contests that do not ask for payment to be entered.
Oh god i need to read the rules because i have lost a give away and i might lose this one
i need the rules in the easiest way possible.