One of my readers, Wendy, asked an important question about how sweepstakes winners are notified — especially for those who are deaf or use a relay service. She wondered if big winners from text-to-enter contests are ever contacted by phone, and if using a video relay might cause a sponsor or agency to hang up.

So, I reached out to several major promotional agencies to find out what really happens.

How Text Sweepstakes Winners Are Contacted

Tony from White Cloud Marketing explained that his company always collects email addresses and uses email as the first method of contact. Phone calls are rare and only happen after the initial notification.

Eric from CFA Promo said that for text contests, they contact winners either by text or by phone, depending on the rules. He confirmed they would never hang up on a relay call and have successfully reached deaf winners through relay operators in the past.

John from LaunchFire noted that while his company doesn’t run text contests, they would always stay on the line and work with the relay operator to ensure the winner gets their prize.

Juliette and Sarah from Spark & Fuse added that winners are never penalized for missing a phone call. Their team goes out of their way to track winners down by email or mail so prizes aren’t lost.

The Bottom Line

If your name is drawn as a potential winner, you will be contacted. Agencies are required to make every reasonable effort to reach you.

That said, Wendy’s idea of writing “No phone – I am deaf” on her mail-in entries is a smart one. It helps marketers know the best way to contact you, ensuring you don’t miss out on a win.

Sweepstakes are meant for everyone, and your method of communication should never be a barrier. Focus on entering, focus on winning — and trust that if your name is chosen, they’ll find you.