Sometimes I do things automatically and don’t realize they aren’t common knowledge.

That happened during my recent Sweepstakes Q&A livestream.

My smartwatch kept going off while I was live. Even though I had put my phone on silent, my watch was still letting me know whenever someone posted in one of my sweepstakes groups. Afterward, the comments started rolling in because so many people had never thought about using a smartwatch to help them win.

For me, it’s become part of my routine.

I’m a member of several Facebook and Discord groups where sweepers alert one another about flash giveaways, radio contests, and other time-sensitive opportunities. If I’m away from my desk, out running errands, or working around the house, I might not hear my phone. But my watch is always on my wrist, so I never miss those important notifications.

Ironically, all of this came up because I recently had to replace my smartwatch. My Garmin got so hot while I was at the pool in Arizona when I was there for the Annual National Sweepstakes Convention that it actually fried! Thankfully, I was able to order one online, so my new watch was waiting for me when I got home, and I’m still figuring out all the features. Apparently, one feature I take for granted is something many sweepers hadn’t considered.

If you own a smartwatch (Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Garmin, or another brand), take a few minutes to check your notification settings. Make sure alerts from your favorite sweepstakes groups are enabled. It could be the difference between catching a flash giveaway and missing it completely.

Winning isn’t just about entering. It’s also about using the tools available to you.

Now I’m curious…

What gadgets, apps, or little tricks do you use that help you stay on top of sweepstakes? Share your favorite tip in the comments. You might help another sweeper discover a new way to win!

 

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A post shared by Carolyn Wilman (@thecontestqueen)