From The (Contest Queen)
The Sweepstakes World Has Changed—And So Must You
When I started sweepstaking in 2001, I never imagined how different this hobby would look today. Back then, we had radio call-ins (remember frantically dialing when you heard your cue to call?), in-person giveaways at [...]
What Really Happens at a Sweepstakes Convention?
One of the biggest surprises I had when I started writing You Can't Win If You Don't Enter was discovering that sweepers don't just connect online. They also gather in person. READ: Yes, There Are [...]
Voting Contests
As I worked on Prizes, Prizes, Everywhere!, I got to the part where I talk about voting contests. It reminded me of how many times I skimmed the rules vs. read them, and how that [...]
How Do You Enter Sweepstakes?
What you use to enter sweepstakes matters more than you think. Desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, Mac, PC. Each one changes how you enter, how fast you enter, and even which contests you can enter. Really? [...]
From PIN Codes to Receipts: How Sweepstakes Are Changing
If you've been entering sweepstakes as a hobby for any length of time, you've probably noticed a big shift happening right now. For years, PIN code promotions were everywhere. I used to head out early [...]
Finding Sweepstakes in the Wild
One thing nobody tells you when you first start entering sweepstakes as a hobby is this: you have to turn on your reticular activator. It is actually something you already use every day. Have you [...]
Expect to Win
Tom Cavalli of iWinContests was kind enough to allow me to reprint a section from his most recent newsletter because it precisely explains why some people win more than others. It's why I have a [...]
Hidden Sweepstakes (And How to Find Them)
If you've been entering sweepstakes for a while, you know the basics: create a dedicated email address for entering, use a contest aggregate site, and always read the official rules. But here's what those sites [...]
Winning Prizes & Paying Taxes
One of the FAQs I get is: Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings? CANADA In Canada, you are not taxed on winnings of any kind. Lotteries, sweepstakes, casino jackpots, nothing … However, [...]