Learn about the ins and outs of Sweepstakes Club Meetings and scroll down to register to hang out with fellow sweepers online.

One of the biggest surprises I had when I began researching my first book was discovering an entire community of sweepstakers. Not only were people connecting online through groups and forums, but they were also meeting in person through clubs and conventions. There is nothing like the energy of being around other winners. They encourage you when you hit a dry spell, cheer for you when you win, and openly share tips to help you succeed.

As the pandemic began shutting things down and we were encouraged to practice social distancing, I saw an opportunity to reach out to fellow contestors and stay connected. I decided to bring the in-person contest club experience online. Even though we have returned to regular group gatherings, the online club meetings continue for a variety of reasons, such as those who don’t have a local club nearby or can’t venture out.

My goal is to mimic the structure and feel of an in-person club meeting as closely as possible. If you have never been to a meeting, here is what they could look like.

Coffee Shop
This is where my local club used to meet. We show up with our laptops, tablets, or phones, grab a drink, and gather around the largest table we can find for two hours. We talk about recent wins, discuss the giveaways we are focusing on, and help each other enter. We even have a club Facebook Group where we share referral links.

Some clubs add an element of fun with simple drawings. Members bring items such as stamps, envelopes, scratch-off lottery tickets, 50/50 raffle tickets, or even unused prizes to trade.

Member’s Home
This is a more casual option, and meetings often run longer. Some clubs turn it into a potluck lunch or dinner while they catch up and strategize.

Other meeting spots include restaurants, libraries, community centers, and similar public spaces.

Our club has evolved. We originally met at a restaurant on Sundays for lunch, but after the service declined, we moved on. It was more of a social gathering since we did not bring devices. Later, we experimented with meeting at a member’s home so we could use the member’s WiFi and a projector, giving the meeting a more classroom feel. Eventually, we settled into a coffee shop routine, with the occasional meeting at someone’s home.

You may want to join a local club or attend a convention. You can find details on my website and on Sweepsheet’s site under Clubs.

REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT MEETING HERE

Online Meeting
Here is the outline you will experience during a Virtual Contest Club Meeting. We will:

• have a round robin introduction
• share a recent win or a favorite prize
• help each other win by
  • asking questions
  • answering questions
  • sharing current sweepstakes

I moderate and host the meetings, but this is not a workshop where I teach, and you listen. It is a group effort, just as it would be if we were meeting in person. To help cover hosting costs, I also ask each attendee to pay $1 to help cover Zoom costs, as it’s not free for me to use. The meeting is limited to twenty-five people, so everyone has time to participate.

What You Need
You need a device with a camera, microphone, and speakers. Most phones, tablets, and laptops already have them built in. Bring a cup of coffee or tea and a notepad for jotting down ideas. There is also a chat room where we can share links to giveaways and social handles to help each other connect.

After you register, you will receive a custom link (via Calendly) to join the meeting.

Expand Your Winning Circle
You may also want to consider attending a convention; it’s like a club meeting 100x’d. You can find those details on the Convention page.

I highly recommend reading The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, or watching the movie. They differ slightly, so both are worth experiencing.

I can also promise you one thing. You will have fun.

Will you be joining me online?