Sweepstakes 101

If you’re interested in sweepstaking, but don’t know exactly where to begin, this post is for you! I’m going to go over some of the basics of the internet world of sweepstakes for any newbies out there.

Before You Begin / What You Need
1. Get an email address to use specifically for entering sweepstakes. – Spam emails and sweepstakes kinda go together like peas and mashed potatoes. Some sweepstakes require subscription to their newsletter or something similar or else your entry is invalid. In actuality, most of the emails you get from entering sweepstakes are a direct result of you signing up for them. Either way, spam emails really aren’t so bad, but you don’t want them getting mixed in with your personal emails. So, make sure you have at least one extra email address just for entering sweepstakes. I signed up for my “official sweeping email address” for free using Gmail.

2. A desire to learn. Some sweepstakes require more than just filling out the same monotonous contact information. In order to get the most entries to win a prize in your sweepingstaking venture, some knowledge regarding social media definitely won’t hurt. This means, it helps how to know how to do things like follow someone on twitter, how to tweet, how to join someone’s website via Google Friend Connect, how to friend someone on Facebook, and other things. Take it slowly, it really isn’t that hard and you’ll learn as you go.

2. Patience & Determination – yeah, might as well grab a little of these, too.

Types Of Sweepstakes
1. Instant Wins – I group sweepstakes that basically only require the filling out of a form to enter as “Instant Wins”. These are commonly hosted by the companies that make the prize(s) to be won, but that isn’t always so. Sometimes you only have to enter these once, sometimes they allow multiple entries per day, or even unlimited entries. Some actually do tell you if you’ve won immediately after entering, which can make for some great instant gratification. Oftentimes, you are playing for many items and cannot pick the item you win. The method of entry is usually just your basic contact information filled into a form, but sometimes you have to do other tasks in addition to filling out a form. A lot of times you are asked to play some sort of game on a website. Usually you don’t have to actually play the game, and it can be bypassed by locating a “Skip Game” link and clicking on it without doing any damage to your chances of winning. Also, Instant Wins sweeps are notorious for using flash and other computer-resource-hogging scripts, so you probably need a computer that isn’t ancient. I have won many times on Instant Win sweepstakes, but they are not my preferred method of entering sweepstakes.

2. Blog Sweepstakes - My preferred way to enter sweepstakes. I have pretty good luck with blog sweepstakes, mainly because the competition isn’t usually as fierce as the other methods. Blog sweepstakes are (surprise!) hosted on blog websites. Usually, the prizes to be won are reviewed by a blogger and then the same item(s) are offered up in a giveaway. The method of entering can be a simple form, but can also include doing things like following the blog and sponsors in their social media circles or commenting on the blog post. The newest way to enter blog sweepstakes I have come across is Rafflecopter. Rafflecopter makes entering blog sweeps easier than ever and doesn’t usually bog down computer resources. Out of all the types of sweepstakes, I find blog sweepstakes to be the most winnable for me.

3. Magazine Sweepstakes - These are exactly what you think: sweepstakes found in magazines or on magazine’s websites. They are usually entered by simply filling out a form. It helps a lot to sign up for an account with the magazine you are entering though because it often saves you from having to fill out a form over and over again. I have only won one magazine giveaway, but it was a big win and I don’t enter them very often.

4. Text To Win – Text To Win sweepstakes are giveaways you enter using your mobile phone. Usually you text a code to a certain number to enter. These are not always free to enter as your cell phone package determines the cost of sending out a text. I have only won Text To Win sweepstakes with Coca-Cola, but I do not enter them often.

5. Other – I’m sure I’m leaving something off my list, but you get the point–there are multiple ways to enter sweepstakes. Just keep your eyes open for them and you’ll see them all over the place!

Where To Find Sweepstakes To Enter
My personal favorite websites to find sweepstakes include online-sweepstakes.com & Sweetie’s Sweeps. You can also find other places to enter on my right sidebar of this website.

Good luck, all!