subject: New Sweepstakes and Contests - How To Enter Sweepstakes [print this page] New Sweepstakes and Contests - How To Enter Sweepstakes
As you gather sweepstake the entry forms, organize them into a logical pattern. On a separate pad, write down a summary of information about the sweepstakes entry, including:
name of the sweepstakes
name and address of the advertising sponsor
the specific prizes being given away
date of the drawing
date of sponsor notification of winning entries
number of entries you submit for this sweepstakes
amount of postage you've spent on this sweepstakes
date of each mailing of your entry forms
This will give you an easy checklist to refer to on any given sweepstakes. You may also want to have cross checking records in the form of ledger sheets and monthly calendars, so you can record expenses and dates again for easy reference for those particulars.
For every sweepstakes you enter, you must read all of their rules carefully. Only by following the given rules will you be able to have a qualified entry. If you ignore the rules, your entry will never be placed in the bin for drawing. You will not know this, either.
Advertising sponsors aren't going to take the time to tell you they've discarded your entry form. If you don't do it right, that's not their problem.
So, be careful! Here are a few examples of the types of rules that often appear in sweepstakes contests:
No purchase necessary. This is part of federal regulations. You don't have to buy anything to submit a correct entry form that may be drawn. You may not be able to use the entry form attached to the sweepstakes offer, but you have every right to follow the directions and submit the necessary information on a separate piece of paper or index card.
Postmarked by OR Received by rules. This is important to note. Get your entry out in plenty of time to ensure that it will qualify as a correct entry form and place you in the drawing for the grand prize. Don't time it too closely. Beat the dates by a comfortable margin.
Non transferability. You must take the prize that you win. You can't trade it for another prize.
One prize per household. This increases your chance to win since contest rules forbid more than one winner from the same family.
Age/Geographic limits. Some sweepstakes have age limitations and/or regional boundaries. The contest may only be available to people who live in the home state of the advertiser, for example. Watch these limitations! If you don't qualify, toss this entry form!
