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forum thread Posted by FreebiesRGreat • Jun 3, 2008
forum thread Posted by FreebiesRGreat • Jun 3, 2008

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

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The intent of this thread is for users, both new and not-so-new, to ask questions, and help with tips/advice. This is not by any means the "gospel". Please feel free to add your words of wisdom, and if you have questions, just ask! If you have a tip that will make sweeping easier for folks, please feel free to share. This is a community effort. We all will benefit in some way.


The Basic Advice/Tips for the new-to-sweeping folks.
Enter for the items you want/need. If you have no interest in trips, avoid the sweeps where the only prize is a trip. If you know you can't afford the tax on a new vehicle, avoid entering for those.

Set up folders in your bookmark/favorites. Create a separate one for each month, and file any sweeps you are interested in into the folder corresponding with when it ends. Then, if you have a day where you're pressed for time, enter at least the ones ending that day.

Play the instant win games.

Follow the rules! If a sweep is restricted to only females, a certain age group, certain states, etc, make sure you fit the criteria! If you don't, move on to another sweep that you do qualify for. Do not create a bunch of email addresses so you can enter something more than once, or so you can play an Instant win game more. The Sponsors can tell, and will DQ you. You're better off playing by the rules than cheating and getting disqualified and having NO entries.

Don't immediately dismiss essay required sweeps (or recipes, photos, etc)....well, unless you know you don't want to write something. A lot of people pass on them, so you might have a better shot at winning something.

Don't expect this to be lucrative enough to become a job. Yes, a lot of us win, and often, but not nearly enough to quit a job!

Expect things to go slow at first. It takes a while for the wins to roll in. But once they do...look out!

Expect to occasionally hit a dry spell. It happens to ALL of us.

DEFINITELY USE YOUR REAL INFO! If you use a fake phone number, and a sponsor is calling to notify people of wins, you'll never know what you missed out on. I, and many others, have been doing this for a long time, and we have no problems with sales calls. Also, use your real name. If your name is Robert or Catherine, using Bob or Cathy is ok, as they are known acceptable shorter versions of that name. if your name is Matilda, and you go by Fluffy, don't use Fluffy. Looking at your ID to get an affy notarized, they may reject it because the names don't match. The sponsor may also say "Fluffy won, not Matilda". So stick with using your real name, or something close to it.

Most of all, HAVE FUN! And don't be afraid to ask questions. We were all new to this at one time. Any one of us would be happy to answer questions.


For easy form filling, check out Roboform [roboform.com]. Google Tool bar and the autofill feature on IE also work well.

For Mac users, the best form filler is 1Password: http://agilewebsolutions.com/products/1Password (thanks javaFlower!)

FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/...ll&cat=all

To set up the autofill feature in IE: Click on Tools, then internet options, then choose 'content'. When that pops up, click on "Autocomplete", and make sure to check the boxes for forms and passwords on forms. This is not a good idea if you are on a shared/public computer!

February 17, 2009, 3:10 am: System Notice: This thread has been automatically renewed after reaching a post limit. Most of its content has been moved to this thread for reference purposes.

July 12, 2010, 3:23 pm: System Notice: This thread has been automatically renewed after reaching a post limit. Most of its content has been moved to this thread for reference purposes.
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
The intent of this thread is for users, both new and not-so-new, to ask questions, and help with tips/advice. This is not by any means the "gospel". Please feel free to add your words of wisdom, and if you have questions, just ask! If you have a tip that will make sweeping easier for folks, please feel free to share. This is a community effort. We all will benefit in some way.


The Basic Advice/Tips for the new-to-sweeping folks.
Enter for the items you want/need. If you have no interest in trips, avoid the sweeps where the only prize is a trip. If you know you can't afford the tax on a new vehicle, avoid entering for those.

Set up folders in your bookmark/favorites. Create a separate one for each month, and file any sweeps you are interested in into the folder corresponding with when it ends. Then, if you have a day where you're pressed for time, enter at least the ones ending that day.

Play the instant win games.

Follow the rules! If a sweep is restricted to only females, a certain age group, certain states, etc, make sure you fit the criteria! If you don't, move on to another sweep that you do qualify for. Do not create a bunch of email addresses so you can enter something more than once, or so you can play an Instant win game more. The Sponsors can tell, and will DQ you. You're better off playing by the rules than cheating and getting disqualified and having NO entries.

Don't immediately dismiss essay required sweeps (or recipes, photos, etc)....well, unless you know you don't want to write something. A lot of people pass on them, so you might have a better shot at winning something.

Don't expect this to be lucrative enough to become a job. Yes, a lot of us win, and often, but not nearly enough to quit a job!

Expect things to go slow at first. It takes a while for the wins to roll in. But once they do...look out!

Expect to occasionally hit a dry spell. It happens to ALL of us.

DEFINITELY USE YOUR REAL INFO! If you use a fake phone number, and a sponsor is calling to notify people of wins, you'll never know what you missed out on. I, and many others, have been doing this for a long time, and we have no problems with sales calls. Also, use your real name. If your name is Robert or Catherine, using Bob or Cathy is ok, as they are known acceptable shorter versions of that name. if your name is Matilda, and you go by Fluffy, don't use Fluffy. Looking at your ID to get an affy notarized, they may reject it because the names don't match. The sponsor may also say "Fluffy won, not Matilda". So stick with using your real name, or something close to it.

Most of all, HAVE FUN! And don't be afraid to ask questions. We were all new to this at one time. Any one of us would be happy to answer questions.


For easy form filling, check out Roboform [roboform.com]. Google Tool bar and the autofill feature on IE also work well.

For Mac users, the best form filler is 1Password: http://agilewebsolutions.com/products/1Password (thanks javaFlower!)

FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/...ll&cat=all

To set up the autofill feature in IE: Click on Tools, then internet options, then choose 'content'. When that pops up, click on "Autocomplete", and make sure to check the boxes for forms and passwords on forms. This is not a good idea if you are on a shared/public computer!

February 17, 2009, 3:10 am: System Notice: This thread has been automatically renewed after reaching a post limit. Most of its content has been moved to this thread for reference purposes.

July 12, 2010, 3:23 pm: System Notice: This thread has been automatically renewed after reaching a post limit. Most of its content has been moved to this thread for reference purposes.

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Feb 24, 2018
638 Posts
Joined Jun 2015
Feb 24, 2018
weasul
Feb 24, 2018
638 Posts
Quote from mrcharlieboi :
So still new to all of this and have decided to just stick to single entries due to time. Thanks to everyone! I feel I'm always on the lookout so I can post a sweep.

What is the deal for unsubscribing from a newsletter right away so it doesn't clog your inbox? They still can contact you if you win? I know some contests require you to sign up but not sure if you need to stay signed up if you win a prize.
It really depends on the sweeps. Some may state that you can unsubscribe at any time and others may state that unsubscribing makes you ineligible to win. It's generally safe to unsubscribe for the bigger sponsors, but I never do due to the risk of missing out on a win. I'd say battling spam / email takes more of my time than actually entering sweepstakes.

If you're super organized, you can keep a spreadsheet that contain all sweeps you enter, their sponsors/hosts, and the end date. Then you can safely subscribe after the sweeps ends.
Feb 25, 2018
1,447 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
Feb 25, 2018
mrcharlieboi
Feb 25, 2018
1,447 Posts
Quote from weasul :
It really depends on the sweeps. Some may state that you can unsubscribe at any time and others may state that unsubscribing makes you ineligible to win. It's generally safe to unsubscribe for the bigger sponsors, but I never do due to the risk of missing out on a win. I'd say battling spam / email takes more of my time than actually entering sweepstakes.

If you're super organized, you can keep a spreadsheet that contain all sweeps you enter, their sponsors/hosts, and the end date. Then you can safely subscribe after the sweeps ends.

Ahhh interesting. Yeah I do have a spreadsheet with that info but haven't thought of unsubscribing after the sweep ends. Thanks
Feb 26, 2018
1,103 Posts
Joined May 2008
Feb 26, 2018
conehead433
Feb 26, 2018
1,103 Posts
I gave up on unsubscribing. Every time you enter another sweeps with the same sponsors you have resubscribed. Easier just to delete all the unwanted emails daily.
Feb 26, 2018
3,880 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Feb 26, 2018
StormRichards
Feb 26, 2018
3,880 Posts
Quote from conehead433 :
I gave up on unsubscribing. Every time you enter another sweeps with the same sponsors you have resubscribed. Easier just to delete all the unwanted emails daily.
I think I am going to use this approach. I have unsubscribed from some that I was fairly certain the contest ended, but honestly didn't double check like I should.
Feb 28, 2018
638 Posts
Joined Jun 2015
Feb 28, 2018
weasul
Feb 28, 2018
638 Posts
Has anyone on here ever won any of the sweeps hosted on dojomojo.ninja? I see them all over the place and they usually have multiple sponsors that fill up your inbox, but I don't know if I've ever seen any wins posted from them.
Feb 28, 2018
117,909 Posts
Joined May 2006
Feb 28, 2018
implode
Feb 28, 2018
117,909 Posts
Quote from weasul :
Has anyone on here ever won any of the sweeps hosted on dojomojo.ninja? I see them all over the place and they usually have multiple sponsors that fill up your inbox, but I don't know if I've ever seen any wins posted from them.
I Don't enter these, they feel suspect to me Think your instinct is righyn
Mar 1, 2018
117,909 Posts
Joined May 2006
Mar 1, 2018
implode
Mar 1, 2018
117,909 Posts
Telemarketing call from Clayton homes, time to ignore those sweeps.

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Mar 8, 2018
676 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Mar 8, 2018
minxa1
Mar 8, 2018
676 Posts
I need motivation.. I'm in a real slump.. I enter and enter, but nothing really is happening.. I used to get a few small wins here and there, but it's been a while since I got a winning email.. How do you keep going?
Mar 8, 2018
117,909 Posts
Joined May 2006
Mar 8, 2018
implode
Mar 8, 2018
117,909 Posts
Quote from minxa1 :
I need motivation.. I'm in a real slump.. I enter and enter, but nothing really is happening.. I used to get a few small wins here and there, but it's been a while since I got a winning email.. How do you keep going?
I hear you, was in 4 month drought up until Monday...was being sustained on Oatmeal, Candy, and Chip Coupons. Beyond taking delight in small wins and wins of others it greatly helps to build a routine. For me things that are a habit are easier to maintain. It also helps to distract yourself while entering---watching TV/Listening to music help me make a boring task more acceptable. But as you have probably figured out, this whole thing is game of persistence and patience.
Mar 8, 2018
3,880 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Mar 8, 2018
StormRichards
Mar 8, 2018
3,880 Posts
Quote from minxa1 :
I need motivation.. I'm in a real slump.. I enter and enter, but nothing really is happening.. I used to get a few small wins here and there, but it's been a while since I got a winning email.. How do you keep going?
Quote from implode :
I hear you, was in 4 month drought up until Monday...was being sustained on Oatmeal, Candy, and Chip Coupons. Beyond taking delight in small wins and wins of others it greatly helps to build a routine. For me things that are a habit are easier to maintain. It also helps to distract yourself while entering---watching TV/Listening to music help me make a boring task more acceptable. But as you have probably figured out, this whole thing is game of persistence and patience AND INSANITY
implode, I fixed your post.
Mar 8, 2018
1,756 Posts
Joined Sep 2007
Mar 8, 2018
biggiesteve
Mar 8, 2018
1,756 Posts
Quote from minxa1 :
I need motivation.. I'm in a real slump.. I enter and enter, but nothing really is happening.. I used to get a few small wins here and there, but it's been a while since I got a winning email.. How do you keep going?
I just think that there are others that will give up so that only improves my chances if I keep going.
Mar 8, 2018
676 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Mar 8, 2018
minxa1
Mar 8, 2018
676 Posts
Quote from StormRichards :
implode, I fixed your post.
I definitely agree with the insanity part! lol..
I've been trying to mix things up with FB and blogs, but not having a lot of luck with those either. Plus it kills to see the same people winning on FB over and over again, makes me wonder if I'm doing something wrong.
Mar 8, 2018
676 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Mar 8, 2018
minxa1
Mar 8, 2018
676 Posts
Quote from StormRichards :
implode, I fixed your post.
Quote from biggiesteve :
I just think that there are others that will give up so that only improves my chances if I keep going.
I have that same thought lol.. let the weak exit the game so I can win!!
Mar 10, 2018
2,428 Posts
Joined May 2006
Mar 10, 2018
TBotzon
Mar 10, 2018
2,428 Posts
I have noticed Acanela Expeditions has one to two contests for trips a month. I never see a winner posted or have heard of anyone winning. I noticed they do not use a national company to pick winners. Just wondering if anyone has won or heard of anyone winning? Wondering if I am wasting my time.

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Mar 10, 2018
117,909 Posts
Joined May 2006
Mar 10, 2018
implode
Mar 10, 2018
117,909 Posts
Quote from TBotzon :
I have noticed Acanela Expeditions has one to two contests for trips a month. I never see a winner posted or have heard of anyone winning. I noticed they do not use a national company to pick winners. Just wondering if anyone has won or heard of anyone winning? Wondering if I am wasting my time.
I haven't heard of anyone winning...trust your gut when something feels off, your often correct in your instincts.

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