forum thread Posted by FreebiesRGreat • Jun 3, 2008
Jun 3, 2008 2:50 AM
forum thread Posted by FreebiesRGreat • Jun 3, 2008
Jun 3, 2008 2:50 AM
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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.
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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.
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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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so y/v for example are indistinguishable? Really annoying...
so y/v for example are indistinguishable? Really annoying...
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My system has 3 primary groups, single entry or an 'Entered' folder, dailies (which doesn't matter if it is IWG or sweepstakes or both) and lastly Monthly, Weekly and others. This seems more complicated than it is, and once a bookmark is added, the few seconds extra it takes is over with and you can fly thru the contests.
NOTE: I do this using Opera, Firefox has similar fields in its bookmarks that should work, you may need to change things around for other browsers.
Create a couple folders;
I create one main folder called Contests and put the following folders in that;
-Daily
-Difficult
-Entered
-Entered-CHECK
-Entered-WON
-Possible
My Monthly/Weekly/Other bookmarks go into the main Contests folder.
When you find a new contest you are going to enter, decide which of those three types the contest falls into.
If it is single entry, bookmark the main entry page of the contest into 'Entered' so you don't enter it again.
If it is daily, add a bookmark but add the end date of the contest to the front of the name. For instance;
2011-02-28 - Farmland Better with Bacon Contest " Farmland Foods
Use the date format as listed, as it'll sort much easier. Year-Month-Day (with a 0 in front for single digits) and " - " to make it neat.
If the contest requires a special code or login information, store that in the bookmarks description. As long as it isn't a sensitive site, like Amazon where your account can be used to spend your money, the security risk is minimal if anyone gets a hold of it so I think this is an OK method, but you have to decide that for yourself.
If there are specific notes you need to remind yourself of, like making certain to say no for a subscription or where you need to look on the page add it in capital letters after the end date;
2011-01-31 - NO THANKS - Travel + Leisure - Dream Come True Sweepstakes
ONGOING - CLICK ON RIGHT - Purchase Steaks, Lobster and Gourmet Food Gifts Online | Omaha Steaks
When you have all your daily bookmarks together, if you sort by name is should list them in the order in which they run out. Whatever is at the top should be ending soonest, and you'll see the date and can just move the finished contests over to the 'Entered' folder.
The Weekly/Monthly/Other takes a little longer to setup, but again, very fast once you do.
Instead of putting the end date first, you'll be putting the next entry day, as well as a list of future dates following the pattern of the contest. For a weekly, pick a day of the week you'd like to enter them, and go thru a calendar for a couple months (or as far as you'd like to, ahead) and make a cheat sheet. We'll say you enter on Wednesdays, starting Oct. 6th, 2010. If you enter all the dates till the end of the contest, and an "- END -" after the final date, if you don't feel like entering till the very end, or is it ongoing, add a "- CONTINUE -" between the last one you enter and the end date or "- ONGOING - " to tell you to add more dates when you've reached it. An example follows;
2010-10-06 - 2010-10-13 - 2010-10-20 - 2010-10-27 - 2010-11-03 - 2010-11-10 - 2010-11-17 - 2010-11-24 - 2010-12-01 - 2010-12-08 - 2010-12-15 - 2010-12-22 - 2010-12-29 - 2011-01-05 - 2011-01-12 - CONTINUE - 2012-01-31 - Joe's Beef and Sausage Bonanza Giveaway
Remember, while that looks confusing and long you will only see a short snipit of it in your bookmarks and you'll only need to pay attention to the date and if you've hit the end. Each week you'll only have to clip the first date out of the bookmark as you enter it, we are talking less than 10 seconds of work but you know you've entered and know exactly when the next day you have to enter is. You can use the exact same method for Monthly contests and contests with entry 'periods' such as every other week or so. To enter one every month on the 7th do as follows;
2010-10-07 - 2010-11-07 - 2010-12-07 - 2011-01-07 - 2011-02-07 - 2011-03-07 - 2011-04-07 - 2011-05-07 - 2011-06-07 - 2011-07-07 - 2011-08-07 - 2011-09-07 - 2011-10-07 2011-11-07 - 2011-12-07 - END - Joe's Magazine Giveaway
In your list of bookmarks you'll just see the contests listed with the closest dates at the top, and either enter the ones on the given day, or if they have ended, move to the "Entered" folder. If you've run out of dates and are at CONTINUE take the time to add more. Since it is easy to set it up for months or a year at a time, this shouldn't come up often. Just remember to cut out today's date when entering.
I use this system for contests that are VERY strict on disqualifying multiple entries in a certain timeframe. Instead of entering once daily on contests that disqualify multiple entries in 24 hours, I just enter once every other day. I figure half the entries are better than none.
For contests you enter multiple times a day, I just put them in with the Monthly/Weekly/Other and mark them as *{End-date} - Instructions. The asterisk in front will sort those contests before the contests without an asterisk. If you can enter 5 times a day and the contest ends Dec. 31, 2011 I would list it as follows;
*2011-12-31 - 5 TIMES DAILY - Joe's Jazzy Jeans Giveaway
As I said, I use Opera, and I keep the bookmark's panel open on the right hand side of my screen while I browse, I keep the bookmarks split so I can have the folder (such as Daily) open in the bottom half and the list of folders in the top half, makes it easier to move finished ones to the "Entered" directory. I'm sure other browsers have similar ways to handle this, if you have questions or need help or have a suggestion please feel free to reply.
You can also add directories for Difficult (Time consuming contests like games which you might enter or not during a day) and Possible which are contests you see but aren't sure if you want to join yet, perhaps it requires info you don't want to give, or requires setting up a Facebook or Twitter account and you don't have one yet.
There are ways using the Fill function in Microsoft Excel to make a list of dates that skips a day, or two weeks or a month at a time. If anyone needs to know, PM me.
The "Entered - CHECK" directory is for contests that don't notify you if you win but expect you to check their site. I believe Trendmicro is like this. I've seen a few blog contests like that as well.
I'm attaching two images, one shows how my Daily folder looks, along with a sample bookmark properties and the other image is of the Monthly/Weekly/Other.
I've noticed (don't know if it's coincidence or not) that let's say there are
5 entries a day (take Wendy's) - it seems if you are going to win it will
be on the first code entered. That seems to be what I've seen - now I
haven't been doing this too long.
The reason I want to know if it is TIME-Stamped when you log-on (for example) for
winning or not...is because then for the Wendy's games you would log-on and
then re-log-on for each of the 5 codes.
What do you think? Not trying to cheat at anything, just trying to understand
so I can maximize the chance of winning.
Kathy
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I've noticed (don't know if it's coincidence or not) that let's say there are
5 entries a day (take Wendy's) - it seems if you are going to win it will
be on the first code entered. That seems to be what I've seen - now I
haven't been doing this too long.
The reason I want to know if it is TIME-Stamped when you log-on (for example) for
winning or not...is because then for the Wendy's games you would log-on and
then re-log-on for each of the 5 codes.
What do you think? Not trying to cheat at anything, just trying to understand
so I can maximize the chance of winning.
Kathy
If I don't get the game by next week, I guess my only course of action is to keep bugging them?
If I don't get the game by next week, I guess my only course of action is to keep bugging them?
Anyway, I won my game on a Wednesday and received it the following Monday. Have you tried direct messaging @UGOdotcom? They are the ones who contacted me in regards to my mailing address and contact info.
If I don't get the game by next week, I guess my only course of action is to keep bugging them?
To be perfectly honest, I am glad. Mama always said "cheaters never prosper" and I am glad to see they won't.
GL All you honest Sweepers!
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To be perfectly honest, I am glad. Mama always said "cheaters never prosper" and I am glad to see they won't.
GL All you honest Sweepers!