Have you ever completed a Sweepstakes before? Well I have and I do quite frequently. I like sweeps because:

1. They are free to enter (so no gambling is involved).
2. There is absolutely no money involved.
3. It’s a hobby for me and I have won some nice prizes.

I have been so fortunate and BLESSED to win several Sweepstakes this year already!

My motto is “Somebody has to win, why can’t that somebody be me!”

I have won this year:
1. A LARGE SCREEN Samsung LCD 3-D, HD-TV with several pairs of 3-D glasses.
2. A year’s supply of Coke Zero, Ritz crackers and Wheat Thins.
3. A year’s supply of milk
4. Free make-up
5. Twelve coupons for Pillsbury Toaster Strudels. OK, I hate those things, but the kids love them!
6. Free 3 bags of Halls
7. Pepsi Tee-shirt

I have also won several things in 2010. Some of the prizes are big, others are small but just as welcome. My favorite website to use is http://www.sweepstakestoday.com . Mr. Sweepy posts all the latest Sweepstakes from major companies. I select the ones I am interested in which is mainly companies that I recognize like Kraft, Coke, Pillsbury etc. His system is so well organized. He lists the deadline, the type of wins and allows people to post messages. He does all the research for people. I recommend using a separate e-mail address from your regular one.

My second favorite website to use is http://www.justfreestuff.com . This site has free products as well as sweepstakes listed. I am more selective in what I sign up for here. I primarily like to select just big companies that I am familiar with.

The purpose of Sweepstakes:
Companies will use Sweepstakes to promote their products or company. It also benefits them by:

1. Having your contact information.
2. Signing you up for their newsletter or updates.
3. Some companies may sell your name but I read that most of the reputable ones will not.
4. If you win, you will more than likely tell others about the company which will promote it via your family and friends.

The Rules of Sweepstakes.
10 Things to know to make entering easy for you.

1. The best ones to enter are the ones that give away a large number of prizes or give away the same prize lots of times. That way, you have more chances to win than those that just give one prize to one winner. Don’t get me wrong; you can win with companies that offer only a small number of prizes (like 1-25). I have won in those situations; but based on my wins, it’s where there are a large number of prizes where I’ve been most successful.

2. I like to enter with companies that I am familiar with. You are giving the companies your name and address so it’s imperative to be careful. If I don’t know you, I probably won’t enter.

3. Use Robo form. It’s an automatic system that will post your name, address, age and whatever you place on it. So if you are entering a lot of sweepstakes, this will make life easy to just click and add your info.

4. Join up with some Sweepstakes groups. I have three that are my favorite and I have won from all three groups. The benefit of these groups is that they search out companies for you and post them on their site. So it’s easy to pick from their list instead of searching on your own.

5. Be consistent. Fill out forms everyday for the daily wins, weekly wins and monthly. Studies have shown that people with 75 or more entries have a greater chance of winning. It only takes 15 minutes or less to fill out forms especially if you are using Robo-form.

6. Be organized. If you join Sweepstakes today, the work is already done for you. You just start a “My List” and add the Sweeps that you want to enter daily. Once you see the link to the site you will understand what I mean. With sites that are not organized for you, start a folder and add your sweeps in it.

7. Use a separate e-mail. Most companies will want you to join a mailing list, and send you advertisements and e-mails. Some may even send your name to other companies. This is where you may get a lot of needless spam. So you want to have that in another account so it won’t bombard your regular e-mail account.

8. Record your wins. I think this is good because it helps you to stay focused and encouraged. I was surprised at how many things that I have won.

9. Read testimonies. Reading about how other people won big and small prizes is another way to be motivated to keep trying. My motto is “somebody has to win, why can’t that someone be me!”

10. Don’t give up. Keep trying. There are big companies out there that have the money and resources to give to others. Why not benefit from their gifts.

by Ann