NOT WINNING ANYTHING? Tips on WHY:

The Sweeper's Credo:

Enter and forget it.

Always be happy for those who win - even when they win "your" prize - and be positive you will win.

Sweeping is a hobby that is all about timing. Especially for those elusive instants! IF you enter at the exact right moment, you will win.

If not? Sad to say you won't. But I assure you - it's nothing personal, and those who win a lot don't have any "secrets" - they are just consistent, persistent, and patient.

I really believe that if you go into it thinking you can't win, well, you'll MAKE yourself right so often you'll start believing it!!!

I truly do believe you have to have a positive attitude - don't get hung up on what others are doing - just focus on entering, then move on to something else - like posting so we can get to know you!!!

So hang in there - and enter, enter, enter - and you'll be posting a win before you know it!!! And remember - every day brings new opportunities to win!!!
 
Most importantly:

Use SA correctly. You need to click the links and fill out the entry forms to enter. SweepsCheck is a great tool, but checking it off does not enter you in the sweepstakes.

If you use an autofill program - double check your info is correct. And ALWAYS double check the entry form before you submit

Entering too often - always check the category/rules to ensure you don't DQ yourself.

Not entering often enough - if you sweep 1 - 3 times a week, you will have less chances.

Confining yourself to only IW sweeps/1x entries/dailys/etc - mix it up & try to enter any and all categories.

Entering for those you aren't eligible - like: if you make up a company name to enter, you enter a sweeps that is only for residents of Canada, etc. Always check the restrictions.

Entering too few sweeps - I'm not suggesting you enter for prizes you don't want/can't regift, but don't restrict yourself either!

Entering sweeps with very few prizes - even though that seems to be the trend of late, try to enter sweeps with LOTS of prizes.
 
I have found that its kind of a numbers game, the more you put yourself out there the better chance you have of winning something. Companies promote sweepstakes all the time it's just a matter of finding the right ones you want to subscribe to and going to it!
 
amyshulk said:
Ways I deal with the frustration of a dry spell:

1} I get outside of my own head by helping others. Either by voting, answering questions, or just getting a little silly. :crazytongue: :laughing:

2} I avoid the winners circle. It's not that I'm not happy for other members, it's just that I don't need the constant reminder that I'm not one of them - for now. :crazytongue:

3} I hard charge on sweeps, going through all the categories and getting a sense of satisfaction/accomplishment when I get all caught up.

4} I take a break from the computer, since it's gone from being fun to being a chore.

If you keep pushing yourself to enter and things don't change, you will most likely burn out and quit, whereas if you make a decision to take a break for a day or 2, you are still in control.

I *usually* find I return after my mini "vacation" that I'm refreshed and can see things more clearly, so the little things don't get to me, and I enjoy instead of dreading entering my sweeps. :sunny:
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PLUS - recent winners threads are yet another reminder that winning can happen without you - members are reporting they quit entering to avoid burnout/because they were losing and returned and hit/were notified they won!!!

Some newly won from IW's {they succeeded in changing their timing to a winning run} while others report being notified from past promos, or of prizes just showing up!

So... here you think you just can't win, when all that time they just haven't drawn/notified you of a win/wins from promos you entered weeks/months ago!!!
 
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Here's my little secret for winning prizes. I look for blog giveaways that haven't been listed on SA or other contest sites by going to google blog search, which is down right now, so regular google then, and under tools select : time: past week. I then search for what I want to win, such as " blog giveaway trip." The huge group giveaways aren't worth my time, and clogging up my facebook and twitter so I enter giveaways with only a few options for entries. I have noticed that the ones where I have to email the blog host for an entry puts the odds most in my favor. I search those out by googling: giveaway subject line. I just won a Fandango gift card that way.
 
Sweepstakes Plus

sweepsadv said:
Just wanted to add that if you consider upgrading to Sweepstakes Plus you can use Custom My Sweepstakes to build as many Custom Entry Sweepstakes categories as you wish. Such as "Blogs - Entry Daily" or "Instant Win - Play in the A.M." .

When you use the Custom Categories effectively you increase your odds of winning because you are being more precise with your
entries.

You can upgrade here: Contests Sweepstakes | Sweepstakes Packages

Thank you!

-Ken
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for posting this i really appreciate the encouragement as i have been 'sweeping' for about a year an a half or so and have won small things but nothing big as of yet. Your outline is great in staying on track. I actually enjoy entering contests and instant wins it's fun haha anyway that's exactly what i do i enter and forget but in the back of mind i'm like wow one day out of the blue i just may win something or something big. I always try and share my small winnings with others especially my family. Anyway thanks again for the info and may your winnings abound in the future take care..Michael
 
Break time!!!

amyshulk said:
It wasn't until after I slacked off, started skipping 1 day a week, then sometimes days in a row, that I finally hit a big GP, so I firmly believe a break is a good thing!!!

As to the head games? Distance does help, but IMHO, it all comes down to an attitude adjustment - when I was 19, I joined the USN. I had dropped out of HS at 16, and had worked, off and on, since about 12 {babysitting} so I thought I had my head on straight.

It wasn't until boot camp that I realized most of my problems were self inflicted and a simple attitude adjustment changed everything for me!

1. Nobody owes you anything.
2. What you prioritize means nothing to others.
3. If you want it done right, do it yourself.
4. Once you learn to look to yourself, trust your own judgement, then people you CAN count on will enter and want to be a part of your life.

Then again, tht's MY experience. YMMV :crazytongue: :whistle:
Click to expand...
 
Reminder to self...........


amyshulk said:
:crazytongue: Things I try to remember:

1] Sweeping is not a normal hobby - most hobbies you get out what you put in. :whistle:

2] While there is no "rule" that entering guarantees a win, therefore entering more guarantees you will win more, it's more like the Lottery, where ya gotta play it to win it!

3] Getting wound up over someone else winning that prize you had your heart set on? So not worth it, unless you own stock in TUMS or something! :crazytongue:

4] Same as 3 but it's because a newbie hit a biggie while you have been toiling way for YEARS. It WILL happen. This is where you decide - fun hobby where you can be happy for others, or ulcer inducing? I pick A :laughing:
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The most important thing is that you enjoy this hobby.


F.A.C.T.S;


amyshulk said:
In a slump? Think horses, not zebras - think FACTS:

1} Frequency. If a sweeps allows daily entry, try to enter every day.
2} Amount. If you just enter a few big name sweeps, chances are you won't win. Add some variety.
3} Control. Do some cheat? Yes. But they are outliers, and sponsors do a good job of weeding them out.
4} Timing. Important for IW sweeps. If yours is off, you won't win. Change up when/how you enter.
5} Stress. Is thinking about not winning ruining your day? Take a break.

The most important thing is that you enjoy this hobby.

If your focus is negative, your outcome will {likely} be negative.

Accept that you control how you feel, and that you CAN control how you feel - focus on the positive, don't worry what others do or win, and most of all, don't let sweeping take over your life!
Click to expand...
 
Thanks, doll38.

The article covers a whole lot, and was quite good, but a couple of things I noticed - (no mention of SA :(), one sweeper was mentioned as a fast typist, but there was no mention at all of acceptable form fillers which most hard-core sweepers probably use, the tax information was incomplete, and a few other things.

Overall very good!

doll38 said:
I came across this article about sweeping, it's really good too:

http://racked.com/archives/2014/10/29/online-sweepstakes-contests-sweepers.php
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I use to win 2-3 times on average a month with the raffles,but now I don't win at all..I pretty much enter more than the average person,and I have never cheated on a raffle ever!!..Is it possible im on some black list?.how can i find out?...there is also a facebook page that i was sent to post a comment where i am subscibed,but I am blocked from posting..why i dont know,and it's strange,so no entry for me on that part of the form..

Something going on for sure..either it's more competitive than ever,or they are tossing my name when pulled...If somebody knows anything please let me know...If somebody is saying im cheating? they are freaking lying and i want to know who they are...all i was doing was entering a lots of raffles because i had time..thats why i was winning more..it's really making me paranoid..

I do however use multiple twitter because nobody follows back, i get cut off at 2000 follows..if im being dinged for the followers who wont follow me back?...you're being a little silly,and you need to tell me i can or cant do it that way...i dont have to do these raffles at all,but if my valid entries are being tossed?...you're cheating me!

I really feel like im wasting my time on these now,and im paranoid also!
 
kelloggss - I can't answer to your facebook & twitter issues but did you read this thread? I ask because it seems you are taking this very personal.

The Sweeper's Credo:

Enter and forget it.

Always be happy for those who win - even when they win "your" prize - and be positive you will win.

Sweeping is a hobby that is all about timing. Especially for those elusive instants! IF you enter at the exact right moment, you will win.

If not? Sad to say you won't. But I assure you - it's nothing personal, and those who win a lot don't have any "secrets" - they are just consistent, persistent, and patient.

I really believe that if you go into it thinking you can't win, well, you'll MAKE yourself right so often you'll start believing it!!!

I truly do believe you have to have a positive attitude - don't get hung up on what others are doing - just focus on entering, then move on to something else - like posting so we can get to know you!!!

So hang in there - and enter, enter, enter - and you'll be posting a win before you know it!!! And remember - every day brings new opportunities to win!!!
 
posting to get the negative OUT of you WILL help - it's why I encourage people to do so, but not to go overboard lest they get in a downward spiral
 
In a slump? Think horses, not zebras - think FACTS

amyshulk said:
In a slump? Think horses, not zebras - think FACTS:

1} Frequency. If a sweeps allows daily entry, try to enter every day.
2} Amount. If you just enter a few big name sweeps, chances are you won't win. Add some variety.
3} Control. Do some cheat? Yes. But they are outliers, and sponsors do a good job of weeding them out.
4} Timing. Important for IW sweeps. If yours is off, you won't win. Change up when/how you enter.
5} Stress. Is thinking about not winning ruining your day? Take a break.

The most important thing is that you enjoy this hobby.

If your focus is negative, your outcome will {likely} be negative.

Accept that you control how you feel, and that you CAN control how you feel - focus on the positive, don't worry what others do or win, and most of all, don't let sweeping take over your life!
Click to expand...
 
My response to:

jimysue said:
Wow, never have I entered so many sweeps and winning absolutely nada. Do you suppose there are lots more folks entering sweeps???
Just wondering??
Click to expand...


I've heard/read variations on this since 2004, when I rediscovered sweeping. I think it's because we can't see the whole picture, so when the piece we can see changes, we assume outside influence.

The sweeps are the sweeps - your chances really don't change, just your timing does, so you'll have winning and losing streaks, all while those other things fluctuate;

new sweepers swelling the ranks vs. those that quit because they don't win right off.
Cheaters/hackers discovering a new system vs. new security protocols,
etc. etc.
 
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