NOT WINNING ANYTHING? Tips on WHY:

[amyshulk]

My response to:

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

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.

 

[mpobrien40]

hey Ken just got done reading your post and am encouraged by it. It was like you were talking right to me. I'm relitivily new (a few months in now) but i have been persistent in doing the sweepstakes entries each and everyday. Yeah it's a little disscouraging but i know it'll pay off one day i mean i have nothing to lose right but time. I actually do enjoy it very much it's kind of exciting but anyway i appreciate it and hopefully my luck will change in the near future thanks again!! Michael O'Brien

 

[saraclare1]

Kudos to Amy on this great post! *bows to the advanced knowledge of a long timer* :cheers: :headbang: :wave: :sunny:

 

[luckyc66]

I have been sweeping non-stop for 6 months and am getting a little bit frustrated at not winning, so your post really helped. My question is: does declining the option to sign up for their newsletter, or e mail, etc. decrease your chances of winning the contest? I've often wondered that when I'm filling out the forms. It would be so easy for a company to only pull out the entrants who have agreed to receive their e mail's and randomly choosing a winner from THAT pool. Who would be the wiser?
Anybody ever wondered that as well? I usually decline their e mail list if I have the option.

 

[roseli]

First time log in here, check what is going on.

 

[amyshulk]

luckyc66 - re; newsletters...

It wouldn't post the quote, so I broke it down:



Originally Posted by rachael84;
Hi, I've got a question--does it increase your odds of winning if you select the option to receive their emails?

Originally Posted by pmeek ;
Signing up for newsletters DOES NOT increase your chances of winning. The only time that it would is if you receive an extra entry for signing up (alot of blog contests use this). Also although it does not increase your chances, some sweeps will require you to sign up for their newsletter to enter.


Originally Posted by Amy Shulkusky;
As judge noted, unless there is an asterisk { * } denoting something is required, it will not affect your chances of winning.

However - some sponsors will provide private links to enter special promos, or even 1x use codes via their newsletters, so pay attention to the comments and after awhile, you'll know which ones to sign up for!

 

[snowdollmn]

I just wanted to add how I enter sweeps. I started around last August when I was sick with the flu. I was feeling a bit down and have never, absolutely never, have won anything in my life. I think I've found a dollar bill on the ground once. I've always had to work hard for everything I've ever gotten. And I've known some people that have been so lucky.

So anyway, I decided to just start entering sweepstakes while sick in bed, not expecting to win anything. A little hopeful but not expecting. I am a super fast typer (former data-entry employee). So I entered probably at least 100 sweepstakes in one day. Then I did it again the next day. I forgot all about it as I got over my cold. I even forgot to check my email for a little while.

Then, I found out I had won! My first win was a $200 jacket that I absolutely love. I won a bunch of other things like organic bubble bath, cookbook and paella kit, olive oil gift set, a vacation (but no airfare, boo!), and some other little things.

I enter sweepstakes a few times a month, but at least 100 entries that day. I've won a big $250 gift basket of face/hair products from Entertainment Tonight, Speakers, water filter pitcher, grill accessories, makeup, popcorn gift card, price-is-right priority tickets, shaving cream, $50 Kohl's gift card, tshirt, stuffed animal, organic body clay, and recently the best! $200 Target Gift Card (just bought tons of groceries for my family!). I've won a couple other small things I can't think of right now.

I did however lose out on some good winning because I didn't check my email AND SPAM FOLDER! When you enter so many sweeps, your email is flooded with newsletters and spam. Sometimes its hard to tell which ones are "winning" emails. The $200 gift card I actually won in October and must have deleted the email thinking it was spam. Luckily the company contacted me a month later asking if I received the gift card. Then, they sent it as an egift card (which still didn't show up in my email until I searched for "target gift card" in my gmail account).

I've noticed that entering prizes for smaller companies, one entry sweeps, facebook sweeps - have worked the best for me. In the beginning it seemed like when I entered right before a sweepstakes ended, that I won. I'm sure just coincidence but i continue to do it anyway.

If I had more time, I'd enter sweepstakes at least once a week but I'm a self employed artist and have to work long 10-15 hour days to make a living. And sweepstakes are my "fun" time. But I'm pretty obsessive with it.

I say. Type fast, enter as many as you can. Try to forget about it. You probably won't win the ones you are really hoping for. Be hopeful. Try again.

Oh, and for Facebook entries. Make sure you go to the facebook page and click "like" or you won't win. You can't just fill out the form. I also do Giveaways for my artwork through Facebook and Twitter and if I draw a name that does not click "like" or follow me on facebook, I disqualify them immediately. It's simple and doesn't take long. I've noticed the last time I did a Giveaway. Only 20% of the people entered actually clicked "like" on facebook. I had to disqualify many people.

 

[snowdollmn]

Not unless it is a requirement for you to sign up for their newsletter. I'm assuming you are doing the Facebook Sweeps? I also do Giveaways for my Art through Facebook Wildfire Sweeps. The way I select a winner, is to log-in to my Wildfire account. And you click "select winner". It randomly selects a winner. I then look up the list of winners to see if the person has met the requirements (which is just to "like" my facebook page). If that person is disqualified. I cannot select another winner through Wildfire. I then have to enter all the email entrants into the random generator. And then reference again.

If the newsletter isn't a requirement. I really doubt the company (esp. big companies) are going to go through and see if you are signed up through their mail client. Takes too much time and there are so many entrants with these contests.

Good luck! Hope that helped

I have been sweeping non-stop for 6 months and am getting a little bit frustrated at not winning, so your post really helped. My question is: does declining the option to sign up for their newsletter, or e mail, etc. decrease your chances of winning the contest? I've often wondered that when I'm filling out the forms. It would be so easy for a company to only pull out the entrants who have agreed to receive their e mail's and randomly choosing a winner from THAT pool. Who would be the wiser?
Anybody ever wondered that as well? I usually decline their e mail list if I have the option.

 

[gagalyellow]

Really glad I read all of the post...I have been doing this really hardcore for about 6 months and nada! One entry, daily, instant win....nothing...I guess I just need to keep on rolling. It does get frustrating when you read about everyone else's win. I read that alot of people have success on the instant wins..what type of instant win? I am really glad I found Sweepstakes Advantage.not only the contest, but I enjoy reading the forums! Thanks guys!

 

[amyshulk]

Well said:

The timing of instant wins is pre-determined and they are randomly seeded throughout the term of the sweep. Let me repeat that so's there's no confusion - timing of instant wins is pre-determined and randomly seeded throughout the term of the sweep.

The first person to enter on or after the pre-determined winning time is the winner.

You're just as likely to win at 9PM as you are at 3AM.

If there are 10 prizes on a 30 day sweep, they'll be randomly seeded over the 30 day time frame. Random means random. Any possible combination of dates and times that add up to 10 wins in 30 days is possible.

There are exceptions, so read the rules carefully. There was a recent sweep for a rather large amount of cash. In the rules, it was stated that the winning times would be in fractions of a second. If you were the first to enter after the winning time you didn't win. You won only if you entered exactly on the winning time. Don't quote me, but I think the winning time was a tenth of a second. I don't think the sponsor expected to have anyone win.

The games that are occasionally part of instant win sweeps have absolutely no bearing on winning. They are there for entertainment purposes only. I always skip the games If given a choice, and move on to the next sweep.

Finally, the sponsors are free to do anything they please with the rules as long as it's legal. So, it's possible that there could be rare exceptions to the above. The sponsor puts up the prize(s) and the promoter organizes, promotes, writes the rules and runs the sweep in accordance with direction from the sponsor(s). Occasionally the sponsor and promoter are the same.

I started sweeping on another site almost 20 years ago. I've won $5,000 from Burger King on an instant and a Lenovo Laptop on a daily. My wife just won a $1,000 Laptop (Ultrabook) on a monthly. The sweep she won is still active and there are still two entry periods left. Here it is:

Microsoft.Com - Discovered Sweepstakes ( https://microsoft.promo.eprize.com/intelsweeps/:b=firefox15/ ) Timing: The Sweepstakes begins on September 5, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time("ET") and ends on January 31, 2013.
Prizes: FIVE (5) MONTHLY PRIZES (one (1) per Monthly Entry Period): An Intel Laptop (model determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion). Approximate Retail Value: $1,000.

The point is that wins are happening on all of the different entry types. Don't get hung up on instant wins. Focus on the prizes you want from all sources, and don’t get caught up in the immediate gratification of instant wins.

I lived in Calif. for a number of years. I didn't find that to be a disadvantage. The US population is heavier in the eastern time zones, so it stands to reason that you'd see more winners from there. It doesn't give them an advantage, it just means you'll see more winners from areas where the population is larger and more people are entering.

I've won so many times, from so many different types of sweeps over the years that I can't remember 'em all - or perhaps it's altzheimers, eh?

Welcome aboard & good luck

PS: Please excuse any mistakes since spell check has disappeared from the new Forum.

 

[amyshulk]

Really glad I read all of the post...I have been doing this really hardcore for about 6 months and nada! One entry, daily, instant win....nothing...I guess I just need to keep on rolling. It does get frustrating when you read about everyone else's win. I read that alot of people have success on the instant wins..what type of instant win? I am really glad I found Sweepstakes Advantage.not only the contest, but I enjoy reading the forums! Thanks guys!

IW's are *usually* daily play, but you need to check the LIMIT at the bottom of the listing.

As to which IW's to enter? While there is no guarantee, if you only want to see CONGRATS, look for those with lots of small prizes.

 

[amyshulk]

Wanting to win doesn't mean I will for sure win - it just means someone will for sure win what I'm entering for, and it *could* be me!!!

 

[amyshulk]

I've found that when people go through a dry spell they tend to focus on things that may be preventing them from winning - it's a natural reaction, especially when you used to win so easily!!! But, all the reasons people think of that may be preventing them from winning (more sweepers/cheaters/etc.) have minimal impact - it's really all about timing - either you have it or you don't.

 

[snowdollmn]

I've won quite a bit of things but NEVER through instant win (other than coupons which they probably give to everyone anyway). I never win through instant or daily or unlimited entries. Too many people enter and chances are harder. I enter weekly and monthly giveaways. I've won quite a bit of weekly giveaways. Most have been from smaller companies but have won from Entertainment Tonight and couple other bigger ones. I found out a couple days ago I won a $20 Shutterfly gift card and an expensive $250 door security system. The gift card was from a regular sweepstakes random selection and the security system was from a contest selection, based on why my dad deserves a security system for the holidays. First time I've won anything like that. I think it's worth entering these kinds of contests because most people don't spend that much time to write, but I don't always have the time to write a full essay. Anyway.. good luck! you'll win something soon!

Really glad I read all of the post...I have been doing this really hardcore for about 6 months and nada! One entry, daily, instant win....nothing...I guess I just need to keep on rolling. It does get frustrating when you read about everyone else's win. I read that alot of people have success on the instant wins..what type of instant win? I am really glad I found Sweepstakes Advantage.not only the contest, but I enjoy reading the forums! Thanks guys!

 

[amyshulk]

IW's got you down? Do you also enter the DP/WP/MP sweeps?

DP/WP/MP {Daily Prize/Weekly Prize/Monthly Prize} type sweeps notifiy winners and/or give out prizes during the sweeps instead of weeks or even months after it ends, so why not treat them like they are IW's?

Most DP/WP/MP sweeps are daily entry, and are usually through Facebook, but they can be any type of entry frequency and the platform can vary, so I use Daily Prize, Weekly Prize & Monthly Prize as my search terms.

I start out by opening the IW category, sorting them by Date Added, then I C&P Entry Date to Find on this page... {in IE} or FIND {in FF} to quickly go thru to see if there are any I haven't seen yet. As I go through them, I mark the unmarked SweepsCheck and save the ones I want into the category I choose.

When I'm done, I save, then I use the search box from the home page using daily prize, weekly prize, and/or monthly prize as keywords - this covers ALL categories, so I catch the 1x entry sweeps too!

I then repeat what I do in the IW category, but since I'd already sorted by Date Added, and Entry Date is already in FIND, it's just a matter of hitting PREVIOUS, or NEXT, depending on if I want to start at the top or at the bottom.

 

[amyshulk]

Wondering what potential winner means?

Does an email or phone call and the words "potential winner" have you thinking it's a scam?

I always use what info they give to see:

1} Was it listed at SA?
2} If yes, did I enter it?

If I get yes for both, I know I AM a winner, and "potential" is CYA for them - until you fill out the affy {affidavit} and they receive it {in their stated time frame} you have the potential to be the winner - so once they confirm you, you become the WINNER!!!

 

[amyshulk]

Creative Presentations

I saved this to post to comments:

jaydeed
I do see a lot of people complaining about creative presentations, which is entirely in their right. What they don't seem to realize is that yes, they do share the grand prize, and only one will award it, but many if not most have their own separate lesser prizes which are awarded from each sweep. This does not apply to the Hearst ones though

This is mine:

Creative Presentations
Noting a sweeps is a creative presentation *might* imply to new sweepers that a sponsor/sweeps is nefarious, when they tell you up front in the rules.
Creative Presentations are similar to multi-state lotteries and slots like "MegaBucks" where different locations offer an opportunity for the same prize(s). It's sometimes used to allow a bigger prize pool to be offered.

But curmudgeon lays it all out and connects the dots we assumed people would pick up on from what we wrote.


Whenever I see a sweeps is a creative presentation I try to find the other entry points, and share them if I find any, but like with the slots, you just have to hope the entry point you knew about ends up being the one they ultimately draw from!

A creative presentation is a series of sweeps (2 or more) where only one main prize is offered. Pick a figure and it's possible there could be that many sweeps participating.

When it's time to select a winner, only one sweep is randomly selected from all the sweeps that are participating. Then, the winner is randomly selected from those people who entered that particular sweep.

If you didn't know about the winning sweep and didn't enter it then you can't win.

The important thing to remember is that there is only one prize to be awarded.

Occasionally, there will be secondary or lesser prizes offered that are unique to a particular sweep. In other words, only the main prize is part of the creative presentation.

Lenovo is currently sponsoring 2 instant win sweeps. Both are creative presentations. One Grand Prize is $50,000 and the other is $10,000. Both offer smaller 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes that are unique to each sweep. Only the cash portion is part of the creative presentation.

There are a few sponsors that disclose all of the participating sweeps in the rules. Here is an excerpt from the rules of 3 current sweeps sponsored by Meredith Corp:

“Enter at www.recipe.com/winmakeover, www.parents.com/winmakeover, and www.bhg.com/winmakeover by submitting a completed online entry form.”

This is the exception rather than the rule. Most creative presentations don't disclose how many total sweeps are participating, so you have no way of knowing. It could be two or it could be fifty or more. Plus, new sweeps can be added at any time up until the expiration date.

I usually pass on creative presentations unless the rules disclose all of the participating sweeps.

 

[amyshulk]

If you enter at the same time every day and haven't won in a long time, change up when you enter - or even in what order you enter.

Keep in mind that while winning is the goal, interacting with other sweepers in the forums and comments is a side benefit that will make you feel like a winner!!!

Dry spells CAN be broken, so don't give up!!! However - if you are starting to feel burned out, take a break - sweeping should be fun, not a chore!!!

I save winning pages to paint, so when I'm blue, I can revisit past wins and reaffirm that I AM a winner - you'd be suprised how such a simple thing can really lift your spirits!!!

There is no secret formula for winning, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances. You'll see these same suggestions in other threads, but here's a quick list:

* 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.

* Enter lots of sweeps every day.

* Enter the sweeps you really like; skip the ones where the prize isn't a match for you.

* Use an autofill program to speed up your entry time.

* Use the SA tools. See the "Newbie" thread for more information.

* Enter skill sweeps that require more work because many people skip them. If you can write an essay, take a photo, or create a recipe, you're competing against a smaller group on entrants.

* Enter the Blog sweeps. They are less popular and have shorter entry periods. Your odds of winning are better.

* Read the Rules. You may disqualify yourself if you don't follow the guidelines.

* Enter as many times as the sweep allows.

* Visit the Forum and compare notes. We all want to win!

* Have fun, stay calm, and be grateful when you do win something. A win is a win.

~ Got a winning tip? We'd love to hear it!

One more tip I'd like to add...Enter a variety of sweepstakes..I really feel like variety is the key.

Enter a mix of regular, facebook, twitter, and pinterest sweepstakes. Enter dailies, weekly's, monthly's and instants and local stuff. Enter for big, small, and medium prizes.

Happy sweeping :sunny:

 

[amyshulk]

Timing on IW games

I've won at all different times - there is no "right time" to enter - unfortunately

BUT - be consistent, persistant, positive it IS possible to win, happy when others win (even when they win your prize :laughing: ) and you will time it right sooner or later - don't give up hope!!!

Just enter & forget it, try to mix it up a bit by entering at different times of day (if possible) and don't focus on IW's only - seeing you instantly lost every day can burn you out too quickly!

Also remember - just because you didn't win instantly doesn't mean you won't win from an IW - I've won the random draw GP from an IW I entered daily and lost on, and was awarded my laptop in a 2nd chance when the original winner either didn't confirm, or was perhaps DQ'd?

Timing on IW games is entirely random, so don't sweat it if today you can't hit - tomorrow is another day filled with possibilities!!!

 

[scarlet156]

hi guys. im new
started sweeping a little over a week ago.
i am being positive, i am forgetting it after i enter. i do return to all the daily ones and IWs
I am probably as excited as the winner when I read the winners circle. it gives me faith that it does happen
i am totally ethical. i only enter using one set of info no extra names/emails etc.

so obviously i havent won anything yet but i didnt think i would this soon.
i am persistent. i spend hours a day doing it. my job has some serious dead time and i work weird hrs so im up during odd times.

but i do have questions
i am getting tons of emails. im worried i dont recognize a winning email. i get tons of those "you are a potential winner, but its based on your participation" ... ie i have to join services to get whatever gift card. these have long been what i thought all Sweeps were, scams. so im hoping im not overlooking something legit.

i also am getting calls similar to the emails i just mentioned. like someone will say i won but i have to do xyz and join whatever to collect. i tell them all no thanks

i join lots of blog and facebook ones. can i please get a collective groan over rafflecopters. i think whoever designed those are sadists. seriously. after 45mins of adding 200 twitter accounts and 200 fb accounts and joining every rss feed, making blog posts etc dont they realize if everyone grabs the 235 available points the odds are the same as everyone voting once. and some of them are just for one book or $10. hell i'll pay them $10 for me not to have to invest an hr and do all of that lol

i do have another question. in the winners circle i notice people say they got whatever in the mail. does sweeps you win just send out the prize sometimes or do you ok all winnings via email prior to them being mailed out. because if they just show up that is awesome. it will be like christmas.

alot of sweeps i join dont end until the end of the month or longer so im being hopeful about that too

thanks everyone, im enjoying reading the forum

- Lynette