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.
Entering ONLY for big ticket prizes - similar to too few prizes, but these are usually "Creative Presentations" - which means NUMEROUS sponsors give away ONE major prize.
Using numerous email addys to target a few IW's - besides being unethical, it's a good way to get yourself DQ'ed, and possibly blackballed by ALL of the JA's - I would assume they "talk" to each other and share info?
FYI - Big companies don't care where you hear about their sweeps. Smaller companies are looking for advertisement and customer loyalty.
I can see where a small business might resent sweepers. Many times their prizes are offered for sale or trade on sweeps sites or ridiculed in some forums.
If there is a newsletter involved, many sweepers will subscribe to enter the sweep and then report the newsletter as spam. This causes some problems for the site owner.
I think we as sweepers need to take responsibility for our actions.
If none of the above applies?
The key to enjoying this hobby is to enter and forget it - DON'T keep track of those you lost on, it will only depress you!!! Be helpful where you can - UPC's, trivia answers, etc - it WILL make a difference!!!
Keep winning emails, winning pages {saved to paint} to remind you that you CAN win!!!
With hubby's rotating shift, I've entered at all different times of day and night. I've had fabulous runs of hitting instants, but since I never enter at the same time each day, it was less a time thing, and more of a timing thing.
I've also had some dry spells - I just kept entering! Trust me, persistence WILL pay off eventually, but you have to enter to win!!!
Don't confine yourself to big ticket wins, enter for some smaller prizes too - winning on those will restore your confidence in yourself that you CAN win, and will renew your faith in sweeping!
Try to take the focus off your inability to win right now, and just Enter and Forget it!!! I KNOW it sounds corny, but if you focus on the positive, positive WILL come!!!
Negative thinking will only mess you up, on your timing and attitude, and ENSURE you always lose so 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
We can't all be winners, all of the time, and yes, it IS frustrating to see everyone else winning when we can't seem to hit but don't give up...
I started sweeping online in Feb 2004 and JUST won a BIGGIE at the beginning of 2010 {$10,000 GP}!!!
So I not only post, I truly believe in:
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!!!
Hang in there - and enter, enter, enter - you'll be posting a win before you know it!!! And remember - every day brings new opportunities to win!!!
