4) Giving good information
The main reason that companies run on-line contests is so they can find out what type of people come to their web site. In exchange for the information that your providing them they are putting up valuable contest prizes. Most contest administrators take a fairly strict stand on requiring accurate information. This means that if you were to enter a contest multiple times with inconsistent information a large number of your entries may be disqualified. In addition, a large number of contests will disqualify entries if there is any missing information. In order to have the best chance of winning it behooves you to completely and accurately fill out all the information.
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Prizes:

Prizes can take many forms depending on the promoter and the promotion offered. Prizes can yield: money, vehicles, boats, furniture, clothing, toys, computers, software, novelty items, to miscellaneous fare. Generally anything that we can use and hold valuable in our lives a promoter can offer as a sweepstakes.


Reading The Rules:

Reading the rules will ensure satisfaction of playing the sweepstakes, contests, lotto games, and Instant win games correctly. Now you’re asking what should I look for in that jargon mess of rules? Three things, any excluded locations, age restrictions, frequency of entries. Excluded locations can be US States, Territories, and/or a Canadian Province. Usually the voided locales are Puerto Rico (Page Ranking) and Quebec. With the secondary US States of: Florida (FL), New York (NY), and Rhode Island (RI) that pop up most frequently as voided locations. There may be other US States, however best to locate this information under the “Eligibility” section of the rules page.



Second, age restrictions often also under the “Eligibility” section will denote which age groups are excluded, or may be the only ones to partake of the sweepstakes. I.E. Usually for legal age adults the age restrictions are 18+ or 21+. But, there are some promoters that allow anyone 13+ of age to play the sweepstakes. There may also be times that certain sweepstakes are only open to teenagers or toddler aged children. Where in the latter case they’re parents or legal guardians enter them into the promotion.



For the third point I’ll cover in the next category of “Frequency of Entries”.


Frequency of Entries:

For each sweepstakes, contest, lotto game, or instant win game there is a defined number of times one may enter. To clarify this point it is best to always “check the rules”. Now the best place to find this information is under the “How to Enter” section of the rules page. For example there may be promotions that are: one time, daily entries, weekly, monthly, unlimited, odd entry submission (such as watching TV, listening to a radio station, etc…), or postal snail mail. There may be times also that the frequency of entering a promotion isn’t exclusively in the “How to Enter” section of the rules page.

That’s what I call the “Hunt & Peck” session of looking out in a scanning manner for keywords. That will denote the frequency of entries such as: one time, per day, X number of entries, etc…

Which such information can be usually always found at the very top in the “Eligibility or How to Enter” sections of the rules. If not the “Hunt & Peck” session will demand that you look in the middle body of the rules page. However once you reach the lower bottom of the rules page. You’ve unfortunately over shot that detail and have to start over. After bemoaning you’re strained eyes, neck muscles, and any colorful language that was expressed.




Filling Out the Forms:


Now for the most part on a majority basis their will always be some manual typing involved.

Unless you’re using your fingers, “Roboform”, or another similar auto-fill information program these will be the main methods to enter an online promotion.
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Tips & Tricks:

Here are some helpful tips to use while enjoying the common hobby we share.

1) When filling out a form manually Windows Internet Explorer offers a double click option. Where previously entered information can be clicked into place. This can avoid excessive manual typing when filling out a promotional form. Best to always double click before you type to make sure.

2) When playing a daily sweepstakes bookmark the promotion. With the subject title including the end date of the daily sweepstakes. This way you can avoid guessing when a sweepstakes ends.

3) Instant win games actually provide better odds of winning. Than the other types of promotions. Especially the daily category of Instant win games that offer repeat plays each day. So keep a keen eye out for this type of promotion.



4) When playing a sweepstakes please make sure you fall under the category of demographics. Such as some are just for: alcohol drinkers, smokers, political activism, children, and couples about to be married. Unless these promotions interest you, you’ll most likely enter a promotion of no interest whatsoever to you personally.


5) Take note when entering these free promotions you’re handing over pertinent marketing information to these promoters. When filling out a form always be aware of any boxes to check or uncheck. So as to not receive unnecessary solicited information or being contacted personally via the phone, email, or postal snail mail.
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Helpful Hints

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Helpful Hints
Ok, as we all know some of these sweeps, instant wins and daily contests need UPCS or CODES ...

If you POST one these and haev the above mentioned CODE and or UPC please share with everyone else .. or if you come across one then post it !

Also , make sure that your AUTO FILL is turned on .. I use GOOGLE auto fill .. makes filling out all these forms much easier ... you will still have enter gender and bday ...
It is simple to use just click the auto fill button on your google tool bat and BAM ! It is filled in !!

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ShoppingBoards Administrator