Hints on Finding Answers to Questions

If you are having difficulties finding the answers to contest questions, try using AskJeeves.com. Just type in the question you are looking to find the answer for, and Jeeves will try to find the answer for you. If your question is not in Jeeves' database, then you have a choice of different search engine results, based on the key words of your question.

If a contest poses a question where the answer is contained within the site, you should first look to see if the site has its own search engine. Try typing one or more keywords from the question into the search engine. If the site does not have its own search engine, start by looking through the pages that are linked from the main page first, before you go deeper into the site. Usually you won't have to look far to find most of the answers.

Always read the rules!

Always read the rules when entering contests and sweepstakes. Some allow you to enter once a day to increase your chances of winning, whilst others disqualify you if you enter more than once. Take care when entering not to press the Submit button more than once. Sometimes over a slow connection, the page confirming your entry will take a long time to appear in your browser, but the server will have registered your entry as soon as you hit the submit button, so don't be impatient! We don't recommend that you try to make multiple entries under different names, addresses and email addresses. Many sites log your IP address when you enter, and they will know if you have made multiple entries from the same computer.

Be aware that some sweepstakes sites require you to check back after the closing date and 'claim' your prize if you have won. If this is a requirement, it will be made clear on the entry page.

Most sites will ship your prize to you free of charge, but on some you may have to pay for postage and packaging if you live outside the locality. Sometimes, due to mailing laws, you may have to accept an alternative prize if you live in a certain area. All of these conditions should be made clear in the rules.





TIPS about Sweeps Posted Here----------------->

For those of you that feel it's too hard or you dont know where to start looking for new competitions here's some tips..

Start with a seach engine......

Next choose a search criteria.. I normally use something like this

Win Rules prize *whatever you'd like to search for specifics, general or brand .. whatever suits you*

examples :

Win Rules Prize weekly
Win Rules Prize logitech
Win Rules Prize $
Win Rules Prize digital camera
Win Rules Prize vacation
Win Rules Prize car


When you have located a comptetition go back to the MyCoupons Coupons and Sweepstakes Board and use the search facility to check and see if it has already been listed. search for key words like the prize name or part of the sweep title or website name

If it hasn't been posted...go ahead and post the details under a new post.

Try to provide as much information as possible. ie...can you enter it daily? when does it end? what prizes are given out? etc.

And don't forget....YOU CAN NEVER POST TOO MUCH!!!
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SETTING UP YOUR FAVORITES FOR YOUR SWEEPS.....


1. Set up some folders in your "favorites" by clicking Favorites, then Organize Favorites, then Create Folder

2. Create 14 folders

(as an example)

(a.) 1 folder named Sweepstakes
(b.) 1 folder named Win List
(c.) 12 folders with the names of the months
starting with 01. Jan
ending with 12. Dec

putting a number before a month keeps the dates and folders in the chronological order that they should be (Jan thru Dec); be sure all numbers have 2 digits (ex. 02.)

3. move the 12 folders with the names of the months into the Win List folder

4. move the Win List folder into the Sweepstakes folder.


for example...
If you entered a sweepstakes at iwon and a message said...come back on Jan 15, 2003 to see if you are a winner, you "Add" that web page to your favorites...

by clicking Favorites, Add to Favorites, double click Sweepstakes, double click Win List, then 01. Jan

When you click on 01. Jan the little folder should 'open' indicating it's ready to receive some information.

Clear the information that is listed in the Name: box and type something in there to help you remember the date and place that you should return to to see if you are a winner.


You can set a system for all sweepstakes.
Posted by McLeaderSandra on 05-05-2005 10:09 AM:

How To View ALL posts on the page.....

The default setting on the forum is to show the topics from the last 30 days.. to see more posts use the drop down menu at the bottom of the page.
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1) Be consistant

When you decide to enter contests take full advantage of the rules the sweepstake sponsor has established. In most sweepstakes, the odds of winning the sweepstake are determined by the number of entries. Make sure you are getting all the entries possible when multiple entries are allowed.

2) Be Organized

Web sites usually have two reasons for offering sweepstakes on their web sites. 1) they want to get your e-mail address so they can send you special offers and information. 2) they want more people to come to their site so you can see the information on their site.

In the case of e-mail, once you start entering sweepstakes, you will start receiving additional e-mail that you hadn't received before. This can provide an additional distraction to a normally hectic e-mail environment. If you do some planning prior to entering contests, you can limit the work load caused by increased sweepstakes related e-mail.

There are a number of possible solutions, the most popular being to use a separate e-mail account for sweepstake activities. If you're using a browser based e-mail program like HotMail or other free e-mail systems, then you will have to go to each account and administer them separately. If on the other hand, you're using a traditional POP3 type e-mail system, you can have your client (Eudora, Outlook, Netscape Communicator) go to mulitple e-mail providers, collect e-mail from each source and then sort the messages into different mail boxes. While this takes a little time to setup, it can greatly simplify your life in the end.

The best strategy that we have seen is that of filtering sweepstakes entries to a separate e-mail account or mailbox so 1) they are kept together, 2) they don't clutter your day-to-day e-mail inbox and 3) you can control when you want to spend time on your sweepstaking.

3) Choose your contests wisely

When you see big prizes and lots of advertising, you know that that contest will be having a lot of entries and your odds of winning will be rather low. On the other hand, when the prize is a set of costume grade jewelry earrings, you may have great odds of winning, but your prize may only be worth $5.00.

So decide what you want for a sweepstake strategy. If you only enter million dollar contests, be prepared to wait a long time for your first win. On the other hand if you enter low exposure contests, you may be winning frequently, but you bank account won't get much bigger.

One of the better strategies that we have seen is to use your own personal interest to determine what to enter. If you're an expectant mother, you probably aren't interested in winning a genuine mallard duck call, and conversely if your a golfing father with kids in college, you might not be too excited about winning a year's supply of diapers.
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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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How To View ALL posts on the page.....

The default setting on the forum is to show the topics from the last 30 days.. to see more posts use the drop down menu at the bottom of the page.
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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