Today I was reminded when Mary posted an article I had written about Sweepstakes Rules — that I really haven’t written much on this site about sweepstakes, lotteries, games of chance or other ways to win fun things on this blog.
If there is one rule that I like with regard to Winning… it’s enter, enter, enter, enter!!!
This week are you getting in your last minute entry for the $5000 a week for life from Publishers Clearing House?
Entry for that online is free… and your entry will have an equal chance to win as all the others, even if you don’t agree to buy or take any of their offers. So don’t fool yourself, no matter “how you read” it, they cannot give you any less of a chance (under the law) at winning if you decline all offers.
But then too… you might have just a good a chance at willing one of the multimillion jackpots offered by the Mega Million or PowerBalls lotteries. That would make you pretty much set for life …. right?
Most of the contests and sweepstakes you will enter like the ones mentioned above have odds that are astronomical, and during each run when, for example, the Mega Millions is up at say 300 million, people will quote the odds of this or that to give you a reality check….saying things like you’d have more of a chance in getting hit by lightening than actually winning.
And while I do not reqularly “buy” tickets for any of the different lotteries — I will admit, I do occasionally succumb to the lure and the dream. And truthfully because the odd are so much against you actually winning — it really is just a dream.
If you really want a chance to win there are a few things you can do to narrow your odds:
1) Enter sweepstakes that are limited in scope in some way. Only good in few states, only good for certain age groups, and only good for a short period of time. These are sometimes called local sweepstakes — and while it seems unlikely that your name might be pulled from that cardboard drop box at the courtesy desk in your local supermarket, car dealership, etc. you have a better change of winning that, then any nationally run sweepstakes.
But beware: Just as easily you could be entering to be harassed by phone calls from people trying to sell you time shares or other annoying things. Make sure you actually pay attention to what you are entering, and if you are also signing up for something — because as nice as it would be to win, it is not worth the time, and trouble if they only really offered a prize to get your name and address!
2) Enter sweepstakes that require a little extra work than just filling out a form. Maybe they want you to make a tweet, follow them on twitter, or facebook, maybe they want you to pin an item or post a picture of something, write a small essay, or play a game. Many people will skip these because of the time it takes them to enter, so the odds usually wind up better to win.
But beware: This never ever means paying any amount of money, and never ever means giving out more than simply your contact information.
3) Enter unconventional sweepstakes, the ones that require something “other than” filling out a form to enter — like radio sweepstakes. The ones where you are the ninth caller, or have to answer a specific trivia question to win. Because I don’t listen to the radio or really even know where my cell phone is at any one point in time — I don’t enter these — but I have been told they have great odds and many people I know have won fun things from CD’s to trips.
But beware: A lot of times you might not be able to read the rules on these to know if you qualify or could accept the prize before you are caught up in the moment and dialing the number given … and you may have to go to the radio station to actually get your prize or you may have to take the trip in two weeks – so be prepared for the need to potentially do that or decline the prize.
NEXT UP: OTHER WAYS TO UP YOUR ODDS OF WINNING
Read my article on why you should read the Sweepstakes Rules
You can check out some sweepstakes I post, as well as winners lists (right hand column) here: YESUWON.COM
Disclaimer: I have not been compensated in any way for this article, and all opinions contained herein are my own.