As the year draws to a close, there’s still plenty of time to score big wins in sweepstakes! Whether you qualify as a pro or are a sweepstakes newcomer hoping to land your first prize, the final months of the year are a prime time to step up your strategies at the game of winning prizes. But how can you maximize your chances and make sure your name is drawn before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve? Here are ten insider tips to help you get ahead and increase your chances of winning before the year ends.
Target Low-Entry Contests
Not all sweepstakes are created equal and the key to winning big often lies in picking the right ones. Contests with fewer entries may offer a better shot at winning. These are sometimes contests or giveaways tied to smaller brands or local businesses. Instead of going for the massive national sweepstakes with thousands or millions of entries, focus on the ones where your chances are much higher because the pool of entries is smaller.
Use Entry Tracking Tools
If you’re serious about winning, entry tracking tools are a must. Digital tools like Sweepstakes Tracker or Winit allow you to track contests you’ve entered and remind you of deadlines. This ensures that you don’t miss out on any opportunities to enter before they close. With so many sweepstakes running at once, keeping track of them manually can be overwhelming, but a tracker makes it easy to stay organized and on top of your entries.
Increase Entries by Entering Daily
Many sweepstakes let you enter once each day, which can significantly improve your odds over time. Daily entry sweepstakes are gold mines for consistent winners. Instead of rushing in and entering one big contest and calling it a day, commit to entering daily, especially in those contests that allow it. The more you enter, the better your chances! Just keep in mind that many make you wait a full 24 hours before it’s considered a “new day”.
Set Up Alerts for New Contests
Make sure you’re among the first to know when a new sweepstakes goes live. Set up Google Alerts or use services like Online-Sweepstakes and Sweeps Atlas to get notifications for new contests in your preferred categories. Being one of the first entrants can often give you a leg up, especially if the contest has a limited time to enter. Timing can be everything, and being fast could land you that prize you’ve been eyeing.
Follow Sweepstakes Blogs and Social Media Accounts
Sweepstakes blogs and social media accounts are an incredible resource for finding fresh contests. Follow safe sites such as OKWow for finding those special contests that focus on sharing daily sweepstakes opportunities, as well as Instagram or Facebook pages dedicated to giving you tips and direct links to current giveaways. These pages often share insider info, such as when bonus entries are available or when a sweepstakes is about to end.
Enter Contests with Bonus Opportunities
Many sweepstakes offer bonus entries for social media sharing, referring friends, or completing extra tasks like signing up for newsletters. Always read the fine print to find out if there are extra ways to boost your entries. For example, sharing on Instagram or tweeting about the contest might earn you additional entries without much extra effort. These bonuses can stack up quickly, giving you a much greater chance of winning.
Stay Focused on Your Favorite Prizes
Entering every contest under the sun is tempting, but focusing on contests that offer prizes you actually want is a smart strategy. If you’re more passionate about a specific prize, like a dream vacation or a high-end tech gadget, it’s worth dedicating more time to those sweeps. A bit of laser focus on contests that align with your interests helps you stay motivated and can result in better quality entries, which increases your chances.
Use Auto-Fill for Faster Entries
Entering sweepstakes can take time, especially when you have to fill in the same details over and over again. Auto-fill tools are your best friend for saving time and ensuring that your entries go in quickly and correctly. Many web browsers like Chrome or Firefox offer free auto-fill options that can save your name, address and email for fast and accurate submissions. With these tools, you can breeze through contests without making mistakes, which will make your hard earned entry invalid.
Be Mindful of Expiration Dates
One of the easiest ways to miss out on a big win is not paying attention to sweepstakes expiration dates. Many people enter a contest and forget to double-check the closing date. This is where a tracker or reminder app comes in handy. By keeping track of when contests close, you can make sure you don’t miss any last-minute opportunities. Some contests may even give you the option to enter close to their deadline, so don’t be afraid to check in every day until the contest ends.
Participate in Seasonal and Holiday Contests
The end of the year is a wonderful time for holiday-themed giveaways. From Halloween to Thanksgiving to New Year’s, many brands ramp up their sweepstakes offerings in the final months. These contests tend to have creative themes and extremely exciting prizes. Be on the lookout for seasonal sweepstakes that can give you a chance to win big while also celebrating the holidays.
Ready to Start Winning?
With the year winding down, now’s the perfect time to supercharge your sweepstakes efforts. By focusing on smaller contests, using tracking tools, taking advantage of bonus opportunities and following safe sites that lead you straight to the gold in prizes, you can increase your chances of winning amazing prizes before the year ends. Whether you’re dreaming of a new car, a much needed getaway or an array of gift cards, the last few months of the year hold plenty of opportunities. Keep your entries organized, stay focused on your goals and watch as your efforts pay off. Just remember…whether you’re entering for fun or hoping to win your next dream prize, persistence is key. Stick with it and you might just find yourself celebrating an unexpected win before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve!
