Always read and follow all the Rules and Regulations of any contest or sweepstakes you are entering.

Contest and sweepstakes hints and tips #1.

Article March 2004 © Copyright Lots of Luck Advertising

Sometimes the Rules and Regulations are referred to as the Terms and Conditions.

The Contest Rules and Regulations section should be your first stop for any contest or sweepstakes that you may be interested in entering.

Special emphasis should be on who is eligible to enter the contest or sweepstakes.  For example, there may be residency requirements, and/or age requirements.   There are simple ways how you may accidentally place yourself in a disqualifying position, if you don't read and follow the rules and regulations.

Visit www.lots-of-luck.com for more contest and sweepstakes hints and tips, as well as access to lots of contest and sweepstakes entries.

Other conditions to be aware of, and not to overlook if in the rules include:

• Requiring the completion of all requested information on the entry form.  Sometimes even not filling in something like your telephone number can disqualify your entry.
  
• Limitations on the number of entries per person, per household, per email address, and frequency.
  
• Requiring the submission of an UPC or UPC number from a participating product along with the entry form.
  
• Requiring the correct answer to a question.
  
• Mailing the entry form to the correct address (sometimes entries have multiple addresses listed in the rules for different purposes, for example one address to send the entry to, another address to request the full set of rules, and yet another address to request the list of winners).  Make sure that you use the appropriate address.
  
• Entering on the correct form.  Some contests and sweepstakes will only accept the original sponsor entry form.  Some contests and sweepstakes may accept a certain sized plain white paper entry only if an original entry form is not available.  Other contests and sweepstakes may accept a photocopy of the entry form before it is filled in.
  
• Filling in of the entry form information by hand.  Most contests and sweepstakes will not accept entries that are photocopies of a completed entry.

Even before you submit your entry, be familiar with all the rules so that your entry will not be disqualified.  After all, there is no reason to waste your time and energy on entering a contest or sweepstakes if your entry will not be valid.  Use your resources wisely.

These hints and tips articles are listed as guidelines only.  They are listed as information to help you to develop your own strategy in entering contests and sweepstakes. Click on a hints and tips article from the list below, and you will be taken to a more detailed page:

Contest and Sweepstakes Hints and Tips

1. Always read and follow all the Rules and Regulations of any contest or sweepstakes.
   
2. Keep a journal of your entries into contests and sweepstakes.
   
3. More important things to be aware of.
   
4. Where to find contests and sweepstakes.
   
5. A trend in rules and regulations.
   
6. Original entry forms only.
   
7. The best time to enter contests and sweepstakes.
   
8. Be aware of scams.
   
9. Dedicated contest and sweepstakes sites.
   
10. Automated entries.
    
11. The 'UPC'.
12. The four leaf clover.

---