Original entry forms only.

Contest and sweepstakes hints and tips #6.

Article September 2003 © Copyright Lots of Luck Advertising

This 'Hints and Tips' pertains to mail-in entries for contests and sweepstakes.  Do not send in any photocopied entry forms (or any entries that have been produced through mechanical means), other that the sponsor's original entry form.  If the rules state that you can photocopy the entry forms then by all means you can, but it is common practice with contests and sweepstakes not to allow them.

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.

The sponsors often will print a limited number of entry forms for a particular contest or sweepstakes.  This serves the purpose of limiting the total amount of entries that the sponsor will receive, as they have to process, handle, and store all the entries that are submitted to them.

Most contests and sweepstakes will state in the rules, that only the official entry form will be accepted, or a hand written entry on a plain piece of white paper.  The purpose of this rule is to try to make it fair for everyone, as not everyone has access to mechanical devices such as photocopiers, printers, and scanners.

There's the story many years ago, from a multinational corporation that manufactures and services high-speed printers, which took place before the common practice in contests and sweepstakes rules of accepting only handwritten entries on original entry forms.  Many years ago, rumour has it that there were a number of individuals across both Canada and America, who at their workplaces, were using high-speed printers to mass produce thousands of entry forms with their contestant information on it.  These individuals then didn't send in each entry separately, they mailed thousands of their entries in bulk to the sponsors of the contests and sweepstakes that had big prizes.  Obviously, these individuals stacked the deck in their favour by increasing their odds of being picked as the winner by having so many entries.  For example, if someone submits 2,000 entries in a contest that has 5,000 total entries submitted, they stand a much better chance of winning, than someone who only sent in 1 entry.  This also a reason why another common practice now in contests and sweepstakes rules, is to only allow one entry per envelope. It is all meant to give everyone who is eligible, a fair chance of being picked as the winner.

Many contests and sweepstakes now also have a rule, that puts a limit of only one entry per person. Some even limit it to only one entry per family or household. Again this is to try to give everyone who enters the same chance of winning.

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.

---