1. Journal format
The information that you should keep in the journal, includes:
- Contest or Sweepstakes name
- Closing date
- Limit for entries
- Date(s) that you entered
- How you entered (ie. mail-in entry, online entry, in-store barrel, etc)
- Draw date - optional
- Grand Prize available to be won - optional
- Details of prize(s) that you actually win from this contest or sweepstakes, including estimated $ value
2. Keeping track of contests and sweepstakes with single entries
As mentioned in an earlier course, some contests and sweepstakes only allow one entry per person. Usually additional entries by the same person disqualify all their entries. A journal is a good way to keep track of these single entries, so you can help keep yourself from being disqualified by seeing that you have already entered a specific contest or sweepstakes, and so not enter more than once.
3. Keeping track of closing dates
A journal may also save your time and energy, by helping to identifying contests and sweepstakes that have closed or are closing soon, where if you send in your entry it would be disqualified for being late. For example, if you see in your journal that a contest closes tomorrow and you have to use the postal service to mail your entry in to the other side of the country, it would be wise to give that entry a miss and save your postage, as your entry would most likely arrive late and would not be accepted into the draw.
With online contests and sweepstakes, sometimes websites may be a bit tardy in removing their submission page right after the closing date and time, so it may seem like it is still possible to enter. Regardless of the reasons why they are tardy, it would be best that you do not submit your entry after the closing date so that you don’t waste your time entering a contest or sweepstakes that has already closed.
4. As an aid against spammers
In today’s world, there are armies of spammers and identity thieves. Guard yourself. These ‘low lifes’ want to get at your personal and financial information. Be careful of whom you give your personal and financial information to. Sometimes spammers use a line like saying you won a prize, with the hopes of getting some personal or financial information from you. If a spammer is saying that you have won, but upon reviewing your Journal you find that that you have not entered their stated contest or sweepstakes, as you have no record of entering (and you can’t remember entering), then you might conclude that it is probably not a legitimate winner’s notification. If you are not sure, then ask someone you trust, or contact the same company but through a verifiable phone number, or contact the Better Business Bureau for assistance.
5. Keep track of your prize wins
Keep track of all your prize wins in your Journal. When you win and then record the prize you won, the date you won it, and from what contest or sweepstakes, it acts as a reinforcement for your ongoing determination to keep entering more contests and sweepstakes.
Keeping track of your prize wins and their estimated dollar value, also can put into perspective the value (aside from hope and fun) to you of entering contests and sweepstakes. You can compare your postage costs (from mail-in entries) and the time you spend in entering various contests and sweepstakes throughout the year, to the value of all the prizes you have won throughout the year. With a little bit of luck, your prize value will be higher than your costs and time… perhaps even significantly higher.
Summary of Course:
Luck 104 - Keep a Contest and Sweepstakes Journal
- Keep a record of all the contests and sweepstakes you enter, with a format of basic information like contest name, closing date, limit of entries, date(s) entered, how you entered, and prizes you won.
- Keep track of how many entries you send in per contest or sweepstakes, so you won't go over the limit.
- Keep track of closing dates, so you don't enter when it is too late.
- Keep track of your entries, to help keep from falling prey to scammers.
- Keep track of your prizes, and their value. Keeps you motivated to keep entering contests and sweepstakes.
End of Course "Luck 104".
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