Help! Am I doing something wrong?

N

ninerfan

New member
:cry: OK, I have been sweeping now for almost 4 months and haven't won a single thing! I am only a "free" member of SA. I am constantly seeing others who are winning, but they are always "gold" or other kinds of paying members. Is that the trick? Or am I just unlucky??? I enter about 100 dailies and try about 20 or so instant wins every day, as well as the one-time entries. I am getting discouraged... Any tips?? Thanks and good luck to all :)
 
:wave: No, you are NOT doing anything wrong. Sweeping is a matter of timing and just plain old luck. It takes persistance and patience. As far as the gold, silver etc members, they are not the paying members. Those designations refer to the number of posts. The only paying members are the Plus members, which is a relatively new thing. (And by the way, I am a Plus member and I love it) Another thing to remember is that some of the sweeps you have been entering have probably not ended yet and no one can win til its over. And those that have ended, lots of times they don't announce the winners for up to a month or more after the sweeps is over. And sometimes a prize will just show up at your door, as much as 2 months or so after the sweeps has ended. Just don't give up!! This is a great hobby and I think it is well worth my time. And don't dwell on not winning ... as one of our members says, "enter it and forget it". That is great advice. I truely believe that karma, or whatever you may want to call it, can mess you up is you think you will never win. Believe you will win, and YOU WILL WIN! Just keep at it and before you know it you will be posting wins! Good Luck!!
 
:wave:

You are not alone! You are not the first person to feel this way or to post this question! Keep entering regularly and you will win eventually.

I'm going to look around the forum and give you a few links to useful information in answer to your questions.

Here are two links to get you started. If you can't link to them, you can find the discussions in:
"Questions & Answers," page 2, "Not Winning"
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/not-winning-t61392.0.html

and
"Questions & Answers," page 2, at the top, "SA Features - How to."
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/sa-features-how-to-t33032.0.html


ninerfan said:
:cry: I am only a "free" member of SA. I am constantly seeing others who are winning, but they are always "gold" or other kinds of paying members. Is that the trick? Or am I just unlucky???
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To answer the portion above~~ I'm not exactly sure what Gold, Silver, Bronze, whatever, means. It has to do with the number of posts a person has made, I think. I never bother to look at that. It has nothing to do with entering sweeps or winning.

This is very important! You mention "paying members." EVERYONE on SA and SP sees the same sweepstakes listings. There are no exclusive listings for paying members. Recently, everyone has the option to upgrade their free membership (and there is a 3-day free trial available to test it out) to Sweeps Plus. The difference between SA and SP is that on SP, you have the same wonderful sweeping tools as on SA, PLUS some additional features (not additional sweeps). The additional features include the option to customize your My Sweeps lists.

ninerfan said:
I am getting discouraged... Any tips?? Thanks and good luck to all :)
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Many people have commented that it takes about 4 months before you win anything. You can enter daily, but sweeps have future expiration dates, then it takes time for winners to be selected, verified, contacted, and prizes sent. It is good if you have a lot of patience. Don't give up!

Also, you can try to look for sweeps with lots of prizes and enter those, so you can win and feel good and motivated to continue. Another thing people do is send for freebies. There are lots listed in the Freebie Forum.

I'm going to look around for more posts, including "Amy's credo" which is good to review, even if you already read it.

Please look around the forum also, because you just may uncover the kind of advice and inspiration that strikes you.
 
Judge has provided a great summary and excellent info, in a short time, while I was typing away! Thanks! :)

I would add two things.

1. Read the Newbies thread in the forum. Especially the first item, by Wolfie, "How to Get Started Without Overwhelming Yourself" and "Re: Sweepstakes Tips and Advice" by Amy Shulkusky.

2. Use Roboform, if you are not already doing so. There is abundant advice about Roboform also in the forums.

If you have additional questions, ask!!

Good luck, and be sure to post and let us know when you do win! :sunny:
 
arrtup3 said:
Judge has provided a great summary and excellent info, in a short time, while I was typing away! Thanks! :)
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You are quite welcome! :) I always feel bad when someone gets discouraged :cry: because I know from experience that is takes time for the wins to start coming in. And there is nothing better than that winning email, phone call, FedEX/UPS letter or suprise box on your porch! I have been doing this for years now, started back in the days of snail mail sweeps, and I still get a bit giddy :crazytongue: when I win, no matter what the prize!
 
judge said:
and I still get a bit giddy :crazytongue: when I win, no matter what the prize!
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I know what you mean! Winning is fun, and we sure can all use more positive moments in our lives, no matter what the prize. :sunny:
 
I feel so much better! Thanks guys for replying with all the great advice! I guess I was getting a little impatient!! You better believe you'll hear from me if I win! Thanks again :)
 
***C&P ALERT*** If you get annoyed with me posting this yet again. I warned you, lol!!! :whistle:


Sweeping is a hobby that is all about timing. Especially for those elusive instants! IF you enter at the exact right moment, you will win. If not? Sad to say you won't. But I assure you - it's nothing personal, and those who win a lot don't have any "secrets" - they are just consistent, persistent, and patient.

The sweepers credo? Enter and forget it.

Always be happy for those that win - even when they win "your" prize :crazytongue: - and be positive you will win.

Reminding myself of the sweepers credo is how I keep my positive attitude, and my sanity.

I really believe that if you go into it thinking you can't win, well, you'll MAKE yourself right so often you'll start believing it!!! I truly do believe you have to have a positive attitude - don't get hung up on what others are doing - just focus on entering, then move on to something else - like posting so we can get to know you!!!

Hang in there - and enter, enter, enter - you'll be posting a win before you know it!!! And remember - every day brings new opportunities to win!!!
 
I started online sweeping in 1998. There weren't nearly as many sweepstakes then as there are now. I started with 50 then 100 then 150. All were hand-typed, because Roboform didn't come out for another year. It took six months for me to win my first prize.

My sweepstakes philosophy is simple and works very well for me.

Use Roboform Pro and know how to use it correctly (most people don't).

Enter only for prizes you need, want, or can use.

Then enter those sweepstakes like daily's, weekly, monthly's, etc., diligently and consistently.

Most importantly, how much you win will depend on how much you enter. I enter somewhere around 1,000 sweepstakes per day, and the prizes are practically daily. That is, of course, is including small prizes; i.e. the past few days, I got a book, a dvd, and anti-aging serum. :)
 
I might add, it really does not matter if you are a gold, plus, free or whatever member, I am a plus member now, but have won many many prizes as a free member, including my biggest prize of a 18ft trition bass boat, 28,500, So while being a plus member does make entering faster, easier and you enter more sweeps because better tools, which in the long run does increase your chances at winning, You will not win because you are a paying or free member, it does not make you win or lose in its self. hope I made that clear enough to understand, if someone else can say it clearer please feel free to do so, lol my degree is not in english.
 
Amy Shulkusky said:
***C&P ALERT*** If you get annoyed with me posting this yet again. I warned you, lol!!! :whistle:


Sweeping is a hobby that is all about timing. Especially for those elusive instants! IF you enter at the exact right moment, you will win. If not? Sad to say you won't. But I assure you - it's nothing personal, and those who win a lot don't have any "secrets" - they are just consistent, persistent, and patient.

The sweepers credo? Enter and forget it.

Always be happy for those that win - even when they win "your" prize :crazytongue: - and be positive you will win.

Reminding myself of the sweepers credo is how I keep my positive attitude, and my sanity.

I really believe that if you go into it thinking you can't win, well, you'll MAKE yourself right so often you'll start believing it!!! I truly do believe you have to have a positive attitude - don't get hung up on what others are doing - just focus on entering, then move on to something else - like posting so we can get to know you!!!

Hang in there - and enter, enter, enter - you'll be posting a win before you know it!!! And remember - every day brings new opportunities to win!!!
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I'm going to delete every single copy of the sweepers credo just so I don't have to see "sweepers credo" anymore. :laughing: Perhaps, instead of reminding us of the sweepers creedo :fired:, you can use example, such as a member that has been sweeping for 6 years, patient and persistent, finally won a gp of $10,000 CASH! I like that much better! :headbang: Congrats Amy!
 
Wolfie said:
I'm going to delete every single copy of the sweepers credo just so I don't have to see "sweepers credo" anymore. :laughing: Perhaps, instead of reminding us of the sweepers creedo :fired:, you can use example, such as a member that has been sweeping for 6 years, patient and persistent, finally won a gp of $10,000 CASH! I like that much better! :headbang: Congrats Amy!
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Ack!!! No no no Mo!!! :nono: :cry:

With not only having to hunt & peck {I just can't seem to remember where the dang keys are!!! :nono: :cry: :cussing:} but also having to use 2 keyboards, I'd have to skip posting or I'd never get to my sweeps...

AHA - so that's your goal wench?!?!?!? Nice try!!! :laughing:
 
I have only been sweeping for about two and a half months now. I am a bronze member but just became one. I have already won a few great prizes and was really surprised. But I do enter regularly and almost everyday if I have time. I was kind of trying it as an experiment at first but became hooked after I won a 500$ give card. :) It's all about probability. The more you enter the more likely you are to win. I love this hobby and will continue to enter. :popcorn: Dont get discouraged!
 
Just hang in there and have faith. Your wins will soon come. Have you tried the Pace Foods sweepstakes? It's an instant win. A LOT of people win on that one. It may not be a big prize but at least it's a nice win. Just search under the instant sweepstakes for Pace Foods.com - Hand Pick and Win. Good Luck and keep us posted on your first win :wave:
 
:sunny: Looks like you have been given alot of great advise! Now get out there, start entering and THINK POSITIVE!!
 
Gosh You make new friends and have a great hobby. The prizes are the extra topping on cake. They will come if you enter. I remember the days when I kept bugging a sponsor about a prize because it was one of my first. It finally came 2 months later but the postmark clearly stated they did send it when they said they would. It was torn and dirty and had caught in a postal machine. I felt foolish. I have it on right now and it's great! Comfy "Good Morning Bacon" Thank You Holiday Inn! Nice T shirt :sunny: Sorry I was such a pest. It's so nice to sleep in.
 
lidarkside said:
I started online sweeping in 1998. There weren't nearly as many sweepstakes then as there are now. I started with 50 then 100 then 150. All were hand-typed, because Roboform didn't come out for another year. It took six months for me to win my first prize.

My sweepstakes philosophy is simple and works very well for me.

Use Roboform Pro and know how to use it correctly (most people don't).

Enter only for prizes you need, want, or can use.

Then enter those sweepstakes like daily's, weekly, monthly's, etc., diligently and consistently.

Most importantly, how much you win will depend on how much you enter. I enter somewhere around 1,000 sweepstakes per day, and the prizes are practically daily. That is, of course, is including small prizes; i.e. the past few days, I got a book, a dvd, and anti-aging serum. :)
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1,000 a day??? HOLY COW! Please, could you give a few tips on how you accomplish that and about how many hours a day do you devote to sweeping?
 
moon_magick78 said:
1,000 a day??? HOLY COW! Please, could you give a few tips on how you accomplish that and about how many hours a day do you devote to sweeping?
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Go to the computer help section of the forum. There are a couple of threads on Roboform about how to use it correctly.

I only timed it once when I was able to stay on the computer without leaving, and it took me about 3 1/2 hours at that time to go through my daily's plus the time to go through the newly posted sweepstakes from the day before. There is also typing involved on flash forms, captcha codes, etc., and I type 100+ words per minute.

My normal day, though, with my children and housework, is going back and forth throughout the day with the computer.
 
I probably come close to that amount too, hundreds anyway and couldn't do it without the organization tools of SA. Most while having my morning coffee and answering emails. Then since I work from home, while I wait for students if I have time. Then a few more before I turn in at night. Everyday, unless I'm really busy then just do the daily prizes or bigger prizes. Fun hobby, it's a way to unwind.
My thought on it is, I spend as much time as my friend does on xbox live but get great stuff in the mail and has actually led to friendships and opportunities. Discovered some products I really like and in these tough times things I can really use.
I try to look at it this way, if I win a gift it was meant to be and grateful to be blessed. If I don't, be happy for the person it was meant for. Now I'm wishing you get something really special in the mail!!
:sunny:



lidarkside said:
moon_magick78 said:
1,000 a day??? HOLY COW! Please, could you give a few tips on how you accomplish that and about how many hours a day do you devote to sweeping?
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