Hi fellow sweepers! Can you give me some insight on how long it took y’all to win for the first time? I’ve been plugging away for about a month and don’t want to get discouraged. The only thing thing that is discouraging me so far is that none of the referral links I’ve sent friends have been used so I feel like I’m missing out on so many entries. Any advice? Appreciate you all.
New here need advice please :)
- Thread starter rmr2211
- Start date
Personally, I tend to stay away from sweeps that award prizes to people with the most shares or referrals as then it becomes a popularity contest. I also dislike bothering family and friends with shares, so unless I know its something that someone truly wishes to have, I probably won't share it. It also depends on what you're entering and what you wish to win. It's easy to win "something", but it can be a little more involved to win something you truly wish to win, especially if its a big prize because that usually indicates lots of other people entering and wishing to win as well. I recommend spreading out your entries from short term sweeps to long term sweeps. Single entry sweeps provide you with the same opportunity as everyone else and take very little of your time so are always worth it. Daily entry sweeps can take up more of your time, so you may wish to be selective with what you enter. You've only been at it for a month and you don;t say what you've been entering, but one month isn't very long. Many sweeps take time to conduct drawings and even after they do, they might not contact the winner(s) right away or even if they do the winner may not respond or even turn down the prize and the sponsor may have to conduct another drawing, so you just never know. Remain hopeful and positive that you'll win and you'll win.
I always say that sweeping is not for the faint of heart...or for the impatient. I started my online sweeping journey in 2007 and was very fortunate to win my first and only grand prize win ($10K+) in 2009. In the ten years since, I've won various first place prizes: checks in the amounts of $2,500 & $1800, various gift cards worth $750, online concert ticket cash worth $250, a couple of HDTV's and a Fender Precision bass guitar!
Not too shabby for a hobby that I spend approximately 30 minutes per day entering various contests of interest. I try to keep my expectations in check and am grateful when I do get winning email notifications. I truly believe the lottery slogan of "you cannot win if you do not play" but unlike Powerball or Mega Millions...this hobby is FREE and the odds of winning are so much better so it's a win/win in my book.
Not too shabby for a hobby that I spend approximately 30 minutes per day entering various contests of interest. I try to keep my expectations in check and am grateful when I do get winning email notifications. I truly believe the lottery slogan of "you cannot win if you do not play" but unlike Powerball or Mega Millions...this hobby is FREE and the odds of winning are so much better so it's a win/win in my book.
I find the Sweepstakes Plus subscription well worth the money. It offers many more options for sorting & saving the sweeps that you are really interested in (especially useful with daily entries) so you can focus on those. Also gives you access to local sweeps that generally have fewer entrants.
If you've only been doing this for a month, most of the sweeps you've entered haven't even drawn winners yet. Keep plugging!
My daily method (I do use Sweepstakes Plus) is to start out with EXPIRING sweepstakes. I do the ones expiring today and tomorrow. Then I move to the Plus main page and read the wins people have posted. This might be my favorite part of sweeping -- seeing that others are winning.
From there I scroll down the page (click "show more" to see all the categories) and go to one specific category each day (that would be Disney °o° for me), you might find other categories of interest.
After that, I go to MY SWEEPSTAKES and work through all of those that I have saved after the first time I entered. To save sweeps to My Sweepstakes, use the starred link at the bottom of the sweepstakes listing, "Add to My Sweepstakes."
That is my morning routine. I don't do anything with sweeps the rest of the day until I get the email in the evening from Sweeps Advantage. Then I know they have finished listing the new sweeps for the day so it is now time to go through the list of NEW sweepstakes. As I enter, I check the Sweeps Check box on the right and then use the "Add to My Sweepstakes" link so that the new sweeps are added to the list of sweeps I want to play daily / weekly / monthly etc.
My most recent win was a Star Wars book from Ziploc two weeks ago. It is a daily entry that has been going on since July. I entered one time and won the book! (Of course, I was really entering to win the trip but the book means I've got a Christmas gift for a grandson.)
Have fun with sweeping!
My daily method (I do use Sweepstakes Plus) is to start out with EXPIRING sweepstakes. I do the ones expiring today and tomorrow. Then I move to the Plus main page and read the wins people have posted. This might be my favorite part of sweeping -- seeing that others are winning.
From there I scroll down the page (click "show more" to see all the categories) and go to one specific category each day (that would be Disney °o° for me), you might find other categories of interest. After that, I go to MY SWEEPSTAKES and work through all of those that I have saved after the first time I entered. To save sweeps to My Sweepstakes, use the starred link at the bottom of the sweepstakes listing, "Add to My Sweepstakes."
That is my morning routine. I don't do anything with sweeps the rest of the day until I get the email in the evening from Sweeps Advantage. Then I know they have finished listing the new sweeps for the day so it is now time to go through the list of NEW sweepstakes. As I enter, I check the Sweeps Check box on the right and then use the "Add to My Sweepstakes" link so that the new sweeps are added to the list of sweeps I want to play daily / weekly / monthly etc.
My most recent win was a Star Wars book from Ziploc two weeks ago. It is a daily entry that has been going on since July. I entered one time and won the book! (Of course, I was really entering to win the trip but the book means I've got a Christmas gift for a grandson.)
Have fun with sweeping!
It's really just the luck of the draw, there is no exact way to determine a win (unfortunately). I was a plus sweeper for a year and won absolutely nothing. However, I have been doing sweeps for 10+ years and in that time I have only won one Grand prize - Channellock tools Ultimate Outdoor Giveaway (it was years before I won this). I mostly win books from Goodreads. As for staying away from certain sweeps, I stay away from Window Companies (as they will call you and want to set up an appointment with you - no word on if you were a winner), Mattresses - I forgot the exact company name, but they too call you and want to come to your home (sorry, I don't need someone coming to my home). Also, if it's something I don't really want or can use I don't do it. Biggest pet peeve is a company saying, "Though you didn't win today, we're sending you a coupon towards your next purchase." I remove myself from their mailing list as a coupon is not a win and they are acting as if it is.
Thanks for all the helpful comments. Normally we wouldn't allow this post in the "winner's circle" because it is a question and not a winner report.
Because people are posting about their wins will let it stay.
My biggest suggestion to help with prize wins is consistency and good email management.
Even with our own SA exclusive giveaways sometimes we have to notify 3 or 4 winners before we get someone to confirm their prize win. We suggest yahoo or
gmail email accounts for sweeps entry because they offer many ways to search for prize notifications. Do not use your work email, aol, comcast, juno as these
are known to block legitimate emails. Plus subscribers should try entering their own local sweeps or any of the Plus categories that have limited time promotions.
Limited time promotions will often have good odds because not as many people will enter, due to the short entry time frame. It's a fun hobby and it brings happiness
to lots of people. Good luck to all.
Because people are posting about their wins will let it stay.
My biggest suggestion to help with prize wins is consistency and good email management. Even with our own SA exclusive giveaways sometimes we have to notify 3 or 4 winners before we get someone to confirm their prize win. We suggest yahoo or
gmail email accounts for sweeps entry because they offer many ways to search for prize notifications. Do not use your work email, aol, comcast, juno as these
are known to block legitimate emails. Plus subscribers should try entering their own local sweeps or any of the Plus categories that have limited time promotions.
Limited time promotions will often have good odds because not as many people will enter, due to the short entry time frame. It's a fun hobby and it brings happiness
to lots of people. Good luck to all.
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Hi, welcome! It took me a good month of entering sweeps before I won something. It was a gatorade bottle. This was back in 2006. I just recently signed up for the sweepstakes plus and have already won my first text entry (a grizzly cooler 300.00) and my first instagram win ( a nespresso machine). Don't give up. Just keep entering and good luck!
missmarydee
Active member
Re: wishuponastar
will you please explain this part of your response " I don't do anything with sweeps the rest of the day until I get the email in the evening from Sweeps Advantage. Then I know they have finished listing the new sweeps for the day so it is now time to go through the list of NEW sweepstakes"
Answer from SA: the Sweepstakes Advantage newsletter: https://www.sweepsadvantage.com/sweepstakes-newsletter.htm
Are you saying that they might still be adding new sweeps late into the day? What evening email from sweeps advantage are you referring to? Sorry for so many questions but this is interesting to me. Does the evening email come at the same time and say that they are done adding new sweeps for the day?
I want to look for this email as I don't think I have ever seen it. How do I sign up for it if i don't have it/ Thanks in advance
will you please explain this part of your response " I don't do anything with sweeps the rest of the day until I get the email in the evening from Sweeps Advantage. Then I know they have finished listing the new sweeps for the day so it is now time to go through the list of NEW sweepstakes"
Answer from SA: the Sweepstakes Advantage newsletter: https://www.sweepsadvantage.com/sweepstakes-newsletter.htm
Are you saying that they might still be adding new sweeps late into the day? What evening email from sweeps advantage are you referring to? Sorry for so many questions but this is interesting to me. Does the evening email come at the same time and say that they are done adding new sweeps for the day?
I want to look for this email as I don't think I have ever seen it. How do I sign up for it if i don't have it/ Thanks in advance
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I have been entering sweeps since 1982. My sister got me into it. Her very first win was a case of Bubble Yum Bubble Gum. When she showed me that prize, I was hooked!
We are both still entering to this day, a hobby that has lasted through all mail in to mostly computer now. The wins are far and few nowadays, but you just never know....you do have to be in it to win it!!
I have won a little of everything over the years....except the elusive car!!
I would say to enjoy the hobby like you would any hobby and put the time into it that you can. I LOVE coming here to the winner's area to see what everyone has won, and am truly happy for other's wins. It's a great way to see what prizes have been awarded, too. It's a nice community here.
Patience is definitely a must! I hope you will let everyone know when you get your first win
We are both still entering to this day, a hobby that has lasted through all mail in to mostly computer now. The wins are far and few nowadays, but you just never know....you do have to be in it to win it!!
I have won a little of everything over the years....except the elusive car!!
I would say to enjoy the hobby like you would any hobby and put the time into it that you can. I LOVE coming here to the winner's area to see what everyone has won, and am truly happy for other's wins. It's a great way to see what prizes have been awarded, too. It's a nice community here.
Patience is definitely a must! I hope you will let everyone know when you get your first win
Another good rule of thumb is to enter for YOU and YOU only. Sweepers are generous of heart and love to give and so many sweepers spend all day long entering anything and everything. It's great to win that sweater for your Great Aunt Minnie, but all that entering is time consuming and will lead to burn out. It should always be fun and more importantly, feel good while entering. For example, I do not smoke, so although many cigarette companies offer good prizes, I do not enter them. I also do not enter sweeps sponsored by companies that I do not support for one reason or another. It's doesn't matter to me what they're giving away. They could be giving away millions of dollars, but I would not feel good entering it, so I just stay away from them. I've been sweeping on and off since 2006 and have won well over $100K in prizes. Most of them have been trip wins. I seem to average about two a year when it comes to trip wins and my largest cash win was $25K. So sticking with what you love and believe in and feel good supporting, does work. It also keeps sweeping fun, because it is fun! Once it becomes work, you're wasting your energy.
I think the answer about the newsletter signup is right there with a website address where you can sign up. It don't know that it comes at the same time every day because I don't check my email at the same time. I just know that when I check and the email is there, then I figure they have finished listing all the new sweepstakes and it is time to go take a look to see what catches my eye for that day.
missmarydee
Active member
i already subscribe to the newsletter but i haven't seen any email about when they have finished adding new sweepstakes
The SA newsletter is usually sent M-F at about 4:00 PM EST. We often will keep approving new sweepstakes even after that newsletter is sent.
nerrivik7
Member
I won't send referrals to friends and family, it seems like a bother and if they wanted to participate they would already be sweeping.
I have a sweepstakes dedicated Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to post referrals, but even still I think that the referral follows I do get are on Royal Draws message board. They have a gift card giveaway, but I have no expectation of winning, but from referrals there I have won Uber gift cards a couple times(my car was totaled so HELPFUL!), and a few other things.
There are also Facebook groups where you can post referrals for Sweeps that others can follow if you really want referral entries.
I have a sweepstakes dedicated Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to post referrals, but even still I think that the referral follows I do get are on Royal Draws message board. They have a gift card giveaway, but I have no expectation of winning, but from referrals there I have won Uber gift cards a couple times(my car was totaled so HELPFUL!), and a few other things.
There are also Facebook groups where you can post referrals for Sweeps that others can follow if you really want referral entries.
Ruh roh! I've been doing them too soon then! Ty for letting me know.
Good to know!
Thanks for all the helpful comments. Normally we wouldn't allow this post in the "winner's circle" because it is a question and not a winner report.
Because people are posting about their wins will let it stay.
Even with our own SA exclusive giveaways sometimes we have to notify 3 or 4 winners before we get someone to confirm their prize win. We suggest yahoo or
gmail email accounts for sweeps entry because they offer many ways to search for prize notifications. Do not use your work email, aol, comcast, juno as these
are known to block legitimate emails. Plus subscribers should try entering their own local sweeps or any of the Plus categories that have limited time promotions.
Limited time promotions will often have good odds because not as many people will enter, due to the short entry time frame. It's a fun hobby and it brings happiness
to lots of people. Good luck to all.
rmr2211 welcome aboard! I see you went PLUS - good choice!
There are a few stickied threads to help you w/answers to questions you may not have thought of yet in these FORUMS ;
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There are a few stickied threads to help you w/answers to questions you may not have thought of yet in these FORUMS ;
Forum: Newbies
https://www.sweepstakesplus.com/forum/newbiesForum: General Sweepstakes Talk
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]https://www.sweepstakesplus.com/forum/general-sweepstakes-talkForum: Questions & Answers
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]https://www.sweepstakesplus.com/forum/questions-and-answers[SUB][SUP][/SUP][/SUB]
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