Sweeping 101: My First Month

I began my adventures in sweepstaking and entering giveaways just about a month ago. I've spent hours hitting the submit button and entering comments for entries. It became almost like an addiction at first and I would end up spending most of my day (and nights) entering these giveaways online. What do I have to show for these hours spent? Nada. Well, I did win some protein bars on a blog giveaway my first week, but 3 weeks later and I haven't even received them yet. *sigh*

I've read stories from various sweepstakers. Stories of how they were born lucky and have been winning things since elementary school. I've won a few things throughout my life, but only a few things. I've heard from people who have won trips to beautiful places, and money, money, money! Who doesn't love money!?! I think the excitement is starting to wear off now though since I've had such little luck. Now it seems more like a time waster than anything else. Am I ready to give up completely yet, though? Nope.

A few things I've learned along my first month of sweeping. I've entered both blog giveaways, and sweepstakes from large companies. The large company giveaways are usually pretty easy. If you enable the autofill settings in our browser to help save some time by filling in your basic information for you.

Blog giveaways can be either easy or difficult depending on the blogger running the giveaway. First of all, I love Rafflecopter!! It makes entering giveaways soo much easier, especially when the blogger wants you to follow this and tweet that for entries. It's so much simpler to be able to go right down the line and get your entries instead of having to go back and forth between the list of ways to gain entries, and back to the bottom of the blog to leave another comment. It's really a pain if the blog has 200+ other comments that you have to keep scrolling through. I think every one who hosts giveaways should use rafflecopter! If you go to the website, it says you need an invitation to join, but they sent me a personal invitation like a day or two after I submitted my email. Along with saving entrant's time, it also saves the blogger time by randomly picking a winner.

Another tip for bloggers hosting giveaways, if you are going to ask people to follow you via GFC or some other connection, make sure that the sign up widget is easily visible!! I get really pissed when I can't find the widget anywhere!!

I guess I don't really have a lot of tips or advice. If the prize is something you really want, enter as many times as you can. The more entries, the better chance you have of winning. IF/when I do win anything, I will post it here for all to see, along with samples I receive in the mail.

I have made a separate Facebook page for entering giveaways. Most giveaways, especially blog giveaways ask you to like their page or share something on your FB page. I don't want to annoy my family and friends with these, so I have a separate page. If anyone would like to friend me for lots of giveaway information, feel free to add me.

Finding Sweepstakes and Giveaways.

First of all, a good way to start is to friend me on my facebook page so you will be notified about various giveaways and sweepstakes. Once you begin entering blog giveaways, you will mostly likely "like" the hosting blog for an entry, then you will get updates from them announcing new giveaways. Eventually, your list will grow bigger and bigger and you will have all kinds of giveaways to choose from!

Facebook Apps. There are two facebook apps that I really love. One is called Sweepstakes. Do a search for the word "Sweepstakes" on FB and you will find it. It has a huge list of new sweepstakes for you to pick and choose from. They literally have pages upon pages of sweepstakes and giveaways listed. Some of these sweepstakes offer extra entries by getting people to enter under your name. You can share the giveaway on your own FB page and whoever signs up from your link, gets you an extra entry!

Hooplasoft Giveaways is another awesome app on FB. You can make your own giveaway (if you are having one on  your blog..etc.,) and it will be promoted to everyone who uses this app. It has a "Giveaway Stumbler" which shows you 6 giveaways and you choose the one you want to enter. You enter via FB and it only takes a minute. When you are done entering a giveaway, hit the stumbler button and you will be given 6 more to choose from. It also shows you stats on what giveaways you entered, which ones you lost, and if you won any. I love this app.! I could stay on it all day, it's very addicting. Many of the giveaways also have "referral winners". This means, if you post the giveaway on your page or invite people from your page to enter, and they win, you also win the same prize!  This app. is also great for promoting your own giveaway.

That's all I have for now. I will post more updates/tips as I learn them. Feel free to leave a comment and add your own!

Join in the fun and tell me what you have won?

My question is: Are people really born lucky? I guess I'm lucky; bad luck is luck, right??