Do people really win competitions?
YES THEY DO! And I’m lucky enough to hear from winners everyday here at the office. Everything from small but valued prizes; vouchers, pampering goodies, DVDs and CDs through to the big ones; two weeks in St Lucia, a brand-new Mercedes and £10,000 cash! Take a look at our winning stories archive and read real stories from compers who have won fantastic prizes.
How will I know when I have won a competition?
If you have, the promoter will contact you by either telephone, a letter or email,depending on the promoter’s preference and what details you have given when you entered the comp. Expect to be contacted between one and four weeks after the closing date. Sometimes (and this has often happened to me) you will receive a prize through the post without a prize wining letter. This is when it is good to have kept a record of the comps you have entered, although it’s always nice to get a surprise!
How many competitions should I enter each week to start winning prizes regularly?
As many as you can! Many compers enter thousands of competitions every month, but you should find that Simply Prizes offers you plenty to get started with. As we all know, ‘You have got to be in it to win it’ and the more competitions you enter the more chances you have every day of being a winner!
What is the best way to get over a ‘lean spell’?
We’d all like to win every day, but sometimes the prizes aren’t forthcoming. At those times, it can be reassuring to know that all compers suffer a lean spell at one time or another.Positive thinking and PERSEVERANCE are key! Every comper (even those that win over 100 prizes a year) can have a ‘lean spell’ (when for one month or two they don’t seem to win very much at all). But what marks the difference between these successful compers is the fact they persevere and keep entering more competitions. The more you believe you are a lucky winner, the more likely you are to succeed – the power of positive thinking opens many opportunities.
Why do companies run competitions?
There are three main reasons why they do:
1. To promote their company or product, attract interest and get their name recognised as a leading brand
2. Companies running internet competitions want to direct you towards visiting their website
3. To collect data that helps them to understand their market (i.e. finding out what type of person reads their magazine, visits their website or buys their products). Generally it is a ‘win win’ situation. Companies want to promote their brand and understand their market and competitions are a fantastic way to do this. For compers, entering competitions is the perfect way to enjoy winning prizes.
When I start entering competitions, will I be bombarded by junk mail, emails and phone calls?
When you fill in your name on a competition form you may be contacted again by the promoter or a third party. However looking for the ‘opt out of further correspondence’clause can prevent this. This should appear in the form of a tick box on entry forms and web pages. On postcard or plain paper entries, you can write ‘No further correspondence’ or the relevant words if stated differently in the terms and conditions after your details.If you subscribe to an email newsletter to enter a competition and no longer wish to receive it, simply follow the instructions to unsubscribe at the bottom of the page - they will always be there! However, you should check that you will not disqualify your entry from the competition by unsubscribing in the terms and conditions. Receiving extra newsletters or mail can be a bonus, and a source of finding more competitions that you would not normally receive! I know many compers who have set up their own ‘competition email account’ purely for entering competitions. This way your regular inbox doesn’t get jammed with competition news and free newsletters. Plus think how nice it will be to open up your comping account and see the words ‘winner’ in the subject line without wading through other emails!
How long will I have to wait to win my first prize?
How long is a piece of string? There is no magical formula to predict when your first prize will arrive. You do need to bear in mind that many competitions you enter may not be closing for weeks or even months – so it’ll be a while before anyone wins them. However, many compers have written to me over the years to tell me that they have won a prize from their very first edition of Simply Prizes! The more you enter the more chance you have of winning. When people say they never win any prizes that is usually because they don’t enter very many competitions. It couldn’t be truer, that ‘You have got to be in it, to win it’.
What are the odds of winning competitions compared to winning the National Lottery?
The odds of winning the National Lottery jackpot are 43 million to 1. The odds of winning a national competition are far better! A lot of things determine the number of entries that a competition receives. A promotion being run and publicized by a worldwide corporation often attract thousands of entries, but they are also able to provide more prizes and higher value ones. Smaller promotions, particularly if they are only being advertised locally, may not even attract a dozen entries!
If I am unhappy with the way a competition has been run, or have problems obtaining my prize, who can I contact?
The Institute of Promotional Marketing are the regulatory body that offer advice to promoters on the best practice of running a competition/promotion. They will investigate all competitions to ensure that they are being run fairly. Send your enquiries clearly expressed to The Institute of Promotional Marketing
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