Top Five Tips for Entering a Competition

Posted by: Daniela on June 14th, 2012

Competitions are everywhere, and not only can be fun to enter, but often rewarding to boot. Here are a few suggestions to make sure you’re in it to win it.

Read the instructions

Whilst it sounds obvious, there are huge portions of competition entrants to do not read, or misread competition instructions. Even if there are other entrants who have clearly not entered properly, don’t follow them! Reading the instructions and entering properly ensures your precious time isn’t wasted.

Follow the rules (i.e. don’t cheat)

There are 101 ways to gain an unfair advantage in competitions; common examples being duplicating or multiplying entries or accounts, automating entry and buying votes. Promoters are now increasingly aware of tactics like these, and again, even if you see others doing it, don’t run the risk of wasting your time and being disqualified!

Be creative

Creative competitions are often ignored, due to the perception that it may take too long to enter, or be too much effort, or that one isn’t creative enough. Nonsense! Creative competitions usually provide the very best odds of winning, often the best prizes, and the most fun! Don’t talk yourself out of entering competitions. We bang on about this all the time on our competition blog.

Be social

Social media, and networks like Facebook and Twitter have absolutely exploded the number of competitions available to enter, and participation can be easy and fun. It’s also quick and easy to find like minded people who can share competitions, and tips for entering.

Be polite

It’s easy to get caught up in competitions; the competitiveness, the desire to win a prize you really want, but do remember to be gracious in victory and humble in defeat. Do congratulate winners, and be helpful on social networks, and if there’s conflict, resolve it calmly. This goes for fellow entrants, and the people running the competition!

This was a guest post from Competition Hunter, a UK competition community and The Competition Agency, a marketing agency specialising in competitions and giveaways as marketing campaigns.