Get Less Spam from Entering Sweepstakes
If you enter sweepstakes, you can count on receiving a certain amount of junk email. The spam can make it tempting to just ignore your sweepstakes email rather than wading through tons of marketing emails. However, this can lead to missing win notifications and passing up fantastic sweepstakes prizes.However, sweepstakes spam does not need to be overwhelming. My main sweepstakes email only receives a few emails a day, most of which are entry confirmations and win notifications. Follow these tips to control the amount of email that you receive.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Learn how to reduce spam email in just five minutes.
Here's How:
Set Up a Separate Sweepstakes Email
This is the most important step in keeping your sweepstakes mail manageable. If you set up a free email address to use just for your sweepstakes entries, you can easily pinpoint which spam emails are coming from sweeping. If you do get overwhelmed, you can simply start using a new address without worrying about contacting all of your friends and family with the new email. And you can make a point to check that address frequently to ensure you never miss a win notice.Read the Privacy Policy Before Entering Sweepstakes
Most legitimate websites have a privacy policy that describes how the company will use the information that they gather. Think twice about entering sweepstakes that don't have privacy policies or that state that they will sell or rent personal information that they gather.Opt Out on Entry Forms
Many sweepstakes give you the chance to opt in or opt out of receiving additional information from the sweepstakes sponsors and their partners. If you are interested in this information, by all means opt in. After all, helping the sponsors meet their marketing goals will encourage them to offer more sweepstakes. Otherwise, be sure to opt out from receiving marketing mails.Unsubscribe from Newsletters You Don't Want
Many people are afraid to unsubscribe from any unwanted email for fear that it will confirm their email address, which will then be sold to unscrupulous people who will send even more spam. This is a smart strategy for real spam - offers to buy prescription drugs online, or invitations to adult websites. However, unsubscribing from the newsletters that you receive by sweeping will reduce the overload in your sweepstakes email.Report the Spam you Do Receive
Government agencies do regulate spam, but they can't stop it if they don't know about it. You can help by reporting the spam email that you do receive. (Note: Please do NOT report regular newsletters, unless they keep sending you emails even after you unsubscribe.)- The National Fraud Information Center receives fraud reports.
- The Securities and Exchange Commission handles stock-related spam.
- The FTC monitors and handles spam complaints.
- SpamCop also tracks and fights spam.
Use Email Addresses that Filter Spam
Many email programs filter spam for you. Be careful when using spam filters to ensure that no win notifications get trashed, however! It's always a good idea to check your spam folders regularly and remove any legitimate emails that get accidentally filtered.Use Anti-Spam Programs
Adding a spam filter to your sweepstakes email can cut down on the amount of junk mail that you receive. A good anti-spam program learns to filter email intelligently, helping to ensure that you receive win notifications while keeping out the mails that you don't need.
What You Need:
- Sweepstakes Email Program
- Spam Filtering Program
- Time to Check Your Emails
