Before you start entering sweepstakes, you should decide what information to fill into your entry forms. This is not a light decision to make.
Sweepstakes sponsors are sticklers for accuracy. If there is a discrepancy between the information on an entry form and your true personal details, you could be disqualified from receiving a win. Here are some tips for providing acceptable entry information.
Name: Many sweepstakes sponsors need to receive a signed and notarized affidavit before they can officially name a winner. Make sure that the name you use on your entry form can be verified by a notary (i.e., it matches the name on your official documents, such as your driver's license or passport).
Address: Sweepstakes frequently use delivery companies such as UPS or FedEx to deliver prizes. Because these companies do not deliver to PO Boxes, many sweepstakes prohibit their use. It is better to use a street address on your entry forms.
Telephone Number: Many companies notify prize winners by telephone. Notification calls may be made in the evening or during the day, and many sponsors do not leave messages. If you have a cell phone that you carry with you, that is a good number to use for sweepstakes entry.
Email Address: When you enter a lot of sweepstakes, you are sure to receive a ton of marketing emails from sponsors. For this reason, I highly recommend setting up an email address specifically for prize entry. A separate email address for sweepstakes entry will make it much easier to recognize win notifications when they appear in your inbox, and will help reduce the amount of spam that you receive in your regular email. Visit the About Freebies Guide for advice on finding a free email account.
