Sponsors are taking note. Shelby Jones is managing director of promotions at Don Jagoda Associates in Studio City, Calif., which runs sweepstakes for name brands of bleach, charcoal and salad dressing. The number of contests her company runs has increased about 20 percent in five years. Todd France, vice president of sales and marketing for Career Sports Management Inc. in Atlanta, showed up to greet the three winners of a Disney World lunch with ex-Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek. Two were clad from head to toe with products they'd won in other sweepstakes.
Many devotees spend thousands of dollars each year on postage for entries.
It catches their eye and saves you money. If a contest calls for entries on odd-sized paper or written in all block letters, enter more often. Harder requirements mean fewer entrants. Prizes may be taxed. Don't enter for something you can't sell, like a trip, unless you can afford to pay the taxes.