First, scan grocery and drug stores for local or small, regional contests that have fewer contestants than national promotions. Also look for contests that award prizes at each of the stores offering the promotion. When entering local contests, however, Sweepers are divided on the value of using large or colored envelopes to draw attention. Some believe colored envelopes disqualify contestants from strictly regulated contests and that larger sweepstakes don't even look at the envelopes. Others argue attention grabbing entries are helpful in local contests where winners likely are drawn from a box by a store employee.
Sweepers also recommend contests with a large number of rules.
Contests requiring athletic or artistic skill also have better odds than general entrance sweepstakes. Winning game pieces often are thrown away and the prize is awarded later through a mail-in contest with fewer contestants. Sweepers also suggest surfing the Internet for newsletters and clubs that offer information on contests with the best odds. It's OK to play those games, but don't spend much time or money trying to win, they say. Sweepers also avoid contests requiring contestants to divulge personal information or sit through high-pressure sales presentations.