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What Are The Different Kinds Of Sweepstakes?

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Posted by Your Guide on October 6, 2006 2:45 PM

Sweepstakes are random drawings. Your entry is put into a pool of entries. Winners are pulled from that pool at random hence, random drawing. This usually involves sending in a 3x5 card or postcard entry, entering online, calling a toll-free number, visiting a store and putting your entry in a drop-in box, and so forth. There are different variations of sweepstakes, such as regular sweepstakes, multiple drawing sweepstakes, and second chance sweepstakes.

Regular sweepstakes are those in which there is a prize or set of prizes and there is one entry deadline and one drawing. Each sweepstakes has different rules, and some may ask you to write a qualifying phrase or a few words on your entry. Others may ask you to answer a few simple questions. Be sure to read the rules carefully and know exactly what is required before entering a sweepstakes.
Multiple drawing sweepstakes are those in which prizes are given away at certain intervals, for example monthly or quarterly. There are different entry deadlines for each drawing. There also may be one regular grand prize drawing but monthly smaller prize drawings.

Second chance drawings are those in which the sponsor held an instant-win promotion or a match-and-win promotion, where you collect games pieces on specially marked packages of their products. If not all of the prizes are awarded during these promotions, the sponsor will hold a second chance drawing to award those prizes not claimed. Typically, over half of the prizes in these types of games are not awarded, often including the grand prize. Many people don't enjoy sweepstakes or don't even look at the game pieces, so many prizes go unclaimed. Second chance drawings offer perhaps a better chance of winning, because people either don't enter them or send fewer entries, thinking there may be no prizes left to claim.

Contests require skill of some sort. These usually involve writing an essay, submitting a recipe or photo, or creating a jingle or clever saying of some sort. A judging panel reviews all of the entries and chooses the winner based on a set of predetermined criteria. You have a better chance of winning contests, because there are fewer people who enter them. It takes a lot more effort to enter contests than it does to enter sweepstakes.

Raffles are usually random drawings with no skill involved, but the main difference is that you have to pay to enter.



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