So, you’re hooked on competitions – and why not? The thrill of entering, the daydreaming about your big win, the absolute buzz when you finally get that email saying, “Congratulations!” It’s all part of the fun. But, let’s be honest, we all want to win more often. After all, who wouldn’t want a shiny new car, a holiday in the Maldives, or even just a year’s supply of biscuits? So, how do you go from hopeful entrant to regular winner?
Grab a cuppa, and let me take you through some solid, practical tips on how to maximise your chances of winning in a competition. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned comper, these tips will help you up your game without turning it into a full-time job!
Table of Contents
1. Enter regularly – make comping part of your routine
Right, let’s start with the most important one: consistency. It’s a bit like going to the gym – if you go once, you can’t expect a six-pack by the weekend, right? The same goes for competitions. The more regularly you enter, the more chances you have of winning. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to spend hours a day doing it.
My best advice? Set aside a bit of time each day or week to enter competitions. Maybe it’s over your morning coffee, or perhaps you do a quick comping session before bed. It doesn’t need to be much – even 10 or 15 minutes can make a difference. You could use that time to enter a few competitions, bookmark ones you want to come back to, or find new ones to enter.
Think of it this way: if you enter 5 or 6 competitions each day, by the end of the month, you’ve entered over 150! That’s 150 chances to win something – not bad, right?
2. Focus on competitions with fewer entrants
We’ve all seen those massive prize draws where you can win a luxury holiday, a brand-new car, or £10,000 cash. Tempting, I know! But here’s the thing – thousands of people are entering those, which means your odds of winning are pretty slim.
Instead, try focusing on smaller competitions where fewer people are likely to enter. These might be local comps, niche giveaways, or ones with more effort involved (we’ll get to that in a bit). The fewer people who enter, the better your chances of bagging the prize.
For example, if there’s a local competition for a meal at a fancy restaurant, you’re probably only competing with people in your area. That’s way better odds than entering a nationwide competition for the same prize! Plus, local businesses often run comps with fewer entries because they’re not as well advertised as the big national ones.
3. Enter skill-based competitions
Now, this is one of my favourite tricks. Competitions that require a bit of skill – like answering a question, writing a slogan, or submitting a photo – tend to have fewer entrants. Why? Because most people can’t be bothered to put in the extra effort! But if you’re willing to give it a go, you can seriously boost your chances.
For example:
- A competition that requires you to write a clever caption or answer a question might only get a few hundred entries, while a simple “click to enter” competition could have thousands.
- Photo competitions or creative challenges often attract fewer people, but the prizes are usually great because the promoter wants to reward effort.
If you’ve got a bit of creative flair or enjoy a challenge, these comps can be a goldmine. Even if you’re not a pro photographer or a poet, give it a shot – you might surprise yourself, and your odds are almost always better!
4. Stay organised
Here’s where a bit of organisation can go a long way. When you’re entering lots of competitions, it’s easy to lose track of which ones you’ve entered, when they close, and when you might need to follow up.
A simple spreadsheet or notebook can help keep things organised. You don’t need to go overboard – just jot down the competition name, prize, entry method, and closing date. That way, you can stay on top of your entries, and you’ll know when it’s time to check for winners. Plus, if you do win, you’ll know where to look for that all-important email!
Also, some competitions allow multiple entries (but be careful – not all do). Keeping track will help you avoid breaking the rules and getting disqualified. Trust me, nothing stings more than finding out you’ve been disqualified for entering twice by accident!
5. Join comping communities
One of the best ways to find out about great competitions – and get tips from others who are just as hooked as you are – is to join a comping community. There are loads of groups online where people share the latest comps, their wins, and even hints and tips.
Facebook has a bunch of active comping groups, and there are forums like Loquax or SuperLucky that are packed with information. Plus, these communities are great for motivation – when you see others winning, it keeps you going and makes it all feel a bit more exciting. You might even make a few friends along the way!
6. Use social media to your advantage
Social media is an absolute goldmine for competitions. Brands love running giveaways on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok to grow their followers and engage with their audience. And the best part? These comps are usually quick and easy to enter.
To maximise your chances:
- Follow brands you like or that often run competitions. Big brands tend to do regular giveaways, especially around holidays or product launches.
- Turn on notifications for certain accounts so you’re alerted when they post a new competition.
- Engage with posts. Often, competitions will ask you to like, share, or tag friends. Make sure you follow the rules to the letter – missing one step could disqualify you.
Keep in mind, though, that social media comps often attract lots of entries, so your odds might not be amazing. But because they’re so quick to enter, it’s worth a shot!
7. Look out for competitions with multiple prizes
Another great tip is to enter competitions that offer multiple prizes. If a comp is giving away 50 prizes instead of just one, your odds of winning something are instantly better.
For example, let’s say a competition has 1,000 entries. If there’s only one prize, your odds are 1 in 1,000. But if there are 10 prizes, your odds jump to 1 in 100 – much better, right?
Multiple-prize competitions often include things like bundles, runner-up prizes, or smaller prizes alongside the main one. So, even if you don’t bag the top prize, you might still walk away with something!
8. Read the terms and conditions
I know, I know – reading the terms and conditions is about as fun as watching paint dry. But trust me, it’s important. Every competition has its own rules, and if you break them – even by accident – you could be disqualified.
The T&Cs will tell you things like:
- How many times you can enter.
- Whether there are restrictions (e.g., UK residents only, over-18s).
- The closing date (you don’t want to miss it!).
- How the winner will be chosen.
Pay particular attention to comps that ask for payment – by law, they must offer a free entry route, which is often tucked away in the T&Cs. So, always give them a quick scan before you enter.
9. Avoid scams
Unfortunately, not every competition is as legit as it seems. Scammers love to take advantage of people’s excitement over winning something, so it’s crucial to be cautious.
Here are some red flags:
- Competitions asking for your bank details upfront. A legitimate comp will never ask for payment info unless it’s part of a transaction (e.g., a paid ticket for a charity raffle).
- Vague terms and conditions or none at all.
- Prizes that seem too good to be true. If they’re offering a £10,000 holiday for filling in a basic form, be cautious.
Stick to reputable brands, check the legitimacy of the website, and if something feels off, it’s better to walk away. Your time is precious, and you don’t want to waste it on dodgy comps.
Wrapping it up
So, there you have it – some solid tips on how to maximise your chances of winning in a competition. While luck plays a big part, there’s plenty you can do to give yourself the best shot at bagging a prize. Whether it’s entering regularly, focusing on smaller comps, or getting creative with skill-based competitions, there are loads of ways to improve your odds.
At the end of the day, comping should be fun – so enjoy the process! And remember, the more you enter, the more chances you give yourself to win. Who knows? Your next big win could be just around the corner!