Winning a prize in a competition is something that doesn’t happen very often. For many people, it’s something that never happens at all. Yet there are other people who seem to have phenomenal success when it comes to contests. Are they just supremely lucky? Or do they have a secret system?Whether
aim is to win cash, a holiday, or retail products, this article will introduce some of tips and tricks of trade that experienced competitors use to ensure a high chance of winning a prize.
First of all, study odds. This is very important. It is necessary to be able to distinguish between contests of pure chance and contests of skill. Contests where entrants have to ring a number and leave their name, or answer a ridiculously easy question on back of an envelope represent a very small chance of success. Of course, as saying goes, ‘you have to be in it to win it’, but in these contests, everything is left up to fate. While everyone dreams of winning big prize, chances are literally millions to one.
Contests of skill, however, are a different matter altogether. This is where it is possible to greatly increase chances of winning. Look for contests where answers need to be given in a prescribed number of words (usually 25 or 50). This is where creativity can be used to entrant’s advantage. Next, find out whether prizes will be awarded solely on creativity of words, or whether there is scope to do other things.
Those contests awarding prizes based only on creativity of words represent middle ground when it comes to enhancing chances of success. To win a prize in this type of contest requires some careful planning. Write an entry that is as witty and clever as possible. Write a limerick, a verse or a riddle, rather than just a simple sentence. It is important to make every word count and to try and make entry a bit different to normal. Use every one of allowed number of words.
The best type of contest to look for is type that has no limit to creativity of entry. This is where careful planning and presentation can catapult an entry straight into prizewinning short list. Here’s what to do:
