Common Competition Mistakes: Avoid These Entry Errors

Common Competition Mistakes: Avoid These Entry Errors

Many compers unknowingly sabotage their entries through common mistakes. These errors can disqualify entries, reduce winning chances, or waste valuable time. Identifying and fixing these mistakes can dramatically improve your success rate.

Account Setup Mistakes

Private Account Problems

The Mistake:

• Keeping social accounts private
• Not realizing verification impossible
• Brands skip private account winners

The Fix:

• Make accounts public (at least during competitions)
• Check each platform's privacy settings
• Test by viewing your profile logged out

Incomplete Profiles

The Mistake:

• No profile picture
• Empty bio
• No activity history
• Looks like a spam/fake account

The Fix:

• Add genuine profile photo
• Write a real bio
• Post some authentic content
• Look like a real person

Wrong Contact Details

The Mistake:

• Typos in email address
• Old phone number
• Outdated postal address
• Inconsistent information

The Fix:

• Double-check all entries
• Update details when they change
• Use auto-fill correctly
• Verify information annually

Entry Technique Mistakes

Not Reading Rules

The Mistake:

• Skipping terms and conditions
• Missing eligibility requirements
• Not following specific instructions
• Assuming all competitions work the same

The Fix:

• Read requirements every time
• Check eligibility before entering
• Follow instructions exactly
• Note any unusual requirements

Wrong Entry Method

The Mistake:

• Quote tweet instead of retweet
• Comment instead of share
• Wrong number of friend tags
• Missing required hashtags

The Fix:

• Understand platform terminology
• Check entry method carefully
• Follow exact instructions
• Verify entry completed correctly

Missing Deadlines

The Mistake:

• Entering after competition closed
• Timezone confusion
• Not noting closing dates
• Last-minute entries that fail

The Fix:

• Record all closing dates
• Set reminders for important competitions
• Account for timezones
• Enter with buffer time

Incomplete Entries

The Mistake:

• Not following account before commenting
• Missing required likes
• Skipping hashtags
• Partial completion

The Fix:

• Complete all required steps
• Check off requirements as you go
• Verify entry completion
• Don't assume partial credit

Strategy Mistakes

Entering Everything

The Mistake:

• No selectivity
• Entering ineligible competitions
• Wasting time on poor opportunities
• Quantity over quality focus

The Fix:

• Check eligibility first
• Prioritize better odds competitions
• Match prizes to your interests
• Strategic selection improves results

Only Big Competitions

The Mistake:

• Only major brand giveaways
• Ignoring smaller opportunities
• Missing low-entry competitions
• Poor odds across all entries

The Fix:

• Balance big and small competitions
• Target low-entry opportunities
• Local and niche competitions
• Better odds improve win rate

Inconsistent Entering

The Mistake:

• Bursts of activity then nothing
• Skipping daily competitions
• No routine established
• Irregular effort

The Fix:

• Build daily routine
• Consistent time allocation
• Don't miss daily entry opportunities
• Steady effort beats sporadic bursts

Not Tracking Entries

The Mistake:

• No record of what's entered
• Duplicate entries where not allowed
• Missing follow-up opportunities
• No learning from patterns

The Fix:

• Track all entries
• Note daily competition status
• Record closing dates
• Review for patterns

Communication Mistakes

Ignoring Notifications

The Mistake:

• Not checking competition email
• Missing spam folder wins
• Ignoring unknown numbers
• DMs not checked regularly

The Fix:

• Check email multiple times daily
• Review spam folders
• Answer unknown calls
• Check DMs on all platforms

Slow Response to Wins

The Mistake:

• Missing tight claim deadlines
• Delaying response
• Not treating wins urgently
• Losing prizes to alternatives

The Fix:

• Respond to wins immediately
• Know deadlines are tight (24-72 hours typical)
• Have details ready to provide
• Treat win notifications as priority

Poor Communication

The Mistake:

• Rude or demanding messages
• Excessive follow-up
• Public complaints prematurely
• Unprofessional tone

The Fix:

• Always polite and professional
• Patient with processes
• Private communication first
• Reasonable expectations

Creative Competition Mistakes

Generic Entries

The Mistake:

• Copy-paste responses
• No personalization
• Same answer as everyone
• No effort in creative entries

The Fix:

• Craft unique responses
• Personalize to competition
• Research brand/product
• Invest time in creative entries

Ignoring Brief

The Mistake:

• Off-topic entries
• Missing required elements
• Not answering the question
• Wrong format or style

The Fix:

• Study the brief carefully
• Answer exactly what's asked
• Include all required elements
• Match expected style

Technical Failures

The Mistake:

• Wrong file format
• Exceeding word/character limits
• Poor quality submissions
• Missing deadlines

The Fix:

• Check all technical requirements
• Count words/characters carefully
• Quality check submissions
• Submit well before deadline

Safety Mistakes

Not Verifying Legitimacy

The Mistake:

• Entering obvious scams
• Clicking suspicious links
• Providing sensitive information
• Trusting without checking

The Fix:

• Verify competitions are legitimate
• Never click suspicious links
• Never pay to enter or claim
• Trust instincts about scams

Oversharing Personal Info

The Mistake:

• Providing unnecessary details
• Bank information
• Excessive identification
• Passwords or security info

The Fix:

• Only provide what's needed
• Never financial details
• Question unusual requests
• Protect personal data

The Cost of Mistakes

Impact on Winning

How Mistakes Hurt You:

• Invalid entries don't count
• Skipped during winner selection
• Missed opportunities
• Wasted time and effort

Prevention Value

Fixing Mistakes:

• Immediately improves odds
• Every valid entry counts
• Efficient use of time
• Better results from same effort

Conclusion

Most competition mistakes are easily fixed once identified. Audit your current practices against this list, fix any issues, and develop good habits that prevent future mistakes.

The comper who makes no mistakes with the same entry volume will significantly outperform one making regular errors. Every valid entry is a chance to win - don't waste them on preventable mistakes.

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