Postal Entry Competitions: How They Work & When to Use Them

Postal Entry Competitions: How They Work & When to Use Them

Postal entries are the comping secret that many overlook. While most people won't take the time to send a postcard, those who do face significantly lower competition. Understanding when and how to use postal entries can dramatically improve your winning odds.

Understanding Postal Entry

Why Postal Entry Exists

Legal Requirements:

• Many purchase-required promotions must offer free alternatives
• Gambling regulations require no-purchase options
• Postal entry provides this alternative

Benefits for Compers:

• Much lower entry numbers
• Access to purchase-required promos without buying
• Effort barrier deters casual entrants
• Often high-value prizes

Types of Postal Competitions

Purchase Alternative:

• Free entry route for purchase promotions
• Same chance as purchase entries
• Legal requirement for many competitions

Postal-Only Competitions:

• Traditional format still exists
• Often magazine or print promotions
• Sometimes charity raffles

Multiple Entry Method:

• Postal as one of several options
• May offer bonus entries
• Often overlooked option

Finding Postal Entry Opportunities

Reading Terms and Conditions

Where to Look:

• Official rules section
• "No purchase necessary" clause
• "Alternative entry method" section
• Fine print on promotional materials

Key Phrases:

• "Send a postcard to..."
• "Postal entry address"
• "No purchase necessary"
• "Free entry route"

Common Sources

On-Pack Promotions:

• Food product competitions
• Household product promos
• Beverage cap competitions
• Terms usually on website

Print Media:

• Magazine competitions
• Newspaper contests
• Advertorial promotions

Brand Campaigns:

• Major promotional campaigns
• Seasonal competitions
• Product launch promotions

Competition Aggregators

Finding Postal Options:

• Sweepzy and similar sites note entry methods
• Comping forums share postal finds
• Community groups discuss opportunities

Making Postal Entries

What You Need

Supplies:

• Postcards or card (as specified)
• Envelopes (if required)
• Stamps (correct value)
• Black/blue pen (legible ink)

Standard Entry Format

Typical Requirements:

• Full name
• Address (including postcode)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Date of birth (sometimes)
• Answer to question (if required)

Formatting Guidelines

Best Practices:

• Write clearly and legibly
• Print rather than cursive
• Use black or blue ink
• Include all required information
• Follow any size specifications
• Don't add unnecessary decoration

Common Format:

[Your Full Name]
[Address Line 1]
[Address Line 2]
[City/Town]
[Postcode]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

[Answer to question if required]

Postcard vs Envelope

When Rules Specify:

• Follow exactly as stated
• Some require postcards only
• Some require sealed envelopes
• Wrong format may invalidate

When Not Specified:

• Postcard is cheaper
• Envelope more protected
• Either usually acceptable
• Check standard practice for competition type

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Calculating Entry Cost

Direct Costs:

• Postcard/card: £0.10-0.50
• Stamp: £0.68-1.35+ (varies by size/class)
• Total per entry: approximately £0.80-1.50

When Postal Is Worth It

High-Value Prizes:

• House raffles
• Car competitions
• Significant cash prizes
• Holiday packages
• Electronics over £500

Calculation:

• £1 entry cost vs £300,000 house prize
• Few hundred postal entries vs thousands online
• ROI clearly positive

Lower Value Threshold:

• Generally worth it for prizes £100+
• Consider estimated entry numbers
• Factor in your postal volume

When to Skip Postal

Not Worth It:

• Small prizes under £50
• Very high postal volumes expected
• Short deadlines (delivery risk)
• Unclear postal requirements

Postal Entry Strategy

Maximizing Value

Focus On:

• High-value prizes
• Well-known brands (legitimate)
• Longer promotion periods
• Clear entry requirements

Batch Processing:

• Collect postal opportunities
• Process weekly/biweekly
• Buy supplies in bulk
• Streamline the process

Entry Timing

When to Send:

• Allow delivery time before deadline
• First class for last-minute
• Consider postal delays
• Don't miss closing dates

Proof of Posting:

• Get receipt for high-value entries
• Proof of posting certificate
• Photo of entries before posting

Multiple Entries

Check If Allowed:

• Many competitions allow one per person
• Some allow multiple entries
• Household restrictions may apply
• Read rules carefully

If Multiple Allowed:

• Calculate total cost vs prize
• Spread entries across time period
• Keep records of all entries

Common Postal Entry Mistakes

Entry Errors

• Missing required information
• Wrong address for entries
• Illegible writing
• Wrong format (postcard vs envelope)
• Missing deadline
• Forgetting postcode

Process Errors

• Insufficient postage
• Not allowing delivery time
• Not keeping copies/records
• Not checking weight for oversized entries

Organizing Postal Comping

Supply Kit

Keep Stock Of:

• Various postcard sizes
• Standard envelopes
• First and second class stamps
• Good quality pens
• Printer for labels (optional)

Processing System

Weekly Routine:

1. Collect postal opportunities
2. Research requirements
3. Prepare all entries
4. Check and double-check details
5. Apply correct postage
6. Post together efficiently
7. Record all entries sent

Tracking Postal Entries

Record:

• Competition name/brand
• Entry date
• Closing date
• Prize value
• Cost of entry
• Result (when known)

The Postal Advantage

Why Fewer People Enter

Barriers:

• Requires physical effort
• Cost involved (stamps)
• Less convenient than online
• Time to prepare and post

Your Advantage:

• Each barrier reduces competition
• Effort directly improves odds
• Consistent postal entering works
• Others' laziness is your gain

Real Impact on Odds

Typical Comparison:

• Online competition: 50,000+ entries
• Same competition postal: 500-2,000 entries
• 25-100x better odds for postal

Conclusion

Postal entries represent one of the best-value opportunities in comping. The effort and small cost create barriers that dramatically reduce competition, making high-value prizes genuinely achievable.

Develop a systematic approach: stock supplies, batch process entries, focus on high-value opportunities, and track your postal spending. The investment in stamps and postcards pays off with significantly improved odds on the prizes that matter most.

Find competitions with postal entry options on Sweepzy!