Text Competitions: Complete Guide to SMS Prize Draws

Text Competitions: Complete Guide to SMS Prize Draws

Text-to-win competitions remain popular despite the digital age, offering quick entry methods and often lower competition than online alternatives. Understanding how they work and their true costs helps you use them effectively in your comping strategy.

Understanding Text Competitions

How Text Competitions Work

Basic Process:

1. See competition advertised
2. Text keyword to shortcode
3. Entry recorded automatically
4. Winners drawn and contacted

Entry Format:

• Keyword (exact word/phrase)
• Sent to shortcode (5-6 digit number)
• Standard or premium rate
• Sometimes requires answer

Types of Text Competitions

Standard Rate:

• Costs your normal text rate
• Often included in phone packages
• No additional charges
• Most common type

Premium Rate:

• Higher cost per text (£1-2+)
• Revenue generation for promoter
• Less common due to regulations
• Check costs before entering

Free Text Entries:

• Some competitions are genuinely free
• May use specific free shortcodes
• Read terms carefully

Where Text Competitions Appear

Common Sources:

• TV shows (during broadcasts)
• Radio programs
• Product packaging
• Print advertisements
• Retail displays
• Event promotions

Finding Text Competitions

TV and Radio

TV Competitions:

• Watch popular shows
• Daytime programming common
• Game shows and competitions
• Note shortcodes when advertised

Radio Competitions:

• Listen for on-air promotions
• Station websites list competitions
• Often tied to specific shows
• Time-sensitive opportunities

Product and Packaging

On-Pack Promotions:

• Check product packaging
• Look for promotional messages
• Note entry details clearly
• Check expiry dates

In-Store:

• Retail displays
• Point-of-sale promotions
• Receipt promotions
• Store magazine competitions

Print Media

Newspapers:

• Daily competition pages
• Supplement competitions
• Advertorial promotions

Magazines:

• Regular competition sections
• Reader offers pages
• Back page promotions

Entering Text Competitions

Entry Best Practices

Getting It Right:

• Copy keyword exactly as shown
• Check shortcode carefully (one digit wrong = failed entry)
• Send within entry period
• Keep confirmation text if received

Common Mistakes:

• Misspelling keywords
• Wrong shortcode numbers
• Missing entry windows
• Not including required information

Cost Considerations

Before Entering:

• Check cost per entry
• Calculate total if multiple entries
• Compare to prize value
• Factor into comping budget

Hidden Costs:

• Some shortcodes cost more than standard
• International roaming charges
• Reply messages may cost
• Subscription sign-ups disguised

Timing Your Entries

When to Enter:

• During advertised windows
• Consider time zone if specified
• Note daily/weekly entry limits
• Enter promptly for time-sensitive promotions

Text Competition Strategy

Evaluating Opportunities

Worth Entering:

• Standard rate entries
• High-value prizes
• Lower-competition promotions
• Products you're buying anyway

Approach with Caution:

• Premium rate competitions
• Low-value prizes vs entry cost
• Unclear cost structures
• Subscription-based entries

Volume vs Value

Strategic Approach:

• Focus on free/standard rate entries
• Be selective with premium rate
• Calculate cost per entry against odds
• Track text competition spending

Multiple Entries

When Allowed:

• Check if multiple entries permitted
• Calculate total cost
• Spread entries across time if daily limits
• Record all entries made

Avoiding Text Competition Pitfalls

Subscription Traps

Warning Signs:

• "Text to subscribe" promotions
• Ongoing charges after entry
• Membership requirements
• Unclear opt-out processes

Protection:

• Read all terms before texting
• Check what you're signing up for
• Know how to cancel if needed
• Report misleading promotions

Cost Surprises

Avoiding Unexpected Charges:

• Confirm cost before sending
• Check if replies cost money
• Understand "standard rate" meaning
• Monitor phone bill for charges

Scam Awareness

Red Flags:

• Unexpected "winner" texts
• Requests to text back to claim
• Links in unexpected messages
• Premium rate reply requests

Safe Practice:

• Only respond to expected contacts
• Never click suspicious links
• Verify through official channels
• Report scam texts

Recording and Tracking

What to Record

Entry Details:

• Competition name/source
• Keyword and shortcode
• Entry date and time
• Cost per entry
• Number of entries made
• Closing date
• Result

Why Tracking Matters

• Budget management
• Identify successful sources
• Avoid duplicate entries where not allowed
• Claim follow-up if needed

Winner Selection and Claims

How Winners Are Chosen

Random Selection:

• From all valid entries
• Using random number generation
• May be at set draw dates
• Or continuous throughout promotion

Winner Notification

Contact Methods:

• Phone call to number used
• Text message
• Email if provided
• Sometimes postal

Claiming Your Prize

When You Win:

1. Verify legitimacy of contact
2. Respond within deadline
3. Provide required information
4. Keep all correspondence
5. Follow up if prize delayed

TV Show Text Competitions

Popular Sources

Shows Running Competitions:

• This Morning
• Good Morning Britain
• Lorraine
• Various game shows
• Reality TV shows

TV Entry Tips

Best Practices:

• Have phone ready during shows
• Note details quickly
• Enter during advertised window
• Understand standard vs premium rates

Phone Entry Alternative

Many TV Competitions Offer:

• Text entry option
• Phone call option
• Online entry option
• Choose lowest cost method

Text vs Online Entry

When Text is Better

Advantages:

• Quick and convenient
• No internet needed
• Immediate entry confirmation
• Some text-only promotions

When Online is Better

Advantages:

• Usually free
• More information capacity
• Better tracking
• No cost concerns

Combined Approach

• Use online when available
• Reserve text for exclusive opportunities
• Consider cost vs convenience
• Track both types equally

Conclusion

Text competitions remain a valid part of comping strategy, especially for TV, radio, and product promotions. The key is understanding costs, entering correctly, and being selective about which text competitions offer good value.

Focus on standard rate entries, be cautious with premium rate, and always read the terms before texting. With careful management, text competitions can contribute nicely to your winning portfolio.

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