Entry Methods Explained

Understanding Competition Entry Methods

Not all competitions are created equal. The entry method dramatically affects both your chances of winning and the time investment required. Understanding each method helps you allocate your comping time more effectively.

Web Form Competitions

Overview

Web form competitions are the traditional online entry method. You complete a form on a website with your details and sometimes answer a question or provide additional information.

Types of Web Form Competitions

Simple registration forms:

• Enter name, email, sometimes address
• Usually one entry per person
• Quick and straightforward
• Moderate competition levels

Question-based entries:

• Answer a question about the brand/product
• May include tie-breaker questions
• Requires more engagement
• Fewer entries due to effort required

Multi-step campaigns:

• Several actions required (follow, subscribe, complete profile)
• Higher commitment filters out casual entrants
• Better odds for persistent entrants

Best Practices for Web Forms

1. Prepare your information Keep a document with commonly needed details:

   • Full name
   • Email addresses
   • Phone number
   • Address
   • Date of birth
   • Shirt size, shoe size (for fashion prizes)

2. Use autofill wisely Browser autofill speeds up entries, but always verify information is correct. Wrong details = invalidated entry.

3. Read the question carefully Tie-breaker questions often determine winners. Don't rush - a thoughtful answer beats a quick one.

4. Save confirmation pages Screenshot or save confirmation emails as proof of entry.

Pros and Cons

Social Media Competitions

Platform Breakdown

Instagram Competitions

The most popular platform for brand competitions.

Common requirements:

• Follow the account
• Like the post
• Tag friends in comments
• Share to stories
• Use specific hashtags

Instagram tips:

• Tag real friends who don't mind
• Avoid tagging the same people repeatedly
• Quality comments stand out
• Engage genuinely with the brand's content
• Stories shares often count as bonus entries

Entry time: 30 seconds - 2 minutes

Twitter/X Competitions

Fast-paced and high volume, but quick to enter.

Common requirements:

• Follow the account
• Retweet the post
• Reply with answer/hashtag
• Tag friends

Twitter/X tips:

• Don't delete retweets until the winner is announced
• Use all required hashtags exactly as shown
• Quote tweets may or may not count - check rules
• Avoid looking "too competition-focused" in your feed
• Engage with non-competition content occasionally

Entry time: 15-30 seconds

Facebook Competitions

Community-focused competitions often with engagement requirements.

Common requirements:

• Like/follow the page
• Comment on the post
• Share (sometimes optional)
• Tag friends

Facebook tips:

• Check if comments must be unique
• Genuine responses often preferred over generic "entered!"
• Share settings matter - public shares reach more people
• Facebook groups can be goldmines for competitions

Entry time: 30 seconds - 1 minute

TikTok Competitions

Growing rapidly, often requiring creative content.

Common requirements:

• Follow the account
• Create a video using specific sound/hashtag
• Duet or stitch original content
• Comment and like

TikTok tips:

• Video competitions have significantly fewer entries
• Creativity matters more than production quality
• Trending sounds increase visibility
• Engage authentically with the platform

Entry time: 5 minutes - 1 hour for video entries

Social Media Competition Strategy

Quick wins approach:

• Focus on follow/like/retweet competitions
• Set aside 15 minutes for rapid entries
• Use saved hashtags for efficiency

Quality approach:

• Prioritise competitions requiring genuine engagement
• Write thoughtful comments
• Create content that stands out
• Fewer entries but better odds

Instant Win Competitions

What Are Instant Wins?

Instant wins reveal immediately whether you've won. No waiting for draw dates - the result appears after entry.

Types of Instant Wins

Spin the wheel:

• Visual spinner determines outcome
• Often daily entry allowed
• Various prize tiers

Scratch cards:

• Digital scratch-off reveals result
• Usually one chance per day/period
• Quick and engaging

Code entry promotions:

• Unique codes from products
• Enter online to reveal prize
• Limited by code availability

Random moment wins:

• System selects winning moments in advance
• Entry at that exact moment wins
• Impossible to predict but rewarding

Instant Win Strategy

1. Enter daily - Most allow daily entries, maximising chances
2. Set reminders - Consistent daily entries compound odds
3. Try different times - Some believe certain times are luckier
4. Don't give up - Odds improve with persistence

Pros and Cons

Creative/Effort Competitions

Why Creative Competitions?

Creative competitions consistently offer the BEST odds for compers. Why? The effort required filters out 80-90% of potential entrants.

Types of Creative Entries

Photo competitions:

• Submit a photo matching a theme
• Can be simple smartphone shots
• Often judged on creativity, not quality

Video competitions:

• Create short videos (30 seconds - 2 minutes)
• Highest effort = lowest competition
• Doesn't require professional equipment

Written entries:

• Answer questions in creative ways
• Write short stories or poems
• Slogans and taglines

Recipe competitions:

• Create recipes using brand products
• May require photos of finished dish
• Popular with food brands

Creative Entry Tips

For photo competitions:

• Understand the theme thoroughly
• Natural lighting improves any photo
• Include the brand product naturally
• Consider unique angles or perspectives
• Edit lightly - authenticity wins

For written entries:

• Address the question directly
• Be genuine and personal
• Humour works when appropriate
• Proofread thoroughly
• Match the brand's tone

For video entries:

• Plan before filming
• Good audio matters more than video quality
• Keep within time limits
• Show enthusiasm and authenticity
• Simple edits are sufficient

The Effort-Odds Equation

Text/SMS Competitions

Understanding Text Competitions

Text competitions require sending an SMS to a shortcode, usually at standard network rate (approximately 15p).

Where to Find Them

• Supermarket promotional materials
• Product packaging
• Magazine advertisements
• In-store displays
• Radio promotions

Text Competition Advantages

Lower entry volumes:

• Small cost barrier dramatically reduces entries
• Even 15p stops most casual entrants
• Some competitions get only hundreds of entries vs millions

Better prize-to-entry ratios:

• Often significant prizes
• Multiple prizes in many promotions
• Regular draws during promotion periods

Cost Management

Budget approaches:

• Set monthly text competition budget (£5-10)
• Focus on promotions with multiple prizes
• Prioritise high-value prizes
• Track spending to stay in control

Free alternatives:

• Some promotions offer free postal entry
• Check terms for no-purchase-necessary routes
• Email entry sometimes available

Postal Competitions

The Lost Art of Postal Entry

Postal competitions are increasingly rare but offer exceptional odds.

Why Enter Postally?

• Entry volumes are dramatically lower
• Most people won't bother with postage
• Especially effective for magazine competitions
• No digital footprint created

Postal Entry Best Practices

1. Follow instructions exactly
2. Handwrite neatly or type entries
3. Use correct postage
4. Keep copies of entries
5. Post in time for deadlines

Cost Considerations

With postage costs increasing, calculate whether the prize value justifies entry. Generally worth it for prizes over £50 where digital alternatives exist.

Purchase-Required Promotions

How They Work

These promotions require buying a product to enter, usually by:

• Entering unique codes from packaging
• Submitting receipt images
• Scanning QR codes

Strategic Approach

Enter with planned purchases:

• Only buy products you'd normally use
• Look for promotional periods before shopping
• Stack with supermarket offers for value

Consider the maths:

• What's the chance of winning vs extra spend?
• Multiple prizes improve odds
• Instant wins can make each purchase exciting

No Purchase Necessary Routes

UK law requires free entry alternatives for purchase promotions. Look for:

• Postal entry addresses in terms
• Email entry options
• Limited daily online entries

Choosing Your Entry Method Mix

Time-Rich Strategy

If you have ample time:

• Prioritise creative competitions
• Enter video and photo competitions
• Focus on quality over quantity
• Target effort-based entries

Time-Poor Strategy

If time is limited:

• Quick social media entries
• Daily instant wins during breaks
• Automated reminder systems
• Focus on high-value prizes only

Balanced Approach

For most compers:

• 50% quick social media entries
• 30% instant wins and daily draws
• 20% creative/effort competitions
• Adjust based on success rates

Tracking Your Entry Method Success

Keep records of:

• Entries by method type
• Wins by method type
• Time spent per method
• Calculate wins per hour invested

This data helps optimise your strategy over time. Most compers find creative entries yield the best returns despite requiring more time per entry.