Does anyone actually win those contests you see advertised? Working in the tourism industry, we run promotions and giveaway vacation stays. Most times, winners do end up redeeming the vacation. I’m a fan of contests because I want to win. I’ve entered countless contests with prizes ranging from BBQ sauce to trips across the globe. I’ve won small stuff, like movie tickets from a Dove contest last year but nothing big.
I’d be a great contest winner because I’d provide added value with my blogging, tweets, Facebook posts and possible YouTube video postings. Do other contest winners offer this?
So, I’ve decided to start keeping track of what contests I enter and if I win anything. I plan to log every contest I enter for a year along with the results. If I win something sooner, I’ll post that along with how many contests to date I’ve entered.
What’s the purpose? I’m not sure other than satisfying my own curiosity as to how many contests I need to enter before winning something and if it’s possible to win a big prize – like a vacation, vehicle, expensive electronics item.
I want to know, have you ever won a contest? If so, who sponsored it, what did you have to do to win and what did you win?
I won a contest sponsored by Sephora and ELLE magazine. All I did was make a purchase on-line – I wasn’t even aware of the contest, which was a holiday promotion. I won a trip to a city of my choosing: Paris, Miami, or Los Angeles. It took a couple of years to get the trip organized. I went to Los Angeles because I didn’t have a passport at the time and couldn’t go to Paris. But I went to LA with a friend, and we had a blast. We stayed at the Mondrian for five days/four nights, and I got $1000 in cash. The tax bill for the whole prize wasn’t too terrible, either.
It’s so funny that you posted this, I was just thinking about doing the same thing the other night. I’ve entered contests here and there, but besides winning free books, lipstick, clothes and fishing equipment…I’m still waiting to win that car or vacation getaway.
Good luck with your contest entries!
Oooh! That’s so cool and glad someone real actually won! Congratulations!
You should keep track, too, and we can compare notes after a year!
Hi Jennifer,
Over the years, Michael and I have won quite a few contests, including a trip to Cancun, Hawaii, to several cook-offs, as well as a barbecue grill, olive oil, and CASH! We subscribe to the Cooking Contest Newsletter via the internet and it lists cooking, writing, and video contests that are all food-related in some way. I don’t like sweepstakes-type contests or contests that require voting (then it just becomes a popularity contest). I like to be able to use some creativity in coming up with new recipes and ideas and if we win – HOORAY! And, if we don’t win, we’ve had some fun and good food (usually) along the way. Happy Contesting!
That’s so awesome! I remember reading about the blog post about the hot pepper contest you won! I go either way on using the creativity – I like it because it seems as though you earn it and it’s fun to do but the entering a name and addy is so easy! To date, I’ve won a T-shirt but haven’t posted it until I actually receive it 🙂
Are you still keeping track of your winnings? You have won quite a few things since I have known you.
I’m keeping track of my winnings but not so much of what I’ve entered. Most of the things I’ve won have taken creativity vs. random luck – except for movie tickets.