Prior to plunging headlong into Internet sweepstaking, one of the first things you should learn how to do, is use your computer. Now don’t get offended. What I mean by using your computer is; know how to print, copy and paste and print screen. You may ask what any of this has to do with filling in your name, address and phone number on contest online entry forms?

If you have ever read any of the online contest rules, and I’m sure you have…then you know they all have very detailed instructions regarding that contest. A sample of what you might see could be: “Sponsor is not responsible for computer system, phone line, hardware, software or program malfunctions, or other errors, failures or delays in computer transmissions or network connections that are human or technical in nature. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting an electronic entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the "authorized account holder" in whose name the email account is registered, provided that person meets all eligibility criteria set forth in the Eligibility section of these Official Rules.”

You may still be wondering what any of this has to do with you entering all of those fun contests.

I once entered a contest online that involved spinning a wheel and the grand prize was $5000. Imagine my surprise when that wheel turned and turned, and then slowly stopped, smack dab on the $5000. The first thing I did was print out the page on my computer.

One way to do that is to open up a Word document on your computer, hit your Print Screen button, then simultaneously hit your Ctrl button and your “c” key. What you are doing, is telling your computer to copy. Then go to your Word document and simultaneously hit your Ctrl button and your “v” key. You are now telling your computer to paste the screen page into your Word document. Not all computers work like this, so test yours and find out how to print screen a web page.

A few weeks later I got a letter from the sponsor stating that their site had a mechanical problem and it seems many people also hit the $5000, but (and this is what is so important) I had to have proof that I had indeed hit the $5000. I pulled out my document with the actual picture of the screen on it and sent it back to them. I was awarded the $5000.

If you are entering contests and you get an email from one telling you you’ve won, print it out! Understand the sponsor’s responsibility in all of this. There must be some safeguards to protect them from random people saying they have won something, when they might not have. With no proof, print out, email confirmation, or print screen, why should the sponsor believe what you have to say?

Moral of the story. Always be willing to prove your win or be willing to lose it. Take some time to learn your computer’s printing capabilities and then, go win something!!!

Sweepstakes Your Guide To Winning! Get the inside scoop on how people are winning all of those sweepstakes and contests, and here's a clue, it's not all luck! This guide will give you step-by-step instructions on how to be a winner!

To read more from Editor and Author Sandy Lovern, please visit
Sandy Lovern; and Sweepstakes Success