You’ve read Do You Have What It Takes and found that you do indeed have what it takes to begin. You’ve got your tools and now you are chomping at the bit to get started. A huge amount of entries are immediately discarded each year, simply because people do not follow instructions. For some reason, when we become adults, we have a tendency to speed read, scan items and implement what we think we have just read. I recently went to a seminar and it was hilarious to watch the frazzled instructor.

He passed out the booklets and said, “Do not open these yet.” I looked around the room and over half the audience were already reading the information, totally disregarding his directions. Then he told us to use our pencils, which we were supposed to have brought with us. Guess what? Most of the people did not have one. Shaking his head, he began to read the instructions. I watched as a room full of people began to busy themselves with cell phones, digging in purses and doodling on note pads. So much for following instructions. Well it may have skated through in the seminar, but that kind of disregard for rules in the world of sweeping, will net you a low rate of return on your sweeping investment.

When a sponsor lists a set of rules, it is to be followed exactly. If they state; print your name, address, day and evening phone number, date of birth, etc., that is exactly what they demand, it is not an option. You can be disqualified, simply by not putting your complete mailing address. If the rules state 3x5 paper, that does not mean a 4x6 piece of paper. Below are examples of what your entries should look like.

Your entry should be clearly printed as follows:
FULL NAME
Full Mailing Address
(If requesting day and night phone numbers)
Day- 000-000-0000
Eve- 000-000-0000
(If requesting date of birth or age)
DOB: 00/00/0000
Age: 35

If the rules call for block letters, then make sure you use block letters. Some may even require you use blue or black ink. Always hand print your entries, unless otherwise stated. Doing your entries on a computer is never a good idea and could disqualify you. Give one of your entries to a friend and ask if they can clearly read everything. I had a friend who started sweeping and when I looked at her entries, I honestly could not read her handwriting, and I knew what her name was! So take your time and increase your chances of winning.

I want to hear from you. Do you have some creative ideas for sweeping? Share your thoughts on the Contests and Sweepstakes forum.
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To find out more about Editor and Author Sandy Lovern, please visit www.engaged-devotional.com!