Now that you have your supplies, you need to have one spot you can designate as your work area. If you don’t carve yourself out a little cubbyhole, you will find yourself frustrated. With 3x5 cards on your bureau, envelopes on the counter and your stamps on your desk, you are going to be pulling your hair out.

I have a small rolling cart, which I picked up at a discount store, that has several drawers. In it I have the following items: assorted envelopes, index cards, paper, paper clips, postcards, pens, post it’s and my contest publications attached to a clipboard. My cart has wheels, so I can take it wherever I am going to be, whether that is watching television, sitting outside or working at my dining room table.

I also have a table set aside which is my work area. Here is where you can use all those dusty, decorative boxes and baskets you’ve collected over the holidays. I enter for all my family members so I need four sets of everything. In one box I have dividers made of cardboard which are labeled Sandy 3x5 Index, Sandy 3x5 Paper, Sandy 3½ Index, Sandy 3½ Paper, and the same goes for each member of my family. I can also see at a glance who needs more supplies made for their name. Then, while I am watching television, I can grab a pack of 3x5’s and pre-fill them out for whoever is running short.

What I mean by pre-filling is, I only put my name and address on the cards and papers. I do not fill in the phone number because many of the contests only call for name and address. Then, when I am entering sweeps, I just grab a handful of pre-filled cards and add the additional information needed such as: phone number, age, date of birth or additional wording required. When you’re a sweeper you will never again be agitated while having to wait in a doctor’s office. Another lovely bonus of your hobby!

Take a basket and fill it with assorted pens, magic markers, scissors, glue sticks, stapler and any other items you feel you might need. A 3-ring notebook is handy to keep all your completed contest publications in.

A good source for sweeps is paramount for your success. By subscribing to a contest publication, you are guaranteed a plentiful supply of contests. When you invest in a contest newsletter, make sure it has the following items: a wide range of sweeps, detailed explanations of rules and requirements, a list of other subscriber’s winnings, access to the editor for questions and simple instructions on how to use the contest publication.

I have been sweeping for many years now and some may disagree, but I have found when I subscribe to more than one publication, it is very easy to get confused on what you have already entered and what you have not. You don’t want to be disqualified from a sweep that is limited to one entry only, if the same sweepstakes is listed in multiple publications. Unless you keep excellent records, this can by risky.

Well, you have your tools now, your designated work area and some idea of what it’s going to cost you to start winning. Don’t let anyone fool you, this is work. Nothing aggravates me more than when I win something and someone says, “You are so lucky.” There is very little luck involved in sweeps, it is hard work, commitment, patience and persistence, but the payoff is great. To sum it all up, if you start out right, with a little organization and a lot of determination, you will be a success!

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!