Read the Fine Print

Sweepstakes, contests and giveaways are all ploys to get the public more aware of a brand name, a company or a product. Sweepstakes are most often used when a product is new, when it features some object that is in hot demand by the public and when it is worth more exposure to give it away because of the advertising thatyoucan generate givingthis item away.

So, because you know that companies are becoming more wide spread, their products are featured in many places because they are giving large ticket items away free – what else do you think that the company who is giving the ‘stuff’ away if going to get from you the public?

Reading the fine lines of the rules and regulations when you are sending in your information for a sweepstakes you might want to think twice about some of the sweepstakes that you are sending in. Some companies are going to use your name and contact information to call or send you information on other products. When they do this by email, it is free to them and you agreed to it when you sent your name in for the contest so it is not spam.

Other companies are going to sell your contact information to companies who will have an interest in selling to you similar items. Some of the lists that are being sold off from sweepstakes are based on age, where you live, what you buy and if you are interested in certain items (cars, boats, food, education etc). You could be agreeing to this selling of your name, when you submit your information for a contest without reading all the rules.

If you do see that your name is going to be sold or used in a newsletter you should also read in the rules and regulations of a sweepstakes, that you can opt out of future letters, contact and from your name being sold – be sure to follow these statements if this is what you do in fact want!

Most often a company sets up a sweepstakes, a contest or a giveaway so that you the consumer will be more aware of their brand, what they have to offer and others will want what that one lucky grand prize winner has won so they will go out and buy it.