How and where to win competitions in Australia

We see cars, appliances, cash and other giveaways everywhere but who is winning them? Recently, I won an air fryer thanks to HelloFresh. Previously, I scored a $200 Stanley Rogers voucher from HelloFresh too (I know a few people who have won in their competitions). With Maccas Monopoly, my friends Josh and Naomi won a car! So how can you win and which ones are the best to enter?

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5 Tips For ‘Comping’

Comping is a term people use for entering giveaways and competitions. For some, it is almost a full-time job and they love it. Given how many competitions and giveaways there are, statistically, if you enter a lot, you should win something. Last month I was asked to write an article about competitions so I decided to spend time enter every competition I came across to test it all. Previously, I have won thousands of dollars worth of stuff when I have been serious about it. Dresses, food, skincare, cash, books, makeup, everything you can think of. This time, I scored the air fryer but some of the competitions I entered haven’t finished yet. So we will see.

1. Get a different email address

Have a competition specific email address or your regular one will get overloaded. I have an email address I use for competitions as well as online surveys (find the best Aussie online surveys here). You will get inundated with marketing because it is often a condition of entry. A separate email saves your inbox.

2. Be active on social media

Some people set up separate social media accounts purely for entering competitions and giveaways. Facebook is strict about this but Instagram allows multiple accounts. However, being active and involved with a regular looking account can increase your chances of winning rather than a comping account. Some competitions now have it in their terms and conditions comping profiles are excluded from entering.

Also, social media has some incredible giveaways.

3. Don’t fall for scams

If something appears too good to be true, it probably is. Many of the competitions you see on Facebook where you share and could win an iPad, $10,000, tickets from an airline etc are often fake. Thoroughly check the account hosting or promoting the giveaway before you share anything.

Never click on links sent to you in email, messenger etc. Check the email address sending you the prize to see if it matches the competition or brand it claims to represent and check online to see the announcements for winners to confirm all is good.

4. You have to be in it to win it!

As basic as it sounds, you don’t win if you don’t enter. It can take time but it is something you can do while watching TV, waiting at school pick up or similar times.

5. 25 words or less

The more effort someone has to put into entering the less likely they are to do it. As a result, competitions or giveaways with numerous steps or requiring an answer always have fewer entries than those which are just like and share or random selection.

Where To Enter

Personally, I have won the most through companies I already use e.g. HelloFresh or blog giveaways. Here are a list of places recommended by myself and readers (check out this thread in the Facebook group for the full conversation).

Brands you use

We all have certain brands we buy for everything from food through to beauty products. How often do you enter the competitions they run? Until recently, I didn’t but my kids have wanted to now. So far, I have scored $699 worth of stuff through HelloFresh, a few free meals, ice cream and my kids are eagerly getting involved.

Check the social channels, catalogues and promotions for any brands you like and enter. Be sure to keep receipts when you buy them and follow the steps properly. Terms and conditions can be tricky at times but this has been the best way for me to win stuff lately.

Blogs

Many bloggers run giveaways regularly for anything and everything. Companies know bloggers have great audiences and want to get in front of them. Quite a few bloggers share their giveaways in this Aussie Facebook group.

Generally, if you follow bloggers you like they will share on their social pages when they are running giveaways.

Social media

Instagram and Facebook have been amazing for giveaways. Local businesses often run small giveaways which have fewer entries as they are open only to locals or only of interest to locals. Follow some of your favourite businesses on social media or look up your local area hashtags to see what competitions are around. E.g. if you are in Canberra, look up #Canberra or #CBR or #CanberraGiveaways and tags like that.

Competition sites

The most popular and genuine competition sites we’ve come across are competitions.com.au, Win Free Stuff, Mum Central, Mouth Of Mums and girl.com.au.

Magazines

As a teen, I had a friend who entered That’s Life and Take 5 every week. All those puzzles, crosswords and opportunities to pitch stories, send in photos etc. It was popular. While you can still get magazines at the shops, you can also enter numerous comps on the magazine websites. Mindfood is one I have liked and know a few people who have won things there.

Where do you enter and win competitions or giveaways?