Winner Selection Process for a Sweepstakes

The one advantage to running a sweepstakes when compared to a contest is the low barrier to entry. A sweepstakes involves a random draw compared to a contest where the winner is selected by performing a certain skill. Depending on your marketing goals, you might select a sweepstakes to grow your email list or social following. The winner selection process for a sweepstakes might seem simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

When preparing rules for your sweepstakes, there are a few things you’ll have to include in the rules:

• Promotional Period – defines when the sweepstakes allows entries
• Eligibility – often age-restricted, some geographic restrictions
• How and Where to submit an entry – often includes a website to entry as well as a way to enter by mail/email/separate website
• When the drawing occurs – usually the day after the contest closes
• Winner Notification Process – how and when you’ll notify winners
• Restrictions & Conditions – often includes a “no family or employee of the sweepstakes sponsor” restriction, number of entries allowed, etc.

Winner Selection Process for a Sweepstakes After Drawing

Depending on the number of prizes, you might need to pull multiple winners. The sweepstakes administrator is responsible for following the winner selection process outlined in the rules. Once the winning entry is pulled, often with the use of an electronic random number generator, the winner will be contacted for further steps. The rules often include a certain timeframe that this “potential winner” has to respond. Here at RAVEN5 we include a release to use winner’s information when announcing the prize winner.

Check out my sweepstakes checklist blog for more tips preparing your sweepstakes. Wondering about what kind of prize you should give away in your contest or sweepstakes?

We at RAVEN5 are sweepstakes experts. Thinking you might need some help getting started? Contact us today to get started.

Jesse Bickerton, RAVEN5, July 2018

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