Entering the fast-paced world of comping for the first time is very exciting, but it can also be slightly overwhelming. There are plenty of questions you need answers to, such as: Which prizes should you go for? How much time should you spend entering draws? Which competitions are legitimate?
To welcome you to the world of comping, and to help you get the most out of your new hobby, we've compiled a list of top tips for first-timers.
1. Be selective
Only enter competitions where you actually want the prize. One man’s trash is another man’s gold, and if you’re only entering to win, you run the risk of taking a prize you don’t particularly like away from someone who would treasure it.
What’s more, being a bit selective about the competitions you enter gives you more time to put into winning the things you really want!
2. Enter high-effort competitions
Competitions that require a good amount of effort tend to require you to flex your creative skills. The other good news is that due to the need for more time and dedication, fewer participants enter this type of competition - meaning you have a better chance of securing the prize.
What’s more, when you win these draws you’ll feel great, as you’re being judged on talent.
3. Get a special comping email address
Keeping your competition emails separate from those dealing with the rest of your life is a golden rule of comping. You don’t want spam filling up your current inbox, and opening a new email account just for comping will make sure you don’t miss any important emails about prizes you've won!
4. Don’t give up!
Most compers will go through one or two dry spells in their time, but don’t let this put you off your new favourite hobby. It will pay off in the end - and remember, you’re not losing out as comping is free so don’t get downhearted.
5. Make comping friends
Other compers can be a valuable resource. Making friends with others who share your love of comping is easy - just spend some time on forums on comping websites as well as Twitter and Facebook.
Not only will your new friends be privy to any hot competitions going around, but you can also share in their joy when they win, and inspire each other to keep going through the dry spells.
6. Get organised
Once you get into the swing of comping, you could be entering hundreds of competitions a week. In order to make the most of your time, you need to keep a good record of which competitions you’ve entered - you don’t want to waste time by entering again, after all!
7. Say thanks!
It’s always nice to be polite and thank the companies you’ve won prizes from. Twitter is the perfect place to do this as it will give the organisations a little publicity boost without annoying all your followers. By thanking companies in this way, you’re encouraging them to keep running competitions.
