Comping Survival Kit

Hello again compers!  How is your week going, any nice wins to report?  Just one small one here of an Aussie body wash in the SuperSavvyMe instant win comp.  I seem to have good success with their instant wins, so they are always worth trying to enter on a daily basis.  Practical wins like that always come in handy don’t they – I don’t think I have bought body wash, shampoo or make up for ages now!  Have you been out enjoying the sun the last week, seems like spring has properly sprung doesn’t it!  I love this time of year and my head is already thinking about plans for the school summer holidays.  We only have 2 half terms left now then the children will be off for six weeks – hoping that the comping won’t take a downward slide because of it!

The spring months are still very quiet for us compers – I think my wins have been even quieter this year than they were last year.  I know quite a few compers who are just getting into comping though, so I thought it might be a nice idea to create a Comping Survival Kit Checklist for all you new compers – to get you started in the wonderful world of comping.

So what do you need if you want to start winning fabulous prizes:

• Compers News:  The first place you need to start looking is in your Compers News magazine – either in print form or via the digital copy online.  This will give you a good idea of what kind of comps are available, what the entry methods generally are and what kind of things you would like to win
• A Comping Wish List:  On a piece of paper, in a note in your phone or even as a spreadsheet on your PC if you like make a list of the prizes you would really like to focus on winning.  Sometimes it is all too easy to get carried away and enter comps for anything and everything, but if you have a Wish List to refer back to this will serve as a focus for your comping time – especially when time is short.
• Pens:  All good compers love stationery - I like to keep highlighter pens and red felt tips to highlight the comps I would like to enter in the Compers News magazine.  I mark those that need immediate attention in red, and mark any that require some creative thinking in orange.
• Postal Entry Supplies:  If you are going to delve into the world of postal comping you will need some extra things such as postcards (plain and picture designs), stamps and maybe even personalised stickers or stampers with your details on.  If you are only doing a few postcard comps a month, and your writing is beautiful you may not need these last items, but if you are really dedicated to postal comping these personalised items can save you hours of tie and lots of wrist ache!
• Ideas Notebook:  Keep a notebook of ideas if you are into your tie breaker and caption contests.  During seasons such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas keep a notebook with you to jot down witty or tie break ideas, ready for when you see that next raft of creative writing competitions pop up.
• Camera or Smartphone:  There are lots of great competitions to be won by sending in creative photos or videos.  Play around with the camera function on your phone, or with your handheld camera, and make sure you know how to use all the features such as zoom, cropping and filters.  Never take just one photo when you are looking to enter a photo competition – take lots and play around with features and functions until you have something imaginative and unique to enter with.  It is also nice to take a photo of you with your prize to send to the promoter once you have received it.  Compers love to see that real people actually win the prizes that are offered, and it does wonders for your relationship with the promoter too.
• Shopping list:  When you are flicking through the Compers News make a list of all the on-pack promotions you would like to keep an eye out for.  Keep this list with you in your purse or on your phone, so that when you are out shopping you won’t forget to pick up those all-important promotional packs, so that you can enter the competitions.
• Tea & Coffee:  Nothing better than sitting down in the evening with your Compers News, a stack of postcards and a big mug of your favourite beverage.  Substitute with a glass of wine if you fancy, but beware that your handwriting doesn’t suffer as a result!
• Patience:  Winning prizes isn’t an instant gratification – we advise people that three months of regular comping is about the minimum timeframe to start seeing results.  Don’t expect to start seeing prizes flooding in during your first week, be patient, persevere and have faith that your efforts will pay off in the end.
• Prize List:  When your WEMs (Winning Emails) and WTCs (Winning Text Confirmations) start flooding in it can be nice to keep track of what you have won.  I like to keep a spreadsheet on my PC where I detail when I won the prize, who with, what entry method and a rough value.  That way if the prize hasn’t turned up within a month or so you can remember to contact the promoter to chase it up.  This prize list can also act as a great morale boost during dry spells, as it will remind you of all the great things you have already won, and hopefully spur you on to continue with your comping.
• Comping Friends:  All hobbies are much more enjoyable with friends, and comping is no exception.  It can be a lovely thing to have a long chat with someone, either in person or via the internet about comping in general, swap tips and tricks and even tag you in on comps you or they may like to enter.  Pop into the Chatterbox Forum on a regular basis, or visit us on social media and start making comping friends, to help keep your hobby sociable and fun.

So if you are new to this wonderful hobby, hopefully this list is enough to get you well on your way to winning your first prizes.  Do let us know if there is anything else you would add to this Survival Kit, and let us know how you get on with your winning too!

Happy comping and lots of Lucky Dust to you all!

Kirsty x