Winning secrets of sweepstakes club pros

Individuals who enter -- and win -- lots of contest say it's a mix of luck, persistence and, surprisingly, strategy. Below are some low-tech and-tech tips which means you, too, may become a champion.

Low-Tech Tips

Better odds with email. Since several contest are moving online, old-fashioned email contests are seeing less records. Anytime you will find less records, you've better odds.

Get more information at much more contest tips.

Get more information at tips about being safe when you enter contest.

Stick to the rules exactly. Do not get disqualified for technical mistakes. Pay scrupulous focus on the guidelines. For instance, when the contest requires a catalog card, don't send a sheet of paper. Should you must make use of a number 10 envelope, don't send a more compact one.

Send a thanks note. When won by you a tournament, write the sponsor and also the administrator notecards to exhibit your appreciation. You would like them to believe that their marketing is working and also to create MORE contest. And you need to perform their list for future contests while offering.

Enter abilities contests. You need to enter contests which have less competition. Less people enter contests that need an art just like a recipe or perhaps an essay, if you possess these talents, you'll have better odds.

High-Tech Tips

Websites compile contest. These websites compile major contest, have forums where sweepers trade tips, and provide contest entry merchandise like the envelopes and software.

Online-contest.com

Winprizesonline.com

SweepstakesHub.com

Try Twitter, Facebook, blog contests. Increasingly more contest can be found on Facebook, blogs and Twitter. Because not everyone takes part using these online forums -- and since the bulletins can appear and disappear awfully fast -- you might have an improved chance of winning.

Use form-filler software. Sweepers recommend software that fills inside your title, address and so forth using the click of the mouse. Two popular programs are Roboform and Autofill. Along similar lines, the "Shortkeys" program allows you develop macros to simply complete information you're frequently needed to go in. Another shortcut is by using the pre-programmed configurations in your mouse for single-click maneuvers.

Web-Extra Tips

Enter Contests With Multiple Awards Try entering contest with several awards rather than one large prize. Second place continues to be a prize -- and frequently an awesome one.

Choose Contests With Better Odds

Anytime you will see more awards or less odds, that's a contest to test for. For instance, some contests provide a week-lengthy trip for first prize but a weekend for second, and so forth. Other medication is restricted to alumni, or individuals your condition or dog proprietors, etc.

Enter Local, Lesser-Known Contest

Local contest are frequently better possibilities because less people enter. Avoid entering heavily marketed contest or, a minimum of, do not get your hopes up.

Pay attention to radio stations

R / c continue to be a large supply of contests. The greater stations you pay attention to, the greater contests you'll learn about. Or take a look at local radio station websites.

Enter Frequently

Devoted sweepers enter as much as 300 each day, 9,000 per month -- after which win maybe five things. It is a amounts game. The greater you intend, the greater chances to win.

Willie nelson's band tour bus crashes in texas

Willie Nelson works at Farm Aid 2013 in the Saratoga Carrying out Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New You are able to on Sept. 21, 2013.

Three of Willie Nelson's bandmates were put in the hospital and Nelson's tour suspended following the band's coach crashed on 'life was imple' near Sulphur Springs, Texas.

"Willie Nelson's team released an argument of the website and Facebook today stating that icy conditions were the reason for the accident, which happened at 3:30am on the bridge off Interstate 30, roughly 80 miles northeast of Dallas.

"Willie Nelson's band bus (not Willie's bus) was at any sort of accident overnight on icy I-30. 3 people from the family were put in the hospital. More information is going to be launched once we have it,Inch the statement stated.

A speaker with Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that Willie Nelson was this is not on public transit which the motive force from the bus was battling to travel through heavy rain and powerful winds prior to the vehicle crashed right into a bridge pillar.

Trooper Sylvia Jennings stated five band people and driver were aboard, only three were hurt and brought to Hopkins County Memorial Hospital soon after the accident.

Drummer, Robert Paul British sustained probably the most serious injuries, having a damaged stylish, while bandmates Billie Jean British and Thomas Ray Hawkins received merely a couple of bruises and bumps, stated Jennings.

Nelson's repetition confirmed the 3 happen to be since launched in the hospital.

The famous American country singer-songwriter was scheduled to do in the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Miss., on Saturday evening, however the concert continues to be postponed, together with the Nelson's last four dates in November.

"The 2010 Willie Nelson tour has been frozen indefinitely," Nelson's reps authored. "We'll publish more if this opens up.Inch

Will women register for selective service?

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today lifted the prohibit on women serving in combat positions, opening the doorway to greater than 200,000 new military posts and raising numerous important questions, including: Will women eventually become qualified for that draft?

Legally, all male U.S. people and permanent citizens must register using the Selective Service System within thirty days of the 18th birthday. Registration puts individuals "male persons" out there the federal government uses if the draft returns and conscription within the military is considered necessary currently of war.

By a 1994 review, women remained as exempt from signing up because they didn't serve in combat positions. Present day alternation in Government policy, however, could ultimately create a switch to what the law states.

But it'll take not only the stroke from the defense secretary's pen for that Selective Service Act to incorporate reference to women.

With any switch to personnel guidelines, the Defense Department is "needed to supply an analysis of their effect on the Selective Service Act," stated a senior Government official stated on the health of anonymity. "To ensure that will participate the notification to Congress."

But what comes next is unclear.

"Regarding what's going to happen after that, I can not say," stated the state.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta later accepted to reporters he, too, would never know the possibility impact from the switch to the Selective Service Act.

"That isn't our operation," stated Panetta.

Noted for his utilization of colorful language, Panetta then stated, "I'm not sure who the hell controls Selective Service, if you wish to be aware of truth."

"But, you realize,Inch Panetta added. "Whomever does, they are going to need to exercise some judgment according to what we should just did."

The Selective Service Product is a federal agency in addition to the Dod.

Will carrie fisher reprise the role of princess leia in new 'star wars'?

Barbara Fisher starred as Princess Leia in 1977 and grew to become a symbol on her role in "The Exorcist." Thirty-six years later, at 56, are you able to picture her coming back in "The Exorcist: Episode VII"?

Palm Beach Highlighted place the question to her, had a one-word answer - and today the entertainment world is abuzz with head lines like "Barbara Fisher to come back as Princess Leia."

PHOTOS: The Exorcist Engagement Shoot

This is what really was requested:

Q: "Disney will continue the 'Star Wars' saga, creating movies set hitting theaters beginning in 2015. Are you able to confirm whether you'll reprise the function of Princess Leia?"

A: "Yes."

Q: "What is your opinion Princess Leia is much like today?"

A: "Seniors. She's within an intergalactic old folks' home [laughs]. I simply think she'd be much like she was before, only reduced and fewer inclined to become up for that large fight."

PHOTOS: The Exorcist Legos - in Miniature

A repetition for Fisher stated nothing is proven. LucasFilm, which made the initial "The Exorcist" films, stated, "At this time around we're not prepared to make any bulletins about casting because, as Yoda stated, 'Always moving may be the future.'"

PHOTOS: The Exorcist Merchandise

The Wally Disney Company (parents company of Caramba Today) now is the owner of LucasFilm, and Disney's Boss, Bob Iger, reaffirmed today in the annual investors meeting in Phoenix that the organization is developing "some stand alone movies" additionally to "The Exorcist" episodes 7, 8 and 9 which will feature figures in the original series. Iger did not say which figures may be featured within the new films.

Would you need to begin to see the original Princess Leia create a comeback? Please tell us.

Getty Images AP Image

Wife of miami dolphins qb leaves her assault rifle behind

(Image Credit: Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/ Getty Images)

Sure, luggage, purses and secrets have accidentally been left out in car rentals, but a rifle?

Lauren Tannehill, the wife of Miami Whales quarterback Ryan Tannehill, made AR-15 rifle within the back burner of the rental vehicle earlier this year, based on an accidents report in the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Hrs after Tannehill came back a 2013 Nissan Rogue to E-Z Rent-A-Vehicle in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the automobile was leased to a brand new You are able to lady who later found the assault rifle guaranteed within the back burner, government bodies stated.

The gun was surrended to government bodies on Jan. 6. Government bodies stated they determined the gun was legally possessed and left out accidentally.

It had been unclear whether Tannehill had acquired the gun from government bodies, who authored within the are convinced that the dog owner have been informed to follow-up using the Hillsboro Beach Police Department.

A representative for that Miami Whales told ABCNews.com the Tannehills think about the incident a "personal matter" and wouldn't be delivering an argument.

Tannehill, one, has formerly published pictures to social networking of her and her quarterback husband shooting guns.

Don't wreck havoc on me #imfromtx pic.twitter.com/5UKmlNBe

- Lauren Tannehill (@LaurenTannehill) April 21, 2012

Why tamera mowry cried to oprah about her interracial marriage

Michael Buckner/Getty Images

It is a side of Tamera Mowry-Housley many people aren't accustomed to seeing.

Half from the bubbly identical twin stars from the 90s television sitcom "Sister, Sister" and reality show "Tia & Tamera," Mowry clogged back tears as she opened up on "The famous host oprah: Where Could They Be Now?" concerning the hateful comments she's become on social networking since her interracial marriage to Fox News Funnel correspondent Adam Housley this year.

"I have never experienced a lot hate, ever, within my existence," Mowry-Housley, who co-hosts "The Actual,Inch stated, wiping away tears while sitting beside twin Tia Mowry.

Tamera Mowry-Housley: I Lost My Virginity at 29

She then remembered a few of the comments: "Whitened man's whore." "In older days, you cost $300, however, you are passing on away free of charge.Inch

What are specifically difficult to hear because Mowry-Housley was raised inside a biracial family.

"My mother is really a beautiful black lady and my father is definitely an amazing whitened guy, and that i was raised visiting a family," she stated.

Among the worst comments, she stated, involves her twin sister, who's married to actor Cory Hardrict.

Tamera Mowry-Housley, Adam Housley Welcome Baby Aden

"They are saying, 'Oh, Tia's a real black lady because she married a black guy,'" Mowry-Housley remembered. "Oh - I am a lesser black person since i married whitened?"

Mowry-Housley does not allow the negativity get when it comes to her relationship with Housley as well as their 1-year-old boy Aden, though.

"I really like my hubby a lot, I really like us, I really like our dynamic. I am proud to stay in the connection that i'm since it is according to love," Mowry-Housley stated. "Pure love."

Browse the video below:

Why nora ephron gave us heartburn

The very first day we did not think it had been funny. The great Nora Ephron died last evening at 71. It's sudden—a vigil on Twitter, a flurry of worried texts from buddies, after which Tuesday evening the bell tolled. Ephron, the legendary author and director, passed away of pneumonia, a complication of myeloid leukemia. That which was least funny of was the number of people obsessive fans who imagined of meeting the awesome, amusing and incomparable Nora—and start a quick friendship—never will. " Irrrve never reached be Nora's friend," authored the truly amazing Joan Juliet Buck, in seeming disbelief, today. I understand precisely how she gets. How's that possible? I would request Nora Ephron if your starstruck outsider could ever understand her Upper West Side, or maybe we ought to quit trying. I would request her about dealing with Dork Chappelle in You Have Mail. I would praise her essays in the seventies on Pat Noisy and Linda Lovelace. I would be quiet so she might make jokes I'd always remember. I would be Nora Ephron's friend, dammit. Sure, most likely the fantasy of the perfect soul-merger with Ephron was always only a fantasy. Nobody lady must have needed to area all individuals offers of friendship and expressions of sisterly awe. To possess what she was having—that's what we should wanted. The candid, shrewd essays. The fully-felt romance with and very satisfying divorce from that schmo Carl Bernstein. The pleased motherhood. The liberty to state we could not care less concerning the budget crisis. The comic lines have a tendency to arrived right—and then your sudden turns in language and stagecraft that lightly blew the center open. The 2nd and third and 4th careers like a novelist and film writer as well as director. The design and style, sparkle and stylish leather-clad slimness at each age. And also the fabulous, sexy and merry marriage to Nick Pileggi—Nick and Nora!—that, metropolitan rumor been with them, involved numerous of in some way unpretentious time on yachts. For which appeared like the majority of the eighties, my mother, just Ephron's age, clutched a paperback of Acid reflux just like a pack of any nicotine products. Her favorite scene was the main one where Rachel decides there is no returning: her marriage has ended. She bequeathed Ephron's words in my experience like something in the Tao Te Ching. "Basically throw this cake at him, he'll never love me. But he does not love me anyway. In order to toss the cake if I wish to.Inch

What goes on when women stop attempting to make males love them? A fascination with this intriguing phenomenon what food was in plainly the center of Ephron's work, and also the answer was equally obvious: Existence starts. You toss the cake. After which, as she recounted lately in I Recall Nothing, things start exercising. Your husband leaves. You fall in tangible love. Your children thrive. The discomfort recedes. And things become interesting again, after which a lot more interesting, after which yachts are participating, and it is rewarding outside your craziest dreams, and funny. "Maybe I miss only the thought of Helen," Harry states, to Sally, in When Harry Met Sally. Billy Very, as Harry, waits an ideal beat. "No, I miss the entire Helen." The road in the script that Nora Ephron authored together with her sister Delia enacts a signature and wonderful Ephron move: Maybe situations are complicated not a chance, they are simple. Ephron declined the "counterproductive"—a crude commodity among female essayists, to create the alternative of what is felt and true—and accepted, rather, the intuitive: good food, romantic love and full-on humanness by means of vanity and laughter and grief and dorkiness. Ephron declined the important to worry about things she did not worry about, or get alarmist and guilty about her pleasures. She also labored just like a demon. Even though authors without Ephron's nerve and brio were staying away from or decrying everything digital, You Have Mail freed audiences to savor the e-mail beep, text-message bonk and play of online details that now signal connection. Which was a massive gift to new Web customers, right at the beginning of digital revolution. "You Have Mail." Ugh—how annoying that now sounds. But Ephron was right: e-mail was exciting for some time. And today it's funny, an excellent manifestation of the occasions. Obviously it's funny. Because, in Ephron's world, not thinking it's funny never was a choice for lengthy. "The very first day I did not think it had been funny" may be the opening type of Acid reflux, that masterpiece that set a lot of women free. What Rachel does not think is funny is the fact that her short husband leaves her for his tall mistress while she, Rachel, is seven several weeks pregnant. Try not to worry: during the day two, she's in to the laughs. We'll miss you, Nora.

Why mariska hargitay races home at the end of the day

(Photo Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

Mariska Hargitay was floored when fans of "Law & Order: SVU" started delivering her mail that wasn't just adoring her performance on the program, but revealing their very own tales of abuse.

"The theme in most the mail was isolation, shame and fear," she told Caramba Today.

"SVU" means Special Sufferers Unit, a department of police force that are responsible for sexually based offenses considered especially heinous. Submerging herself in these kinds of crimes to adequately portray Detective Olivia Benson, Hargitay stated she discovered staggering statistics.

"Every two minutes a lady within the U . s . States is sexually attacked," she stated. "I had been much like 'What!?'"

Her answer was Pleased Heart in 2004 and today no More campaign, an attempt to place domestic assault and sexual assault under one blue circular symbol similar to the pink ribbon for cancer of the breast or even the red-colored ribbon for Aids. The campaign also encourages action and raising awareness about abuse.

Read: 'Law & Order: SVU' Returns With Cliffhanger

Hargitay, 49, covers some pretty dark content on the program, and apart from her use Pleased Heart, she stated her "incredibly encouraging" husband Peter Hermann and three children - August, 7 Amaya, 2 and Andrew, 2 - would be the "cleverest light" in her own world, despite the pitch-dark moments she's shot.

A season 15 premier by which her character occured hostage with a rapist.

"They've a lot pleasure and that i see their face plus they can hold me from anything." she stated. "I simply race home from work and it is major."

Her boy August, only in second grade, continues to be trying to puzzle out mommy's fame and her effect on people - off and on screen.

"We walk lower the road and individuals are just like, 'Olivia, I really like you!'" she stated. "He's like, 'Mommy, how come everybody adore you?AInch

She stated the job she and Hermann do to boost awareness and spread kindness is one thing August is completely obtaining on and discussing together with his more youthful brothers and sisters.

See: Hollywood's Most adorable Kids

"[Amaya and Andrew] love their your government," she stated. "They perform a large amount of repeating of the items he states. They're just attempting to impress him and obtain his attention. He's the king. They're like little parrots."

Regardless of what pops up within the show, however nasty, Hargitay stated her house is the area have a tendency to brings her peace.

"Our home is much like the most amazing, chaotic mess of affection and pleasure, fun and craziness," she added. "It is the fun house."

Why john kerry wants you to drink moldovan wine

Image credit: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo

John Kerry was at Moldova today, among some other reasons to advertise its wine.

Because the first U.S. secretary of condition to go to Moldova since James Baker visited in 1992, Kerry together with a vineyard and tried its wares, unveiling a brand new label which will embellish Moldovan wines offered abroad. He introduced a trade mission which will send Moldova wine-makers towards the U.S. to discover the American wine market.

Wines are a substantial export for Europe's littlest economy: By 2005, Moldova rated seventh in world wine exporters, based on the Moldova Wine Guild, which notes that Moldova is "highly determined by wine," which forms the "backbone from the farming sector." In '09, Moldova released $161.4 million in wine based on a study by Moldova's economic ministry.

Find out more: Ukraine's Protests Look Dissimilar to Russian Eyes

How come Kerry care a lot about Moldovan wine?

The solution has related to Europe, Russia and protests raging at this time in Ukraine.

Moldova, together with Georgia, lately completed a trade partnership using the Eu. Roughly 290 miles north of Moldova's capital, Chisinau, where Kerry visited with Moldova's leader where he consumed wine on Tuesday, protesters have grabbed areas of Kiev to protest Ukranian Leader Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign an identical agreement using the EU.

Kerry, particularly, made a decision to visit Moldova rather than Ukraine, congratulating Moldova on its EU partnership within an appearance with Leader Nicolae Timofti.

Find out more: A Great Deal on the line for Russia in Fight for Ukraine

In Kiev, foreign-ministerial (also known as, Kerry-level) conferences from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will convene tomorrow, however the U.S. sent Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland in Kerry's stead. While Condition Department authorities have refused that Kerry's non-attendance is supposed to register disapproval with Ukraine because of its potential to deal with the EU trade deal, Kerry has mentioned clearly he wants Ukraine to sign the offer - along with a senior U.S. official confirmed now the visit to Moldova was planned, simply, to exhibit support for such contracts in former Eastern Bloc nations.

Russia does not such as these deals, voicing fears that they may hurt its very own exports, and it has compelled publish-Soviet states against starting to warm up towards the EU.

Moldovan wine, some say, is really a prime example.

In September, Russia introduced it might prohibit imports of Moldovan wine, alleging harmful particles inside it. That move continues to be seen by a few as retaliation against Moldova's warming to Europe.

Go into the U.S. and also the EU.

The U.S. will aim to help Moldova find new marketplaces because of its wine, a senior U.S. official stated now, although it's unclear how, exactly, beyond inviting Moldovan wine-makers towards the U.S. The EU, meanwhile, has decreased its charges on Moldovan wine imports, Condition Department speaker Marie Harf told reporters today. In the wine industry, Moldova has faced challenging much like ones faced by nations for example Ukraine - -which faced limitations on exports to Russia since it's talks using the EU ramped up recently - and also the same question of where you can sell its goods, otherwise in Russia, and just how much European marketplaces count if Russia intends to shut itself off as a result of EU close ties.

Ukraine, Moldova along with other states need incentives in the EU "anticipating and countering particularly exactly what the Russian efforts happen to be to undermine these countries' pathways," Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky told reporters on the business call Monday.

Quite simply: Kerry's wine diplomacy is less concerning the tannins, and much more concerning the European Union's competition with Russia over spheres of monetary influence.

Why dish dropping amc may be good for consumers

(Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC)

DISH Network clients who're fans of AMC's popular tv shows "Mad Males" and "Breaking Bad" might be in arms concerning the satellite company's decision to decrease the cable funnel, but customers can use the chance to save cash.

Shaun Blyskal, a senior editor with Consumer Reviews, stated potential DISH clients and existing clients should call the organization and then try to negotiate whether special deal or even more add-on channels, for example six several weeks of free Cinemax or any other service.

"It certainly may well be a negotiating nick when you are handling a fee every month,Inch Blyskal stated.

Beginning earlier this Saturday, DISH no more offered AMC Systems to the customers after determining to not renew its contract "because of the channels' expense in comparison for their relatively low viewership," based on a business statement.

Bob Toevs, a spokesperson for DISH, stated the organization doesn't anticipate lowering its cost consequently of no more offering AMC. DISH will rather provide HDNet Movies, Style and HDNet.

Toevs stated DISH was the only real compensated television provider this year that didn't raise prices on base packages.

"It is something we work very difficult to minimize," Toevs stated.

Inside a Consumer Reviews survey, 40 % of clients who bargained using their cable and Internet companies received savings as high as $50 per month, like a waiver of installation and activation costs and free premium channels.

Beginning at $2 a chapter, fans can view popular AMC shows on iTunes or Amazon . com.com, though frequently having a delay. Otherwise, AMC provides an internet site and telephone number to help DISH clients who might want to change to another compensated television provider.

Unless of course you reside in New You are able to City and also have to hold back days for that installation, Blyskal stated it's "generally easy" to change.

"There's competition available and they are wanting to steal clients," he stated.

Blyskal stated Dish is commonly less expensive than its satellite competitor, Directv, though both companies received high scores for television picture, seem and funnel collection, based on market research of Consumer Reviews visitors released in the June 2012 problem.

"So DISH is type of a good deal already," Blyskal stated.

But clients of both satellite companies had more problems than average with billing and matching support, laptop computer found.

Presently, DISH is providing special prices from $19.99 because of its entry package to $40 per month for 250 channels.

DISH stated AMC Systems needed it to supply "low-ranked channels like IFC so we to gain access to a couple of popular AMC shows." The satellite provider stated AMC also "further devalued" its programming by looking into making its number of popular shows open to customers via iTunes, Netflix and Amazon . com.com.

AMC fired back by giving an argument on Sunday, saying, "DISH states put its clients first yet they have removed DISH viewers' favorite scripted drama series, AMC's 'The Walking Dead'," the greatest-ranked scripted drama series in fundamental cable history, based on Nielsen Media Research.

"DISH dropped our systems not due to rankings or rates," AMC stated within the statement. "Actually, DISH hasn't talked about rates around whatsoever. DISH clients have forfeit a few of their favorite shows due to an unrelated suit that has nothing whatsoever related to our programming."

AMC is suing Dish for $2.5 billion in damages after DISH dropped AMC's Voom HD Systems. The suit, filed in 2008, is scheduled to visit trial Sept. 18 in New You are able to Condition Top Court.