Getting Started

When I first started sweeping, I found a website called huronline.com that listed many internet sweepstakes. After a few months, I found some other sites that listed sweepstakes and began visiting several sites daily, but still huronline.com was the best single resource for sweepstakes information at that time.

Eventually, huronline.com became defunct, and I had no idea where to turn to get my sweepstakes "fix." Fortunately, I quickly discovered a new site -- online-sweepstakes.com -- that quickly put all other sites (including the lamented huronline) to shame.

Online-sweepstakes.com is without a doubt the best sweepstakes resource on the web. Thousands of members join together to surf the web and share information about current contests. There is no requirement to post new sweepstakes (particularly when you're new and just learning the ropes), but the collective efforts mean that over 100 new sweepstakes are posted daily. There is also a terrific community, collaborating to find answers to trivia contests, solving puzzles, sharing codes, and generally offering camaraderie for new and experienced sweepers alike.

When you visit online-sweepstakes.com for the first time, you'll see that the site offers a premium membership along with the general site access. Premium membership costs $30 annually, an amount that I find to be an incredible value. Premium members have access to more sweepstakes than regular visitors, including some of the lesser-known contests (with better odds) or sweepstakes with bigger prizes or more extensive prize offerings. You'll still find good prizes on the regular listings. In fact, some contests with ultra-fabulous prizes -- such as the annual HGTV Dream Home Giveaway are posted in the regular listings. Those contests are so widely known and well-advertised that everyone would find them anyhow. But premium members have access to some less-publicized gems that might otherwise be overlooked.

If you're brand new to sweeping, I would not necessarily opt for a premium membership right away. Start out with the regular access and make sure you really are ready to commit to the hobby before investing in a membership. Still, if you decide to dive in, a premium membership is well-worth it's modest cost.

Next week, organizing and entering contests...