Confessions of a new comper!

Regularshow

Hi everyone I'm a new comper (approx 2 weeks) and here are some confessions I'm hoping others did the same when they first started.

After thinking what the heck I'm going to try and win something I put maximum effort into entering anything and everything. I then sat back just waiting for my phone to ring and checking my email every 5 mins. I almost expected a lorry to drive to my house full of prizes but I admit I was getting a bit carried away with myself here!

Then I began to overthink things about how I entered, wondering if I should allow to subscribe to marketing newsletters etc and the fact I always checked no would mean I'm probably not going to win if I don't sign up to their spam.
Even things like how big the piece of paper I sent my name and phone number on to the itv comps caused me to alternate my methods of either folding my paper in half or cutting it to fit in one piece without folding.

Anyway I'm glad to say reality has kicked in somewhat after not winning anything yet and I now just enter things I would really like but please tell me everyone else did this the first time they started?
Any other confessions of a new comper?

gilliannb

All I can advise is be patient! ... and keep at it, Good luck

xoxlauraxox

I didn't expect to win when I started.. comping wasn't as huge then so I just did it as a hobby thinking I would probably be unlucky... that was 8 or 9 years ago. i'm still here and do win some lovely small prizes but i've not really won anything major for about 5 years... its so much harder now and most of the prizes aren't worth a huge amount.... but they do make me smile so I am happy keeps a busy and quite often anxious mind occupied.

MaineBlue

It could take you entering 1000+ comps a week and you don't win anything for months. Then again, you could enter 100 a week and win a couple within a few months.
Only enter comps if / when you have time and don't expect to win, so if / when you do win you'll appreciate it all the more.

SuperWin

I started around 6 years ago - and then had nearly 2 years off, then back again over the last week! After 3 days, I won eurostar tickets - I was amazed. However, after four years of comping, I know I can't rely on that. TBH, I must have entered anything between... 50 and 150 a day, depending. I never went a single month without a win, I would generally have a reasonable sized win, (which I consider worth £100 or more...) once a month and sometimes I had amazing months too. Checking emails every two seconds is definitely something a lot of compers do--- and you can get obsessed with other things, but it's best not to. Just enter and pretty much forget about it.... on to the next. I stopped for a while because I wasn't enjoying it, you need to enjoy the process really and you can burn out. Now I'm loving it again!

sleepyjones

If it was me, I wouldn't bother with the tatt, if you spend 6 hours a day entering everything and win a Fish Slice after a month (Some might see that as a victory, but), for me, that would be a waste of time. I'd rather spend less time only entering what I want to win then at the end of the month if I haven't won anything at all, at least I've only spent an hour or two per day.

You'll get into your own swing after a month or two, hopefully it will be rewarding for you.

Shadows136

I'm fairly new too, I've been comping for about a month. I spent ages initially wondering if I checked 'no' to newsletters if I'd somehow be automatically disqualified (luckily I have a separate email for comping alone, so it doesn't matter if I do check yes). I also wondered if I'd read the terms and conditions through a comment on here, but not on the direct link, if they would somehow know that too. So you're definitely not alone with the little worries!

I've settled into it now, I enter comps daily usually, and check emails daily, and I've just gotten into a nice little routine with it all. I actually quite enjoy just entering them, and seeing what comps are around.

I also had my first win today, which was lovely, only a small one (1 blu-ray/1 book), but I really didn't fully believe I would win anything so it's a nice little motivational boost to stick at it. Interestingly, I got absolutely no notice of winning, a parcel just arrived at my door!

Just try to settle into it, get a little routine going and don't let it take over your thoughts too much, I'm finding it really enjoyable now. Good luck!

jpwhittle

I started comping 10 years ago and there was a post on what to expect and do and it made alot of sense, back then there was less comps (weekdays would be 7 pages weekend 4), I had a long break in the middle for a few years but the advice is the same.
1 entering most comps it takes around 6 weeks on average for the first win
2 by entering most comps you can roughly expect 1 a week but can go longer
3 set up an email adress especially for comping that you dont mind getting spammed
4 use roboform or chrome autofill to make entering comps quicker

I cant remember the other points but hope this helps x

1972

When I enter the ITV comps, I write my details on the back of the envelope (like postcard entry), so I don't put any paper in the envelopes. I am now thinking this is the wring thing to do - would they put the info from my envelope in to be picked out?

nicococacola13

I'm newish to comping, i did it on and off for a year previously, now I'm doing it properly. I expected wins straight away and realised it probably wouldn't happen but I have won 4 things since joining (10 days ago). I do have a lot of spare time though to enter a lot as I'm on bed rest waiting for surgery. When you get your first win it definitely encourages you to carry on! :j I only let myself check emails in the morning though otherwise I would drive myself mad over doing it lol. Wins or not to me it's better than sat in bed staring at a TV all day lol, might aswell do something productive!