The following tips are essential for sweepstakes beginners.  This article will help you provide you with all the information that you will need to get started in the sweeping hobby.  So read carefully, take notes and prepare to WIN.

The popularity of "sweeping" is starting to grow.  The poor economy, high unemployment and a few cable T.V. shows spotlighting sweepstakes have brought many new beginners into this hobby.  That's right it is a hobby and has to be treated as such.  If you enjoy entering sweepstakes and contest than you can maintain the enthusiasm and persistence to win.  If you don't enjoy yourself then you will eventually "burn out", get frustrated and quit.  This guide will provide you with the information that you will need to get started successfully.

1.  Prepare your personal information - This will include creating a new email account.  You will be entering hundreds if not thousands of sweepstakes.  You will receive large amounts of email and some of that will be spam.  By creating a new email account that is used solely for sweeping, you will keep the spam and online contest email separated from your existing email account.

2.  Always provide your correct personal information, when you are entering sweepstakes.  Some larger wins may require that you sign and notarize an affidavit.  If the name or address on the sweepstakes entry doesn't match the affidavit, your entry will be forfeited.

3.  Create a twitter and Face book account - If you already have an account at these services, then you are ahead of the game.  There are thousands of sweepstakes and contest being conducted on these sites.  Many of these sweepstakes are easy to enter and have great odds of winning.  twitter is my favorite because many of the contest only require that you "follow" a person and "Re-Tweet" their message.

4.  Use Roboform.  Roboform is software that allows you to store your personal information.  You can then at the push of a button fill out entire entry forms.  This is probably the most important tool that you will use in sweeping.  It saves time and allows you to enter many more sweepstakes.  It doesn't always fill out forms perfectly but it does a really good job.  Download Roboform

5.  Where to enter.  There are many different ways to find sweepstakes to enter.  Of course the best way is to use this website or the many others on the web.  These sites list good sweeps that have been checked for their fairness and ease of entry.

6.  How you will be notified.  Many sweepstakes require that you respond back to the sweepstakes provider with shipping info etc.  These providers will most often contact you by email.  However many companies will contact you by phone or certified letter if you win a large prize.  I have also received many wins in the mail with no notification whatsoever.  This is the reason that you should always provide accurate contact information when entering sweeps.