OHHHH i hate instant as easy as it might seem to win I cant! Of course that might change when and if i win.

If only the boss really knew what we were doing at our desks. Then again his office blinds are closed sooo..

bad boy!

I am a contest freak. I spend at least an hour to 2 hours a day entering everything...lol
when it comes to contests "I'm in it to win it"
= )

I like contests with lots of prizes.

So Zeta do you win a lot?

That way, your chances are a lot higher. And it's interesting to see who else won.

The more prizes, the more likely I am to enter

The Nestea one....I won 2x on the first two days and have entered many more times, NADA...harder to win, once more enter...

I've entered around 25 times, still no wins from the Nestea :(

Internet contests are so much easier to win so the competition is so much greater than the mail in contest of the past decade.
Be willing to invest/waste a certain amount of time because the potnetial for winning is anticipation but be realistice because the chances are less than in the past.
contests that require a short essay or recipe get fewer entries.
I speak form exsperience.

What I really dislike is mail-in PIN entries, since it costs you to mail letters, and it costs you anyways to buy whatever product has the PINS.

just keep going

Georgia Straight
Saveland
Alliance/Saveland
CTV
V-Tech
Sony Canada
Warned Bros Canada
Chillonline
Exclaim.ca
Tribute
Dose
Metronews
Showbizmonkeys
Frommers
Robinhood.ca
Globoshoes
The Vancouver Sun
The Province
House & Home
Citytv
Wnetwork

You mostly have to be able to pick up for the newpaper/radio stations so those are only good contests for locals - therefore better odds for them!

I have had good luck with magazines - fashion types. Win lots of makeup, jewelry etc. Not great for the guys entering :)

I had good luck with Georgia Strait - won books, CDs, movie tickets. Also with Tribute - but when you win tickets for viewing make sure you are there well before it starts as they intend to give out more tickets then available chairs. They really want to fill the movie theater. I did get to see some very interesting movies.

Guppy - Absolutely agree on checking for local contests (as there's less entrants).

Csilla - Totally agree. I've had the most success with G. Straight of all sites over the years. Been with them for 7 - 8 years now ... indeed ... always get there 30 - 40 mins early (if possible) for screenings as it's first-come, first-served and sometimes they do promotional contests with a total of 3 - 7 different outfits (such as G. Straight / Vancouver Sun / Videomatica / The Beat 94.5FM / Virgin Radio / CTV / Showbizmonkeys / JR FM - Country, etc). They "overbook" (contest promotions) screenings as often time alot of people don't show up, and it's not worth their while to hold an event (with prizing) if limited numbers of people turn out ... as they're trying to market the film and gauge audience response, and also get the world out there (with people passing on the good word to their own friends/family).

I spend a minimum of 15 hours a week entering contests, I'm selective about the ones I enter, I give away about half of everything I win, and I shoot for $1,000 a month in prizes (value), though I don't always make the mark. Last year was a "slow" year, with $4,320 in prizes, but I was working preposterous hours for 6 months that year, and wasn't entering contests regularly. My average annual "take" is closer to $10,000. I keep strict records of my wins and prize values, to make sure I'm using my time wisely. I enter every contest expecting to win it...that's what keeps me going, 34 years later.

I entered a contest for a trip to Whistler for 4 people.  I only entered it maybe 2 or 3 times because I thought I would rather win a trip somewhere sandy and hot.  I won it and it was the best trip ever!  Well...my first trip actually.  I took my daughter, my best friend and her son.  It caused a family division!  Who do I pick to take with me?  The people that I didn't take won't talk to me anymore.  Life is such fun :)   

divine.ca is a good site for contests and for women in general.