Print all information neatly and legibly. Include all the information requested by each sweepstakes in the order requested, exactly as shown, including capitalization, punctuation, and abbreviations. Information requested is usually your name, address, and zip code (NAZ), phone, age, and some sort of qualifier. Make sure you provide all information in the specified order.

If a 3x5 paper is specified, use paper, and if a 3x5 card is specified, use an index card or card stock. If a plain card is specified, then use plain, white, unlined index cards. We recommend that you use plain, white, unlined index cards or papers for all of your entries. There is no need to get fancy or decorate the 3x5 because typically the envelopes aren't opened until the entries are picked as potential winners.

Unless otherwise noted, print (not write) all information. If the sweepstakes specifies that you print block letters, print small capital letters, like this: BLOCK LETTERS.

Unless specified, you may use any size envelope in any color or with any design. Many sweepstakes require #10 envelopes (4.125 x 9.5 inches). When specified, use plain white #10 envelopes, otherwise, you may use any color #10 envelope.

You may hand address, type, or use some sort of label on the outside of the envelope unless specified otherwise. A few sweepstakes require hand-addressed envelopes only.

A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) is an envelope that you address to yourself and include the postage on it. Include this when you are sending for official rules or game pieces. You should always use a #10 envelope. There are a few states in which return postage is not required, such as WA and VT. The official rules will state whether postage is required for the return envelope, and we specify this in our NOTE: section.

Unless otherwise noted, mail your entry using the address exactly as shown. All addresses are taken directly from the official rules, so for example, if the state on the address is spelled out, use the spelled-out version for your entry. The same applies for capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Unless otherwise specified, all postcards submitted should be a minimum size of 3.5x5 inches. The post office will not deliver anything smaller. If no specific size postcard is required, we suggest using the standard postcards that you can buy from the US Post Office, which measure 3.5x5.5 inches. Postcards measuring more than 4.25x6 inches require extra postage (33 cents).

Do not mail a postcard in an envelope. A return address is optional, and you may use return address labels or stamps.

When providing your NAZ and other information on the postcard, write them in the opposite direction as the front of the card. This helps prevent the Post Office from sending the postcard back to you.

Any restrictions are stated in the NOTE: section of each sweepstakes. Limit usually one prize per family or household. Entry requirements are noted for each sweepstakes, such as age, entry limitations, residency, and so forth. Sweepstakes are those contests that require entry with a 3x5 or postcard containing general information, and the winners are picked in a random fashion. Contests are those that require some sort of creative information, such as a recipe, short story or poem, photograph, and so forth. Each contest states exactly what is required to enter. Unless noted, all sweepstakes and contests are open to the general public. Employees of sponsors, sponsoring products, and judging agencies are not eligible for contests in which they promote. Sponsors and judging agencies are noted in the official rules, of which we always keep a copy. If you have any questions about a particular sweepstakes, please send us mail.

When you win a larger prize, the sponsor and/or judging agency usually requires that you sign and notarize an affidavit and return it within a certain amount of time. Follow all instructions carefully. Some prizes will be delivered to you without advance notice and sometimes without any correspondence, for example, a T-shirt, so you may not even know which contest you won. Other times, you may have to sign an affidavit for a $18 Nestle Quik stuffed bunny. We also have had the experience that grand prizes weren’t delivered for up to 8 months after the drawing date, so don’t give up! Be patient and enter consistently.

The following abbreviations are used in Winning Ways: