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Winning a prize in a competition is something that doesn't happen very often. For many people, it's something that never happens at all. Yet there are other people who seem to have phenomenal success when it comes to contests. Are they just supremely lucky? Or do they have a secret system?

Whether the aim is to win cash, a holiday, or retail products, this article will introduce some of the tips and tricks of the trade that experienced competitors use to ensure a high chance of winning a prize.

First of all, study the odds. This is very important. It is necessary to be able to distinguish between contests of pure chance and contests of skill. Contests where the entrants have to ring a number and leave their name, or answer a ridiculously easy question on the back of an envelope represent a very small chance of success. Of course, as the saying goes, 'you have to be in it to win it', but in these contests, everything is left up to fate. While everyone dreams of winning the big prize, the chances are literally millions to one.

Contests of skill, however, are a different matter altogether. This is where it is possible to greatly increase the chances of winning. Look for contests where answers need to be given in a prescribed number of words (usually 25 or 50). This is where creativity can be used to the entrant's advantage. Next, find out whether prizes will be awarded solely on the creativity of the words, or whether there is scope to do other things.

Those contests awarding prizes based only on the creativity of words represent the middle ground when it comes to enhancing the chances of success. To win a prize in this type of contest requires some careful planning. Write an entry that is as witty and clever as possible. Write a limerick, a verse or a riddle, rather than just a simple sentence. It is important to make every word count and to try and make the entry a bit different to the normal. Use every one of the allowed number of words.

The best type of contest to look for is the type that has no limit to the creativity of the entry. This is where careful planning and presentation can catapult an entry straight into the prizewinning short list. Here's what to do:

1. Find out who is running the contest. Often it will be a number of different companies. Find a logo for each of the sponsors.
2. Obtain pictures that fit in with the prize. For example: if the prize is a tropical island holiday, find (or draw) pictures of the location, or of activities that can be done there. This can be as simple as cutting out the pictures from the competition page itself.
3. Think of an original way to present the entry to make it eye-catching. The aim is to make the judges pick a particular entry out of a pile of thousands. If the entry is going to be on paper:

• Use coloured paper, rather than white.
• Write in colour, or print the entry in colourful font.
• Add pictures as a border.
• Prominently place the sponsors' logos on the page.

Not surprisingly, the best chance of all comes with a lot more effort. Turn the entry into a model, or a mobile, or a comic strip, or a mini-book. For example: the competition asks for 25 words about a phone company. Make the entry in the shape of a phone, with the 25 words placed on the keys. Presenting entries like this will immediately attract attention, therefore increasing the chances of a prize.

4. Don't stop with an eye-catching entry. Make the envelope stand out from the rest too. There are two main ways to do this:
• Use a coloured envelope, or glue pictures all over a plain one and contact it for protection. (Make sure that the address can still be clearly seen!)
• Send the entry by Express Post the day before the contest closes. As well as standing out, the entry will also be closer to the top of the pile. If it is opened early and is impressive, it may become the "entry to beat."

Follow these simple steps and first prize may only be a contest away. Good Luck!

About the Author
Susie Brown is an experienced writer, with internet publishing credits in non-fiction and fiction. She is also published in the educational market, producing both teaching resources and children’s fiction. Susie works as a freelance copyeditor, proofreader and manuscript assessor. Website: www.scribedbysusie.com

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<b>The Business of Prizewinning</b><br> by Susie Brown<br> <br> Winning a prize in a competition is something that doesn't happen very often. For many people, it's something that never happens at all. Yet there are other people who seem to have phenomenal success when it comes to contests. Are they just supremely lucky? Or do they have a secret system?<br> <br> Whether the aim is to win cash, a holiday, or retail products, this article will introduce some of the tips and tricks of the trade that experienced competitors use to ensure a high chance of winning a prize. <br> <br> First of all, study the odds. This is very important. It is necessary to be able to distinguish between contests of pure chance and contests of skill. Contests where the entrants have to ring a number and leave their name, or answer a ridiculously easy question on the back of an envelope represent a very small chance of success. Of course, as the saying goes, 'you have to be in it to win it', but in these contests, everything is left up to fate. While everyone dreams of winning the big prize, the chances are literally millions to one.<br> <br> Contests of skill, however, are a different matter altogether. This is where it is possible to greatly increase the chances of winning. Look for contests where answers need to be given in a prescribed number of words (usually 25 or 50). This is where creativity can be used to the entrant's advantage. Next, find out whether prizes will be awarded solely on the creativity of the words, or whether there is scope to do other things. <br> <br> Those contests awarding prizes based only on the creativity of words represent the middle ground when it comes to enhancing the chances of success. To win a prize in this type of contest requires some careful planning. Write an entry that is as witty and clever as possible. Write a limerick, a verse or a riddle, rather than just a simple sentence. It is important to make every word count and to try and make the entry a bit different to the normal. Use every one of the allowed number of words. <br> <br> The best type of contest to look for is the type that has no limit to the creativity of the entry. This is where careful planning and presentation can catapult an entry straight into the prizewinning short list. Here's what to do:<br> <br> 1. Find out who is running the contest. Often it will be a number of different companies. Find a logo for each of the sponsors.<br> 2. Obtain pictures that fit in with the prize. For example: if the prize is a tropical island holiday, find (or draw) pictures of the location, or of activities that can be done there. This can be as simple as cutting out the pictures from the competition page itself.<br> 3. Think of an original way to present the entry to make it eye-catching. The aim is to make the judges pick a particular entry out of a pile of thousands. If the entry is going to be on paper:<br> <br> • Use coloured paper, rather than white.<br> • Write in colour, or print the entry in colourful font.<br> • Add pictures as a border.<br> • Prominently place the sponsors' logos on the page.<br> <br> Not surprisingly, the best chance of all comes with a lot more effort. Turn the entry into a model, or a mobile, or a comic strip, or a mini-book. For example: the competition asks for 25 words about a phone company. Make the entry in the shape of a phone, with the 25 words placed on the keys. Presenting entries like this will immediately attract attention, therefore increasing the chances of a prize.<br> <br> 4. Don't stop with an eye-catching entry. Make the envelope stand out from the rest too. There are two main ways to do this:<br> • Use a coloured envelope, or glue pictures all over a plain one and contact it for protection. (Make sure that the address can still be clearly seen!)<br> • Send the entry by Express Post the day before the contest closes. As well as standing out, the entry will also be closer to the top of the pile. If it is opened early and is impressive, it may become the "entry to beat."<br> <br> Follow these simple steps and first prize may only be a contest away. Good Luck!<br> <br> <b>About the Author</b><br> Susie Brown is an experienced writer, with internet publishing credits in non-fiction and fiction. She is also published in the educational market, producing both teaching resources and children’s fiction. Susie works as a freelance copyeditor, proofreader and manuscript assessor. Website: <a href="http://www.scribedbysusie.com">www.scribedbysusie.com</a><br><br><font size="1" face="arial">Get <A HREF="http://www.freearticlehq.com/">Free Articles</a> for your web site, newsletter, or ezine at the <A HREF="http://www.freearticlehq.com/">Free Article Headquarters</A></font>.