Taxes
How to Spot a Sweepstakes Scam
A sweepstakes scam, or poorly run promotion, gives legitimate sweepstakes agencies and promotional marketing companies a bad name. Know what to look for to spot a sweepstakes scam, or a company that runs them. Here is a list of things to look for in a sweepstakes, or game of chance, that you should avoid, or at least be cautious of: 1. Super low odds: Any sweepstakes where there will be millions of entries but only one winner may be a waste of your time. Think of the lottery – many will play and one will win – but if the … Continue reading
Why An Affidavit is Required to Claim a Prize
Rosemary Stein, a Vice President here at Marden-Kane, explains why an affidavit is necessary in a sweepstakes. An affidavit is a legal statement made in writing. Sweepstakes sponsors use this document to determine your eligibility to win a prize. The winner signing the affidavit declares the facts stated in the affidavit to be true, and confirms this under oath. The affidavit will ask you to confirm that: 1) the information you submitted in entering the promotion is correct; 2) you complied with all the rules and regulations of the promotion; 3) you perpetrated no fraud or deception in entering … Continue reading
And the winner is…
As I move on to my 4th alternate for a Grand Prize I wonder why someone enters a sweepstakes if they don’t want to win? You want to believe that people take the time to enter sweepstakes because they want to win the Grand Prize (and learn more about your product). Then why is it so hard to get someone to accept a prize? Do they question the legitimacy of the promotion? Are they concerned about sharing PI (personal information)? Are they concerned about paying the taxes? Then why enter? I can’t tell you why entrants do what they do … Continue reading
Better thinking beats bigger spending
It’s Q1 2009; budgets are freshly minted and everyone is off happily executing strategic plans created six months ago. Not likely. The current consumer malaise is spawning breakthrough approaches. They DON’T need to cost more, just work harder. Great evidence is Intuit Turbo Tax and their use of Twitter, MySpace and Facebook as platforms to run a trivia contest; www.superstatuscontest.com. It’s a brilliant way to get the DIY tax prep crowd to talk up the simplicity of Turbo Tax. Creating questions that directly reinforce the product benefit and posting answers in their status updates adds an element of authenticity. Best … Continue reading
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