Insider tips from successful compers

What does it take to consistently win prizes? To answer this, it helps to learn from those who’ve already been there and filled their trophy cabinets (and living rooms!) with prizes. In this section, we compile insider tips from seasoned UK compers – people who have won everything from cars and luxury holidays to daily household freebies. Their advice, in their own words, reveals key habits and strategies that can make the difference between winning occasionally and winning regularly.

Treat comping like a (fun) job – consistency is key

One common theme among all successful competition entrants is dedication. Winning isn’t pure luck; it’s often a numbers game and a question of persistence. Top compers tend to enter competitions frequently, often daily, to boost their odds. For example, Lyndsey Bruce, a veteran comper with over 40 years’ experience, treats comping almost like a part-time job. “My aim each day is to enter at least 50 competitions,” says Lyndsey​. She typically sets aside around two hours every evening just for entering contests​. That consistency pays off: over the years she’s won incredible prizes including a car, vacations, and even a year’s supply of shoes​.

Lyndsey is not alone. Many winners follow a disciplined routine. Another successful comper, Lola Bellouere-Keay, uses her daily commute to enter about “200 competitions a day” using her phone​. By bookmarking a forum that lists new competitions and using an autofill tool to enter forms quickly, Lola turned idle time into a prize-winning opportunity​. It has proven lucrative – in a single year, she bagged a trip to the BAFTAs, a new smartphone, a coffee machine, a £3,000 cash prize (which she put towards buying a car), and more​. The takeaway: enter competitions regularly and in volume. As comping expert Sammy Fairman explains:

“Understand that it’s a numbers game – the more you enter, the more chance you have of winning.”

Consistency doesn’t mean you have to spend every waking hour comping – but it does mean making it a habit. Whether it’s dedicating an hour each morning or a couple of evenings a week, having a comping routine greatly increases your exposure to winning opportunities. Many seasoned compers treat their hobby like a fun second job: they “clock in” consistently, track their progress, and take it seriously (while still enjoying it, of course). Hard work can pay off in this hobby​. As one comping guide puts it, “if you want to be a consistently successful comper, then you really will need to work hard at it.”​

Entering one or two competitions on a whim is unlikely to yield results, given the odds. But entering dozens or hundreds per week, week after week, significantly improves the likelihood that eventually your name will be drawn as a winner.

Prioritise quality: focus on prizes you actually want

Successful compers often emphasise a perhaps counter-intuitive strategy: don’t enter every competition you see – be selective and focus on prizes you really want. It might sound strange (why not throw your hat in every ring possible?), but experienced entrants find that targeting desirable prizes yields better results and keeps motivation high. For one, you won’t burn out entering contests for things you don’t even care about. And by concentrating your effort, you can put more thought and care into each entry, especially for contests that require a creative answer or slogan.

Multiple experts echo this tip. Cora Harrison, a UK blogger and prize-winner of £20,000+ in prizes, advises new compers:

“There are thousands upon thousands of prizes available to win… while some people choose to enter every competition regardless of the prize, I’d advise you to focus on a couple of items you’d like to win and enter those competitions specifically.”

By spending more time on fewer competitions – the ones that offer something you really covet – you can submit higher-quality entries and increase your chances of winning that prize​. This approach paid off for Cora and many like her.

Similarly, Di Coke – often dubbed the UK’s “competition queen” – admits that after decades of wins she has become “fussy now” and only enters competitions offering prizes she or her family actually want.

Di has won over £300,000 worth of prizes in her comping career​, so she knows a thing or two about long-term success. Her favourite win wasn’t the biggest cash prize, but something personally meaningful: her son getting to be a mascot for Arsenal in an FA Cup final – “something money can’t buy”, as she describes it​. In other words, the value of a prize is subjective – winning something you truly desire is far more rewarding than a random gadget you have no use for. And from a practical standpoint, entering fewer contests (targeted to your wish-list) can outperform scattering entries everywhere. It allows you to focus your energy where it counts and avoid wasting time on low-priority prizes.

This tip is backed up by competition organisers themselves.

“Only enter for prizes you want – entering for stuff that is of no use is a waste of time”

Sammy Fairman, Simply Prizes​

Not only is it a time-waster, but if you win a prize you don’t actually need, that’s a win that could have gone to someone else – and you’ve spent effort that could have been directed at something you’d genuinely enjoy. Many compers eventually learn to skip prizes that won’t benefit them or their family, focusing instead on their “wish list” of dream prizes (a concept Di Coke explicitly recommends in her book, with sections like “Write a Wish List” to guide your efforts​

Actionable insight: Take a moment to jot down the top prizes or types of items you’d love to win – your personal wish list. It might include things like “a family holiday to Spain”, “a new laptop”, “supermarket gift cards”, or “VIP event tickets”. Use this list to guide which competitions you search for and enter. You’ll be more invested in those entries, likely put in better quality (answering any tiebreaker questions more thoughtfully, etc.), and you’ll stay more motivated since each entry is tied to something you actually care about. As a bonus, when those wins come, they’ll genuinely enrich your life (or make someone you love very happy), which is ultimately the point of comping as a hobby.

Be willing to put in effort – fewer entrants means better odds

One of the golden secrets seasoned compers share is that not all competitions are created equal. Some are much easier to win than others, simply because they have fewer entrants. And often, the number of entrants is inversely related to how much effort is required to enter. In plain terms: the harder a competition is to enter (be it a tricky question, a creative task, or a specific purchase requirement), the better your odds if you do choose to enter, because many people won’t bother. Top compers know this and actively seek out these “low competition” contests.

Di Coke sums it up succinctly:

“The easiest ones to win are the hardest to enter.”

If a contest asks entrants to do something like make a video, write a poem, or physically go somewhere to take a photo, most people won’t bother – which means the few who do participate have a much higher chance of winning. Di herself built a comping career capitalizing on this principle. Early on, she entered and won many creative and skill-based competitions – from slogan-writing contests to photo competitions – that scared off less committed entrants. Her haul of unique prizes (guitars signed by rockstars, Michelin-star dining experiences, trips abroad) came from those promotions where a bit of skill or effort was needed​. The pool of competitors was smaller, and her odds were correspondingly higher.

Another serial winner, Lee Gardner, follows the same approach. He deliberately likes competitions that require extra steps, like making a purchase and entering a code, dressing up for a photo, or anything “other people see and can’t be bothered to enter.”​ (theguardian.com). For example, Lee won a helicopter ride and VIP festival tickets by entering a cider brand’s promotion that required buying a promotional pack and submitting a code​. Many consumers might have ignored the contest or thrown away the code, but Lee’s small effort of purchasing and entering the code paid off with a big prize. He’s even won a trip to New York by being persistent with these sorts of comps​. His mantra to skeptics: “People think you never win, but if you don’t enter, you won’t.”– a reminder that taking the initiative is step one to winning.

Even free competitions can have “effort barriers” that deter the masses. Photo contests, creative caption contests, or writing a short story for a prize are examples – they cost only time and creativity, but far fewer folks enter them compared to a simple prize draw that just needs an email address. Compers like Di thrive on these. She frequently enters (and wins) creative competitions, a preference echoed by many in the community​. Creative comps not only allow you to showcase skills or have fun, but they drastically cut down your competition. Jason Dale of Loquax, a long-running competitions portal (a favourite of ours), notes:

“competitions that require a bit of creativity – photo, video or comps that require a bit of thought – are often bypassed in favour of easy prize draws. Compers like Di Coke love creative comps because they have decent prizes and don’t attract that many entries.”​

In short: when effort is required, embrace it – your odds will thank you.

Of course, not every high-effort competition is worth your time (use your judgment and refer to your wish list of prizes you want). But as an insider strategy, it’s wise to allocate some of your comping time to contests that demand more than a click. Your win rate (prizes per number of entries) can be noticeably higher on these. Even smaller creative contests (say, a local cafe asking for a funny caption to win a free meal) can be very winnable and still give you that thrill of victory and a nice prize.

Enter smart: follow the rules and never get disqualified

It sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how many would-be winners sabotage their chances by failing to follow the competition rules or instructions. Top compers are extremely careful about this – it’s a basic skill that sets them apart from casual entrants. Filling in your entry details correctly, adhering to entry limits, and meeting any eligibility criteria are mandatory if you want to actually win. As the Loquax team bluntly states, “the biggest reasons why people don’t win is that they don’t enter the competition correctly!”. This includes things like “entering the wrong details, not following the entry instructions, giving wrong answers, [and] not abiding by the terms and conditions”. Any of these errors can lead to your entry being nullified – you might as well not have entered at all.

Seasoned compers treat the rules like gospel. Always read the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of a competition before you enter, or at least before you start submitting multiple entries or involving others. The T&Cs will tell you crucial information: who is eligible, how many times you can enter (per person, per email, or per household), the deadline, how winners are chosen, etc. Knowing this helps you avoid an accidental rule break that could disqualify you. For instance, if the rule is one entry per household and you enter twice (even from different family members), you could be disqualified entirely​ (moneysavingexpert.com). On the other hand, if the rules allow daily entries or one entry on each platform (one via X, one via email, etc.), you want to take full advantage of that – but you’d only know by reading the rules.

Here are a few concrete “insider” habits to ensure you always stay on the right side of the rules:

• Double-check your entry details: Typos in your email address or phone number can cost you a win. Promoters can’t contact you if you accidentally typed .couk instead of .co.uk in your email, for example. Seasoned compers often save a form profile or use form-filling tools (more on those later) to ensure consistency and avoid mistakes. Loquax mentions they’ve seen winning notification emails bounce back because the entrant entered a wrong email – a heartbreaking simple error​. So always verify your details before hitting submit.
• Follow entry instructions to the letter: If the competition says “comment with an answer to the question” or “tag a friend and share this post”, make sure you do exactly that. Many entrants get excited and skip a step or do it wrong (for example, tagging a friend on Facebook but forgetting to share the post if required). On social media, failing to complete all the steps means your entry won’t count at all​. The same goes for quiz questions – if there’s a question to answer, don’t ignore it or blindly copy an answer without checking it (some comp listing sites share answers, but they’re not always correct​. Do your own research to be sure.
• Respect entry limits: This is a big one. Each comp will have a limit on entries – it could be one per person, one per email, one per day, one per household, etc. Exceeding the limit can void all your entries. As MoneySavingExpert advises, “Always read terms and conditions to check if it’s one per household – rules vary for every competition.”​

If you’re tracking your entries (which you should – see the next point), note these limits. For example, if a prize draw allows one entry per day, a top comper will enter every single day until it closes to maximise their chances (setting a reminder to do so), but not more than once a day to avoid disqualification. If it’s one per person total, they’ll only enter once, but perhaps get another family member to also enter (if the rules say per person and not per household – in that case multiple family members can legitimately enter). On the flip side, if it’s one per household, they won’t try to sneak in entries from multiple people at the same address – that could backfire badly if the promoter checks and voids the lot. The bottom line is, savvy compers never knowingly break a rule; one prize isn’t worth being blacklisted by a promoter or the comping community.

• Keep proof and notes: For more complex competitions (e.g. “collect codes from products” or “enter with a purchase receipt”), keep your proof (receipts, screenshots, etc.) organised. Promoters may ask for verification if you win. Veteran compers often have a folder (digital or physical) for ongoing comps where proof might be needed. It would be awful to win a big prize but then forfeit it because you can’t prove you actually bought the item or you lost the winning code.

One example of the consequences of not following rules is not claiming your prize in time. Some competitions specify that winners must respond within a certain time frame or they’ll pick another winner. It’s part of “following through” on entry instructions: check your email spam folder regularly (more on this in the Organising chapter), and if you get a winning notification, act on it promptly. Loquax’s team lamented how often they’ve had to redraw a prize because a winner never replied to the notification​. Don’t let that be you – if you enter, be prepared to check and respond.

By mastering the art of entering correctly, you may not immediately increase your odds of winning (those are set by the contest format), but you ensure that every chance you earn actually counts. You’d be surprised how many casual entrants knock themselves out of the running through sloppy mistakes; simply avoiding those mistakes puts you in the top tier of well-prepared entrants. It’s like turning up to an exam with your name on the paper when others forgot to even do that – an easy win.

Leverage the community and share with others

Comping may seem like a solitary hobby – just you and your computer or phone, filling in forms – but the truth is there’s a vibrant community of compers in the UK, and being part of it can significantly boost your success (and enjoyment). Seasoned winners often emphasize networking with fellow compers, sharing tips, and even entering contests together.

Online forums (like the MoneySavingExpert Competitions Time board) and Facebook groups are popular gathering spots for compers. These communities generously share competition links, answers, and advice. In fact, on the MSE forum, enthusiastic members post hundreds of new contests they find, even though “they know it diminishes their chances of winning that contest“. Why would they do that? Because the culture of comping is very much about helping each other – in return, others share contests you might have missed, and everyone benefits from a larger pool of opportunities. It’s a pay-it-forward system. One guide describes it as an “army of kindred spirit compers” who collectively find far more competitions than any one person could alone​.

Savvy compers take part in these groups to stay in the loop. They also team up for certain competition types. For instance, many social media giveaways require you to tag a friend in order to enter. Comping friends will agree to tag each other so that both get an entry (and they’ll rotate who tags whom to comply with rules). Sammy Fairman suggests, “Encourage a few comping friends to join you on social media. They will be able to tag you into competitions you haven’t seen.”

This way, you get alerted to new competitions (when a friend tags you) and you have reliable people to tag (without annoying friends who aren’t into comping). It’s a win-win arrangement common in the comping world.

There are also in-person comping clubs around the UK. Yes, real-world meetups! Some groups of compers meet regularly in local areas to trade stories, exchange printed competition entry forms or tokens (more common in the pre-internet days, but some still do), and celebrate wins. As Cora Harrison notes, “Comping doesn’t have to be a lonely hobby. There are a number of comping clubs scattered across the UK and some national events hosted by the community.”

Even if you can’t attend meetups, get active in online forums or Facebook groups. Not only will you pick up leads on niche competitions, but the camaraderie will keep you motivated. Seeing others post their wins can be inspiring (and instructive – you learn what kinds of comps are winnable). Likewise, if you hit a dry spell, the community will remind you that your next win could be just around the corner (because they’ve all been there).

Another benefit of networking is referral competitions. Some contests give bonus entries or rewards if you refer friends. Hardcore compers often refer each other – for example, if a contest gives you an extra entry for each person who enters through your referral link, a group of compers can coordinate so everyone refers a few others in the group, ensuring all get the extra entries without having to spam random acquaintances. This tactic only works if allowed by the rules and done considerately, but it’s an insider trick to squeeze more chances out of referral-based giveaways.

Finally, sharing in the joy (and prizes) with others is simply fulfilling. Lyndsey Bruce, for one, loves that her comping hobby has benefited her friends and family. “The experiences that I win are usually for two people, so my friends have also benefitted from my comping. I love sharing the wins with my friends,” she says​ (thesun.co.uk). Many compers echo this sentiment – they’ll invite a friend along to that concert they won tickets for, or gift a prize they don’t need to someone who does. This generosity not only spreads happiness but also builds goodwill; those friends might tip you off about a contest they heard of, or help you with a competition task (like taking a photo of you for an entry). In short, comping is better together.

If you’re new, consider joining a reputable comping forum or social group. Introduce yourself, get familiar with the posting rules, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The UK comping community is known for being welcoming. Everyone started somewhere, and most are happy to help newcomers learn the ropes. Plus, celebrating each other’s victories – even if you didn’t win that time – creates a positive vibe that keeps the hobby enjoyable for all.

Keep a positive mindset (and don’t get discouraged)

Behind every prize a comper wins, there may have been dozens or even hundreds of losses – competitions entered with no return. What separates the long-term winners from those who give up is mindset. Top compers cultivate patience, optimism, and resilience. They know dry spells are normal and that luck will turn with persistence. Staying positive and motivated is absolutely an “insider secret” to comping success, because a discouraged person will stop entering – and you cannot win a competition you didn’t enter.

“It’s easy to get discouraged in comping when you haven’t won a prize in a while,” acknowledges Cora Harrison, speaking from experience​. Even the best compers have droughts. The key, she says, is to remember that “everyone goes through a dry spell and absolutely any competition win is a great blessing.”

In other words, stay grateful for the wins you do get (big or small) and trust that if you keep entering, eventually something will come through. Cora’s advice: “Keep entering competitions for the prizes you want to win even when you’re feeling discouraged. You’re only going to win a prize if you enter the competition.” It sounds obvious, but it’s a needed reminder – the act of continuing to enter is itself an act of optimism.

Jason from Loquax similarly emphasizes perseverance as “the key to winning.” “You may need to enter a lot of competitions to get lucky, so enter online competitions regularly and keep trying,” he advises​. They mention that some compers log their entries and find they win perhaps 1 prize per 1000 entries (though this can vary)​. Those odds mean you’ll lose far more than you win – but each win, however infrequent, makes it worthwhile. The trick is not to let the losses sap your motivation. Loquax suggests seeking inspiration and encouragement from other compers who are winning – for example, by reading “I won” threads on forums where people share their recent prizes​. Seeing real proof that others are winning daily can reassure you that yes, people do win and your turn can come if you hang in there.

Another tactic is to mix up your comping routine if you feel stale. Loquax notes that sometimes trying a new approach can rekindle your enthusiasm: “Maybe try Twitter or Instagram if you’ve been concentrating on Facebook. Perhaps be adventurous and consider getting creative? Sometimes quality over quantity is better, but other times it might be worth entering a few more comps just to give yourself a boost.”​. In short, if one strategy isn’t yielding results for a while, switch gears and try another (without abandoning comping altogether). The change can be refreshing and you might find success on a different platform or contest type, breaking your losing streak.

Crucially, don’t treat comping as a high-pressure activity or your primary source of income. It should remain fun. Sammy Fairman cautions that comping is a hobby for “extras,” not a replacement for work: “for your everyday comper this is a hobby that allows you to sometimes have things that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford otherwise.” Keeping that perspective helps manage expectations. If you go into every competition thinking “I must win this to pay my bills,” you’re setting yourself up for stress and disappointment (and comping should never be relied on for financial security). Instead, see it as a recreational activity – one that has the exciting potential to surprise you with rewards.

Top compers often have a quiet confidence or what Di Coke calls a belief in luck. One of Di’s comping tips is literally “Believe You’ll Win” – not in a naive way, but as a mindset of optimism. Positive thinking won’t magically rig a raffle in your favor, but it will keep you entering consistently, and that does increase your chances of eventually hitting a win. There’s even a bit of psychology at play: the anticipation of a possible win releases dopamine (the brain’s reward chemical), which can keep you motivated to continue the activity​. In fact, research in behavioral psychology has found that intermittent, unpredictable rewards (like the occasional competition win) can strongly reinforce a behavior​. Compers often describe the hobby as addictive (in a mostly healthy way) because each surprise win – no matter how small – gives a rush of joy that fuels the next round of entries.

That said, maintaining balance is important. If you ever find comping is becoming a source of serious frustration or obsessive behavior, it’s okay to take a break. “Comping shouldn’t be a chore or something stressful. If you feel you need time out then step away from the hobby for a while. There’ll still be plenty of chances to win when you return,” Loquax advises​.

Many successful compers take short breaks to recharge – and often come back luckier (perhaps just coincidence, but it feels like the universe rewarding them for not forcing it). During a break, you might maintain your entries for a few really important comps but release the pressure of the daily grind. Then, when you feel the itch, jump back in refreshed.

In summary, the insiders’ mindset is: stay positive, stay patient, and enjoy the process. Celebrate your own wins (no matter how sparse) and others’ wins too – this keeps the community vibe uplifting. Remember why you started comping: it’s fun, it’s hopeful, and it can put a smile on your face on an otherwise ordinary day. As long as you keep that perspective, you’ll weather the dry spells and be ready to pounce when Lady Luck swings back your way.

By learning from these insider tips – treating comping with dedication, focusing on quality opportunities, embracing effortful contests, rigorously following rules, engaging with the community, and keeping a winning mindset – you’ll be laying the foundation for comping success. In the next chapters, we’ll build on this foundation with detailed strategies: first up, how to find the best competitions (before everyone else does), so you always have exciting contests to enter. Seasoned winners don’t just rely on luck; they know where to look. Let’s explore their techniques for discovering competitions early and often.

Main photo credit: Apple