Free Prize Draws

If you’ve been comping for any length of time, you’ll know that some competitions have thousands—if not tens of thousands—of entries. Think about the ones run by major brands with huge followings, where the prizes are flashy, the rules are simple, and every man and his dog is having a go. Winning those? Well, let’s just say you’d have better odds of stepping on a single piece of LEGO in a completely empty room. It could happen, but don’t bet your house on it.

But then, there’s the other side of comping—the small-entry competitions. The ones that fly under the radar, where the competition isn’t fierce, and your chances of winning are significantly higher. These little gems? They’re where smart compers thrive.

What are small-entry competitions?

Small-entry competitions are those that, for one reason or another, don’t attract a massive number of entrants. They can be run by smaller brands, niche websites, local businesses, or even competition sites that haven’t yet hit the mainstream. Unlike the big-name giveaways that get flooded with thousands of hopefuls, these competitions often only see a few hundred—or even just a handful—of entries.

So, what makes them such a goldmine for compers like us?

The magic of better odds

Let’s do a quick bit of maths (don’t worry, I promise it won’t be painful). Imagine entering a competition with 10,000 other people. Your chances of winning? A pretty dismal 0.01%. Now, enter a competition with only 200 entrants. Suddenly, your odds shoot up to 0.5%. Still not guaranteed, but far better than those big, headline-grabbing draws.

And sometimes, competitions get even fewer entries than that. I’ve come across some where the entry count is in the double digits! These are the true hidden gems—competitions where you’re not just hoping for luck, but actually giving yourself a real shot at winning.

I won a McDonalds Retweet comp with 500 entries – but I would actually consider this to be low-entry, because there were fifty prizes of a £10 iTunes voucher, so a 1-in-10 chance of a win. 

— Super Lucky Di Coke

Where do you find these competitions?

Now, I know what you’re thinking—This all sounds brilliant, but where do I actually find these small-entry competitions? The truth is, they don’t always pop up in your usual comping haunts. You have to dig a little deeper, but trust me, it’s worth it.

Here are a few of the best places to look:

1. Lesser-known competition sites – Everyone flocks to the big competition directories, but some smaller sites run their own draws that get way less attention.
2. Local businesses and shops – Small independent businesses often run competitions with far fewer entries than major brands.
3. Brand new websites – Sites that are still growing their audience sometimes use competitions as a way to drum up interest, and they don’t always get the numbers they expect.
4. Social media giveaways with effort-based entries – Competitions that require more than just a quick ‘like and share’ tend to filter out a huge chunk of casual entrants, leaving the door open for more dedicated compers.
5. Niche forums and groups – If a competition is only advertised in a specific niche community, the entries stay low, and the odds stay in your favour.

Why aren’t more people entering these?

This is the big question, isn’t it? If small-entry competitions give you a better shot at winning, why aren’t more people jumping on them? Well, there are a few reasons:

1. Lack of awareness – Many people simply don’t know these competitions exist. They’re busy entering the massive prize draws plastered across social media and never think to dig a little deeper.
2. More effort required – Some of these competitions involve extra steps, like filling out a form, writing a short response, or completing a survey. This small barrier is enough to put off a lot of casual entrants.
3. Smaller prizes – Let’s be honest—people love a huge, flashy prize. A trip to the Maldives is always going to attract more attention than a £50 voucher for a boutique store, even though the odds of winning the latter are infinitely better.
4. People assume they’re not worth it – Some compers think, If it’s not a big-name brand, is it even worth my time? The answer? Absolutely! A win is a win, and they all add up.

The hidden power of ‘comping consistency’

One of the most important things about small-entry competitions is that they reward consistency. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning. It’s simple maths. When you start focusing on competitions with only a few hundred (or even just a few dozen) entries, suddenly you’re stacking the odds in your favour.

This is why seasoned compers swear by the little wins. Sure, the occasional massive prize is thrilling, but stacking up multiple smaller wins keeps the momentum going and keeps the hobby fun. Plus, those small wins can often lead to bigger ones. Think about it—if you win a smaller brand’s competition, they might invite you to future, even better giveaways with limited entry.

Real-life examples of small-entry wins

Still not convinced? Let me share a couple of real-life wins that came from competitions hardly anyone entered:

• A niche beauty brand ran a giveaway for a skincare set worth £100. Only 35 people entered. A guaranteed win? No. But a huge chance compared to mainstream giveaways! I found this one on Prize-Draw.com.
• A local independent bookshop ran a draw for a signed collector’s edition book. Only 27 entries. Someone walked away with a prize they could have easily missed.
• A specialist LEGO reseller offered a rare minifigure as a prize. Fewer than 50 entries—and a top-tier collector’s item up for grabs!

These are the kind of competitions that slip through the cracks. They don’t make the headlines, but they’re a goldmine for those of us paying attention.

Final thoughts: should you shift your comping strategy?

I’m not saying you should stop entering big competitions—after all, winning a holiday or a brand-new car is the dream! But if you’re serious about increasing your chances of winning, you absolutely need to start hunting for these small-entry competitions. The effort is minimal, the odds are massively in your favour, and the prizes are often just as exciting as the big-ticket ones.

So, next time you’re scrolling through comping sites or social media, don’t just go for the obvious. Dig a little deeper, find the competitions that haven’t hit the mainstream, and give yourself the best shot at winning. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself when that surprise prize lands on your doorstep!