Hello there everyone...I'm so happy you're here!

If you are reading this, then you might be having a little trouble sorting through the different ways to enter all of the many blog contests out there.  Because you're reading this on my blog, I'm assuming that you'd really like some clarification with how to enter my contests specifically, though my entries are pretty much like the other blogs' contests you'll run across.

I used to avidly enter sweepstakes contests, until I ran across blog contests.  The odds of winning some fabulous prizes are so much better here, but the rules for entry are very different, since blog contests focus so heavily on social media as ways to enter.

Step 1:  Always follow the MANDATORY ENTRY very carefully and always complete it FIRST!

I'm going to make up a contest here to use as an example, let's say for XYZ Clothing.  In my contests, the mandatory entry always has two parts, such as:

MANDATORY ENTRY!

Please tell me the article of clothing you would choose, if you should win this giveaway.

Also, you MUST be following this blog via Google Friend Connect!

Once you've gone to XYZ Clothing's website and found something you like AND followed my blog via Google Friend Connect, the comment you should leave ON THIS BLOG POST should say something like:

"I really like the purple shirt and I am following you via Google Friend Connect (your google name)"

That's it!  Now, you're officially entered.  You could stop there if you'd like with one entry into the contest, or if you want to earn more entries, just start reading the OPTIONAL ENTRIES section immediately following the MANDATORY ENTRY.

Step 2: Complete the OPTIONAL ENTRIES and remember to always leave your user name and/or posting link, so that I can verify your entry!

I'm going to explain how to get those additional optional entries by showing you exactly how to find those direct links, that in the beginning, are kind of tricky to find.  Here goes:

Optional Entry #1:  Follow XYZ Clothing on Twitter - Please leave a comment such as the following:

"I follow XYZ Clothing on Twitter (@your Twitter username)"

This is the kind of comment you should leave whether you are following me, Toothpaste 2 Go or the sponsor on Twitter.  Simply tell me who you're following on Twitter and leave your username.  Also, remember that for EVERY person or company you follow on Twitter, you receive a separate entry, so PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ONE such as:

"I follow @MommyLTLORiley on Twitter (@your Twitter username)"

"I follow Toothpaste 2 Go on Twitter (@your Twitter username)"

Optional Entry #2:  Become a Facebook Fan or "Like" XYZ Clothing - Please leave a comment such as the following:

"I like XYZ Clothing on Facebook (your Facebook username)"

This is the same kind of comment you should leave by liking either Mommy Living the Life of Riley on Facebook or Toothpaste 2 Go on Facebook.  Just remember to always leave your username, so that I can find you to verify your entry.

"I like Mommy Living the Life of Riley on Facebook (your Facebook username)"

"I like Toothpaste 2 Go on Facebook (your Facebook username)"

Optional Entry #3:  Writing the specified message on the sponsor's Facebook wall and leaving the direct link in your comment.

Okay, this is admittedly one of the harder entries, just because in the beginning, you might not know where to look for the direct link to what you post.  Here's a sample of what I might ask you to post on XYZ Clothing's Facebook Wall:

Write the following on their Facebook wall: I've just entered to win an article of clothing of my choice from XYZ Clothing at Mommy Living the Life of Riley! and you can too! http://www.mommylivingthelifeofriley.com Just click here! (Please leave your direct link to the Facebook comment for this entry)

First, what you have to do is go to XYZ Clothing's Facebook page and cut and paste the message above and leave it on their wall like this:  (I used my own Facebook page for an example, but I'm sure you get the idea!)

Now, once you post the copied message on Facebook, you'll get a screen that looks similar to the one above.  The way you get the direct link for this Facebook post is fairly simple now.  Look at the very bottom and see the words "2 seconds ago"?  This is actually a link to your post.  All you have to do is right-click on the "2 seconds ago" time and click "Copy Link Location".  Then, come back to the giveaway post on my blog and PASTE the link you just copied in the comments section like this:

"http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1170528698&v=wall&story_fbid=127665813935348"

There you have it!  That's all you need to write for this entry!

Optional Entry #4:  Tweet this giveaway by copying and pasting the following:

RT #Win an article of clothing from XYZ Company and @MommyLTLORiley (ARV $40) http://webaddress #contest #giveaway

This works in EXACTLY the same manner as the Facebook entry.  Simply cut and paste the entry message above into your Twitter account and tweet this message out.  As soon as you do, you'll notice a time stamp appear in the bottom left corner of the message you tweeted.  Right-click on this link and click "Copy Link Location".  Then come back to the giveaway post on my blog and PASTE the link you just copied in the comments section like this:

"http://twitter.com/mommyltloriley/status/16988898944"

Optional Entry #5:  MULTIPLE ENTRIES GET MULTIPLE COMMENTS!

I have sections of every blog contest where you can earn more than one entry if you complete them.  These are typically subscribing to my email newsletter, putting my buttons on your blog, etc.  The main thing to remember here is to always leave me a way to validate the entry (which means leave me your username and/or blog web address) and also make sure to claim ALL of the entries you earned, such as the following:

Subscribe to my blog via email.

"I subscribe via email (your email address) - Entry #1"

"I subscribe via email (your email address) - Entry #2"

That's it!  I hope you are now equipped to win some serious prizes from all of the wonderful blog contests out there!  GOOD LUCK and thanks so much for stopping by and entering the contests at Mommy Living the Life of Riley!  Have a wonderful day!