Radios may not be as popular today as they were years ago, but it is undeniable that it is still informative and entertaining. To engage their listeners, many radios run a contest. By calling a radio station, you can be the lucky one and win awesome prizes!
You might have tried several times, but you ended up unlucky. Increase the chances of getting picked and learn how to win a radio call-in contest. Read on and we’ll share some of the best secrets!
Table of Contents
Listen to the Radio
The most obvious tip is to be an avid listener. This way, you can follow the specific rules and regulations of the contest. Limit the radio stations to three. If you listen to more stations, it will be more difficult to keep up with the contests. Make sure that you know the specific caller they are looking for. It can be the tenth, 20th, 25th, or whatever number of the caller.
Follow Their Social Media Pages
Most radio stations have a robust social media presence. From Facebook to Twitter, you can find them on different platforms. By following their pages, you will know the specific requirements of the contest. This will also let you prepare, such as by knowing the exact time when the contest will be held.
Do Not Call Too Early
You might be too excited to join and win the call-in contest that you end up calling too early. If you think that this will increase the odds of winning, you are wrong. It is an exercise in futility. You are only wasting your time. Chances are, your call will be disconnected when you call too early. Worse, it may be difficult to reconnect when the time comes that the contest starts.
Time It Right
Speaking of not calling too early, one of the biggest secrets in order to win a radio call in a contest is the right timing. Take note that the digital broadcast of most stations will have a delay of up to 15 seconds, so it might be too late before your call gets through. Furthermore, the one taking your call will also need to take off the headphones and answer the phone, which might require additional seconds. If you are streaming online, buffering can also delay the broadcast.
Save the Contact Details
One of the best tricks to win radio contests is to be as fast as possible. Time is of the essence, so you should be able to connect quickly but at the right time – not too early or too late. To hasten the process, one thing that can help is to save the radio station’s contact information on your phone. This way, you won’t need to dial it manually when it is time. Set the number to speed dial so that it will be easier to beat other callers.
Look for a Strong Reception
As a part of your preparation when calling radio stations, choose the best spot. You must be in a location with a strong signal, which will increase the possibility of getting connected quickly. It will also improve the quality of the call. Otherwise, if the radio station cannot hear you properly because of a bad signal, they will drop the call and look for another winner. This means that it is a wasted opportunity.
best if you can pull over to a safe spot that is also uncrowded without tall structures that can limit the signal. Meanwhile, if you are indoors, you might want to go outside or to an area of your home that you know
If you are calling from a car, it is has great reception.
Do Not Listen Online
A lot of radios these days have digital broadcasts, which will let you access the station online. While it may seem convenient, it can lower the odds that you will win concert tickets on the radio or any other prize. This is because online radios are prone to buffering, resulting in delays, especially if you have weak internet.
If you have no choice but to listen online, then you should do so from a device with decent speed so that there is no buffer. Also, see to it that you have a good internet connection.
Use Two Phones
This might seem like cheating, but it is another great way to increase the chances of winning. You can call the radio station on both phones. As mentioned earlier, you should save the number on your phone. If it is on speed dial, you can be faster. Start dialing the number on one phone and wait for a few seconds before calling the same number on another phone.
You do not have to buy a new phone just to win a call-in contest. Instead, what you can do is to borrow one from another person in your household. Additionally, you can also ask your friend for help. The two of you calling within a few seconds after each other will increase the probability that you can connect to the line and end up winning.
Aside from using another phone, you might also want to consider using a landline instead. Most of the time, it is faster than a mobile phone. Not to mention, it is also not prone to having poor reception unlike smartphones, which can delay your call.
Pick Your Battles
You cannot just join any call-in contest that you hear of. This will not increase the chances of winning. Instead, you will be wasting your time, especially if the contest is not legit. Pick ones from reputable radio stations. Also, consider the prize and determine how inclined you are to it as you decide on the calls to make.
Know the Rules
It is not enough that your call gets through. There can be some restrictions, which can still invalidate your win even if your call has been picked up. For instance, some prizes have geographical restrictions. Meaning, if you are from a location too far from the station, you might be ineligible for the prize, and hence, your efforts are wasted. Know the fineprints before dialling the numbers.
Be Persistent
Persistence is key to win radio contests busy signal. Many times, you will hear a beep or a busy signal. This should not be a reason to give up. It can be indicative of different things, such as having many people call the line at the same time or that the call is already taken. Hang up and try calling again. If you do not make it that time, do not lose hope. Call again the next day or next week.
Also, check this video made by the Itscarly channel to know how to win a radio call-in contest.
Conclusion
To win a radio contest call in, you should listen attentively, check out the radio station’s social media pages, save the contact information on your speed dial, find an area with a strong signal, and be persistent. You might not win the first time, but this should not discourage you from trying again.
Hi, I am Amaro Frank – the Wind Up Radio’s content editor and writer. Working with Adam is so much fun, as his stories and experiences enrich my knowledge about radio communications and radio accessories. My main tasks in Wind Up Radio are building content and generating great articles on different topics around radio accessories.