Methods of Entry:Promotion Entry Management
How users enter your promotion is directly linked to your marketing goals. We can support every online or offline method of engaging consumers you need.
- Align your entry method with your goals
- Manage all entries in one centralized platform.
Whether RTM collects all entries directly or receives them via API, batched export, or direct marketing stack integration, we help administer the entire lifecycle of your promotion from launch through winner selection and prize fulfillment.
Talk to our Solutions Team →What Is a Method of Entry in a Sweepstakes, Contest, or Instant Win Game?
A method of entry is the channel or mechanic a participant uses to enter a sweepstakes, contest, or instant-win promotion. Examples include an online form on a microsite, a scanned receipt or on-pack code, an API-connected owned channel, a social post, or a mailed-in entry. As a consideration, multiple entry methods within a single promotion can boost participation by increasing the number of channels that consumers have to enter.
Full-Service Entry Management, Any Combination of Channels
Whether it's a digital or offline promotion, our solution supports any combination of entries.
As a full-service partner for digital promotions, RTM can manage and support the entire consumer experience across entry methods for your promotion.
Full-stack development and technology solutions
- Microsite build or API endpoint configuration for entry capture
- Alternate means of entry (AMOE) management
- Backend database infrastructure for entry validation
- Support and monitoring by our industry leading fraud mitigation engine
- Live and daily reporting
Entry administration and winner selection only
- Batched entry export from online/offline sources
- Webstore and eCommerce integrations
- Alternate means of entry (AMOE) management
With over 30+ years of experience supporting digital promotions, our team is here to be a partner to your team and drive success across digital promotions. RTM provides support for as much administration and management as needed.
Partner With a Team Dedicated to Your Success →What Methods of Entry Does RTM Support?
RTM administers digital promotions across every major entry channel. Launch with a single method of entry or multiple combined into a multi-channel promotion. Compare common methods of entry channels below.
| Method | How participants enter | Purchase to enter? | Primary data captured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsite / registration siteLearn more → | Register and enter on a branded landing page | Optional | Name, email, opt-ins, custom fields |
| Receipt validation & on-pack codesLearn more → | Upload a receipt or enter a code from packaging | Yes: a free entry option is required | Purchase data, product/SKU, retailer |
| In-App promotions & API supportLearn more → | Enter by completing in-app or in-platform actions that reward entries or game plays | Dependent on if purchase is required to enter | Dependent on data captured and passed to RTM via API |
| Online eCommerce sites and webstores | Sales within your existing ecommerce sites count as entries into the sweepstakes | Yes: a free entry option is required | Shopper information and purchase data |
| Social media & hashtagsLearn more → | Post, comment, or share with a branded hashtag; entries pulled automatically via API | No | Social handle, UGC, engagement |
| In-person | Consumers enter on-premise at events or activations through paper entries or web-forms | Dependent on if purchase is required to enter | Varies based on data collected at point of entry. Name and email recommended as minimum |
| In-store | Engage shoppers in-store with physical game pieces or sweepstakes entries awarded at check-out | Dependent on if purchase is required to enter | Varies based on data collected at point of entry. Name and email recommended as minimum |
| Survey sweepstakes | Drive survey participation by offerings sweepstakes entries for completing | No | Varies based on data collected via survey questions |
| SMS/Text-to-enter | Users enter by texting an SMS short code to either receive a link to register or provide information in flow | Yes: SMS is considered a paid entry method | Varies based SMS entry flow |
| Mail-in (AMOE)Learn more → | Mail a handwritten entry — the free, no-purchase option | No | Name, mailing address |
What Is an Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE)?
An alternate method of entry (AMOE) is a free, no-purchase way to enter a promotion that would otherwise require a purchase.
U.S. law requires sweepstakes to offer a free entry method. Without one, a promotion that requires a purchase may be classified as an illegal lottery. The most common application of AMOE is a mail-in entry, though online free entries are also used. To maintain compliance, both paid and free options must give every participant an equal chance to enter and win.
When a promotion requires an AMOE, RTM includes a compliant free entry path and makes sure your team understands how it works. It's a standard part of how we administer purchase-driven promotions like receipt and on-pack codes.
Learn About Our Legal & Compliance Services →Frequently Asked Questions
Participants can enter through any channel a brand chooses to offer: an online form on a microsite, a scanned receipt or on-pack code, an API-connected owned channel, a social post or hashtag, or a mailed-in entry. Most promotions combine several methods so people can enter the way that's easiest for them.
Short answer: there isn't always a difference: 'giveaway' is commonly used to describe digital promotions. Typically they are short-term, prize-driven campaigns built to spark quick engagement. Most often, giveaways refer to games of chance, particularly sweepstakes, where winners are selected at random from all eligible entries.
In the U.S., a sweepstakes must offer a free, no-purchase way to enter. Without one, it falls into the category of an illegal lottery. That free option is called an alternate method of entry (AMOE). RTM includes AMOE entry methods in every purchase-driven promotion.
An AMOE is a free way to enter a promotion that would otherwise require a purchase. The classic AMOE is a mail-in entry, but online free entries are also widely used. The free path must give participants an equal chance to win.
Yes! Purchase-driven mechanics like receipt validation and on-pack codes are effective at driving sales, as long as they are paired with a compliant AMOE so participants have a free way to enter.
Yes. Multi-channel promotions are common and often perform better than single-entry channels by increasing options for participation. RTM's platform supports any combination of entry methods in a single promotion, with all entries managed in one place.
Yes. RTM administers offline, in-store, event, and mail-in entries alongside digital channels, so a single promotion can span both.
Every RTM-hosted entry experience is protected by our fraud-mitigation engine, with bot and abuse detection, live risk intervention, and low-friction behavior-based protections. RTM's priority is delivering a fair and secure user experience, keeping entry counts clean and winners legitimate.
