25
Words Max
Every word counts
90%
Skip These
Less competition
Skill
Beats Luck
Your advantage
Humour
Wins Prizes
Make them smile
Why WOL Competitions Are Your Secret Weapon
Most people are lazy. They want to click a button and win. As soon as a competition asks for "25 words or less," 90% of people scroll past. This is incredible news for you - fewer entries means much higher odds of winning.
The WOL Advantage
Fewer Competitors
Most people won't bother writing an answer
Skill Based
Your creativity gives you an edge
Reusable Skills
Get better with every entry
The Winning Formula
Judges read thousands of boring entries. They are looking for something that makes them smile, laugh, or feel impressed. Here are the four pillars of a winning WOL entry:
1. Answer the Question
This sounds obvious, but many people ignore the prompt entirely. If they ask "Why do you love our product?", tell them specifically why - not just "I want to win."
Bad: "I really want to win this prize because it would be amazing."
Good: "Your coffee keeps me human before 9am - without it, I would be a zombie in meetings!"
2. Use Humour or Rhyme
Judges are human. After reading hundreds of dull entries, something that makes them laugh or smile sticks in their memory.
Tip: A clever rhyme is memorable. "My oven's seen better days, it's time for an upgrade. A Fisher & Paykel would make cooking less of a crusade!"
3. Mention the Brand
Remember: the judge works for the brand. They love hearing their company name used positively. Work it naturally into your answer.
Example: "Whittaker's chocolate is my guilty pleasure - one square leads to the whole block disappearing mysteriously!"
4. Count Your Words
26 words = instant disqualification. No exceptions. Always count before submitting.
Safe zone: Aim for 20-24 words. This gives you room for error and shows you can follow rules precisely.
How to Cut Words Like a Pro
Struggling to get under 25 words? Here are the tricks professional compers use to trim the fat without losing impact:
Words You Can Almost Always Delete
that
"The prize that I want" becomes "The prize I want"
very
"Very excited" becomes "thrilled" or "ecstatic"
really
"I really love" becomes "I love" or "I adore"
just
"I just want" becomes "I want" or "I need"
the
Often removable: "Win the holiday" becomes "Win a holiday"
I would
"I would love to" becomes "I'd love to" (1 word saved)
Use Contractions
BEFORE (3 words):
"I would love"
AFTER (2 words):
"I'd love"
BEFORE (3 words):
"It is amazing"
AFTER (2 words):
"It's amazing"
Real Example Entries
Let's look at some example prompts and winning-style entries:
PROMPT: "Tell us why you deserve a holiday in 25 words or less"
WEAK ENTRY (16 words)
"I really want to go on a holiday because I have been working very hard this year."
Problem: Generic, no personality, wastes words on "really" and "very"
STRONG ENTRY (22 words)
"My passport is gathering dust, my tan has faded to 'office pale', and my out-of-office reply is desperate for a workout!"
Why it works: Humour, vivid imagery, answers the prompt
PROMPT: "Why do you love [Brand] coffee?"
WEAK ENTRY (12 words)
"I love your coffee because it tastes really good and wakes me up."
Problem: Boring, doesn't mention brand name, no creativity
STRONG ENTRY (19 words)
"[Brand] transforms me from morning monster to functioning human - my colleagues and family thank you for the daily miracle!"
Why it works: Uses brand name, humour, relatable, emotional
PROMPT: "What would you do with a new kitchen appliance?"
WEAK ENTRY (14 words)
"I would use it to cook nice meals for my family every night."
Problem: Generic, forgettable, no personality
STRONG ENTRY (24 words - Rhyme!)
"My kitchen's seen better days, my oven's on the blink. A shiny new [Brand] would stop my dinner dreams from going down the sink!"
Why it works: Rhymes, mentions brand, humour, memorable
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Starting with "I would like to win..."
Everyone wants to win. This wastes 5 precious words saying nothing unique. Jump straight into your creative answer.
Ignoring the Prompt
If they ask about their product, talk about their product - not how much you want the prize or how it would change your life.
Sob Stories
Unless specifically asked, avoid "I deserve this because my life is hard." Judges want creativity, not guilt trips. Save emotional appeals for charity competitions.
Spelling Mistakes
Proofread every entry. Spelling errors signal carelessness and can disqualify you immediately. Read it aloud before submitting.
Your WOL Entry Checklist
Does it answer the specific question?
Is the brand name included naturally?
Would it make the judge smile?
Is it under 25 words? (Double check!)
Have you removed filler words?
Is spelling and grammar correct?
Does it sound different from everyone else?
Would you remember this entry tomorrow?
Ready to Put Your Skills to the Test?
Browse our listings for competitions requiring creative entries. With your new WOL skills, you have a serious advantage over the competition!