Dormant Seeding can be pretty effective.  It is especially nice because there isn't much work involved working the seed into the soil.  Simply make sure that any lawn debris like dead matted grass is raked up and throw the seed down.  The freeze and thaws of the winter months will help soften the top layer of soil allowing the seed to make good soil contact.  The new seed will lay dormant until it is ready to germinate in the spring.