Business Awards Success – A 12-Step Strategy

Achieving business awards success isn’t about luck or scratching to put together a last-minute submission. Award-winning businesses approach awards with a well-thought-out strategy, aligning the process with their broader business goals. By following a proven framework, you can increase your chances of winning and maximise the value of the recognition. Here’s a 12-step strategy to guide your path to business awards success.

1. Confirm that Business Awards Fit Into Your Marketing Strategy

Before jumping into an application, ask yourself if entering a business awards program aligns with your business objectives. Awards aren’t the right fit for every company. A misaligned approach can waste valuable time and resources.

Consider entering awards if you aim to:

• Build credibility and trust for your brand

• Attract top talent

• Stand out from competitors

For example, businesses launching new products, targeting new markets, or overcoming challenges can benefit significantly from the third-party validation awards provide.Evaluate your readiness honestly. Do you have compelling success stories and measurable outcomes? Have you experienced recent growth in revenue, service offering or the size of your team? Is your team prepared to invest 20+ hours per submission? If not, it might be better to wait until you’re in a stronger position to compete.

Finally, calculate the return on investment (ROI). Winning awards can lead to increased customer trust, higher sales, and PR value far exceeding the investment in the application. If these align with your growth strategy, awards deserve serious consideration.

2. Research Awards that Align with Your Business

Random submissions rarely succeed. Strategic research ensures you target the right opportunities. Here’s how:

• Look at local business awards that span a variety of industries. They provide valuable local recognition and media opportunities.
• Explore industry-specific awards through trade associations, professional groups, and sector publications. These carry high credibility.
• Analyse competitors. Identify the awards that successful peers frequently win to uncover programs valued in your industry.

Pay attention to geographic relevance—local, regional, national, or international. Many companies start with local awards and use their wins as stepping stones to larger, more prestigious programs.

Create a spreadsheet to track deadlines, judging criteria, entry fees, and past winner profiles. Being organised saves time and ensures no key opportunities are missed.

3. Focus on One or Two Awards

Instead of spreading yourself thin with multiple applications, the best opportunities for business awards success are found when you zero in on one or two awards that align with your goals. Prioritise programs that match your business strategy. For instance:

• If recruitment is a priority, target awards recognised by potential employees.

• If market positioning matters, go for customer-facing recognition programs.

Evaluate the competitive landscape for each award. Study past winners to understand the standards judges expect and look for ways to differentiate. Some awards value innovation, while others prioritise growth or operational excellence.

4. Choose the Most Relevant Category for Your Business

Selecting the right category is key to improving your chances. Here’s what to consider:

• Study past winners – Observe the competitive level within each category.

• Play to your strengths –If innovation is your forte, choose an innovation category over a general one.

• Leverage size divisions – Many programs have categories for small, medium, and large businesses, ensuring you compete on a level playing field.

If you’re unsure, aim for slightly less competitive categories where your narrative aligns strongly with the judging criteria.

5. Create a Working Document

A working document is essential to stay organised and efficient. Here are the steps:

• Create a Word doc or Google doc
• Download the application form and judging criteria early.
• Group similar questions to avoid redundant efforts when drafting answers.
• Highlight word or character limits for each section.

Next, prepare a checklist of supporting evidence like metrics, testimonials, and case studies. This prevents last-minute rushes that can compromise quality.

Version control is critical if multiple team members are involved. Establish clear collaboration processes to avoid duplication or errors.

6. Brainstorm With Your Team

Collaborative brainstorming often produces richer, more authentic content. Here’s how to approach it:

• Invite team members from diverse backgrounds such as operations, sales, and marketing.

• Host targeted sessions for specific sections of the application.

• Gather specific metrics, dates, and examples during discussions while the details are fresh.

This process will help you create compelling stories that highlight challenges, innovative solutions, and impactful results.

7. Draft Your Submission

Turn your brainstorming insights into clear, impactful narratives. Use storytelling techniques to structure your submission:

• Start with the challenge – Outline the problem you addressed.

• Highlight your solution – Describe what you did differently.

• Show the results – Provide measurable outcomes backed by evidence.

Remember to address each judging criterion directly. Use precise, quantifiable data wherever possible, and keep your responses concise—word limits matter! Strike a balance between professionalism and personality to leave a memorable impression.

 8. Proofread, Edit and Polish

Presentation matters. A polished application reflects a serious contender. Follow these steps:

• Verify claims with original sources. Accuracy boosts credibility.

• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.

• Seek fresh eyes—ask someone unfamiliar with your business to review the clarity of your submission.

Lastly, confirm that all technical requirements (e.g., file formats and uploads) comply with the award guidelines. Don’t risk disqualification due to a simple oversight.

9. Submit Early

Avoid last-minute stress by submitting well before the deadline. Portals often experience high traffic closer to the closing date, increasing the risk of technical issues.

Double-check that your submission meets all requirements, including file formats and naming conventions. After uploading, confirm that the submission was successful.

Keep backups of all documents in case any issues arise.

10. Purchase Tickets to the Presentation Event

Awards ceremonies are about more than winning—they’re a hub for networking with industry leaders and peers. Research key attendees beforehand and prepare to make valuable connections.

Plan your travel and attire in advance, following any dress codes. Approach the event confidently with business cards or marketing materials so you’re ready to seize opportunities.

11. Collect Your Trophy

Winning can provide a huge boost for your team and company visibility. Prepare a brief, heartfelt acceptance speech that acknowledges your team’s contributions.

Take advantage of photo and video opportunities at the event. Share these on your website, social media, and internal communications to amplify the recognition.

Finally, engage with the media present to increase the reach of your award story.

12. Leverage Your Business Awards Success

The work doesn’t end with the award night. Use the recognition as a marketing and business development tool:

• Share press releases with industry publications to amplify your win.

• Update your website, social profiles, and marketing materials to showcase the award.

• Use the achievement as a recruitment tool and a conversation starter with clients.

The Next Steps …

Award success also opens doors to speaking opportunities at conferences and events. Plan your future awards strategy by building on the momentum of your win.

 Winning business awards requires planning, effort, and strategy. By following these 12 steps, you can transform awards from a hopeful aspiration into a predictable and valuable outcome. Start today and get the recognition your business deserves!

If winning a business award is your goal, the key lies in crafting an exceptional submission—and that’s where we excel. With an impressive 95.75% success rate of helping our clients become finalists or winners, we take pride in showcasing their achievements and supporting their success in both awards and business.

If you’re thinking about entering a business awards program, now is the perfect time to start planning. We offer a curated list of awards programs to choose from—simply visit our Contact Page to request the list. Be sure to book early to give your submission the best possible chance of success!

For those who prefer a DIY approach or are working within a tighter budget, we’ve got you covered. Our AWARDS READY WORKBOOK + BONUSES is your ultimate guide to creating standout award submissions. This 40-page fillable PDF walks you through the entire process, complete with checklists to keep you on track, insider tips from award judges, and three examples of winning entries. Take the first step toward becoming a recognized leader—discover this comprehensive, value-packed workbook today!

 

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