How to write an award winning entry

In today's competitive business landscape, standing out from the crowd is crucial for businesses of all sizes to gain recognition and build credibility. One effective way to achieve this is by entering industry awards. Winning an award not only celebrates your achievements but also enhances your brand's reputation, raises your profile and attracts new opportunities, as well as boosting the morale of your team. So what are the key factors in writing a successful award entry?

Choose the Right Award

It sounds obvious, but make sure you select the most relevant award for your business. Research and identify awards that align with your industry, company size, and achievements. Consider the award's criteria, judging process, and reputation. Choosing the right award will ensure that your entry has a better chance of resonating with the judges.

Leave yourself enough time

There’s no two ways about it, writing awards takes time - in our experience, at least two days. It’s time to pull together your evidence of success and supporting documentation, as well as time to craft your entry. So don’t leave it to the 11th hour to make a start. Ideally, research the awards you want to enter at the start of the year and diary the date the awards open, the deadline for submission, shortlist date and ceremony, so you can make a timely start.

Understand the Criteria

Thoroughly review and understand the award criteria before you begin writing. Each award has specific guidelines and requirements. Take note of the key evaluation factors and focus on addressing them effectively. By understanding the criteria, you can tailor your entry to highlight your company's unique strengths and accomplishments. In particular, pay close attention to the word count. Many awards upload sites physically stop you overstepping the word count, so be precise about it.

Tell Your Story

Craft a compelling narrative that showcases your company's journey, achievements, and impact. Start with a captivating introduction that grabs the judges' attention. Highlight the challenges you overcame, innovative strategies you implemented, and the results you achieved.

Evidence your success

Judges are looking not just at the narrative, but at the facts and evidence of your delivery. This is the section that can often takes the most time to pull together, so start early. Use concrete data, success stories, and testimonials to support your claims. Showcasing tangible outcomes will strengthen your entry and differentiate it from others.

Highlight Innovation and Creativity

Innovation and creativity play a vital role in successful award entries. Showcase how your team embraced innovation to solve challenges or achieve outstanding results. Highlight unique strategies, out-of-the-box thinking, or cutting-edge technologies you utilised. Clearly articulate how your innovative approaches set you apart from competitors and positively impacted your target audience.

Provide Supporting Documentation

When it comes to shortlisting, judges have a day or two to evaluate awards. They may have hundreds - in fact a recent award we entered on behalf of a client received 700 entries!

Often, rather than the 1,000 word written entry, it’s the supporting evidence that helps you land that killer blow and helps your award stand out. Video is a great way to succinctly showcase your great work, quickly, creatively and effectively. Keep it to 60 seconds or so in length. Or design an engaging PDF that includes relevant supporting evidence, like customer testimonials, case studies, press coverage, or awards and accolades received previously. Concrete evidence validates your entry and enhances your credibility. Ensure that the supporting materials align with the award criteria and add value to your overall submission.

Pay Attention to Writing Style and Presentation

A well-crafted, error-free, and visually appealing entry leaves a positive impression on the judges. Pay attention to your writing style, grammar, and overall presentation. Use clear and concise language to convey your message effectively. Format your entry to make it visually engaging with headings, bullet points, and subheadings. A polished entry demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.

Seek Feedback and Edit

Before submitting your entry, seek feedback from colleagues, peers, or industry experts. Ask for constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. Edit your entry multiple times to ensure it is concise, coherent, and error-free. A fresh set of eyes can provide valuable insights and help you refine your entry to make it even stronger.

Key takeaways

Crafting a winning award entry is a strategic process that requires careful planning, storytelling, and showcasing your unique achievements. By following the tips outlined in this guide, businesses can increase their chances of standing out among competitors and securing industry recognition. Winning an award not only boosts your brand's reputation but also inspires your team and attracts new opportunities for growth. Embrace the power of awards and use them as a catalyst for your marketing success.