Business awards are a fantastic way to stand out from the crowd, showcasing your expertise and excellence in your field.
Many businesses hesitate to apply for awards – not because they lack merit, but simply because they don’t know where to start or don’t have the time.
At 8848, we have decades of experience of helping our clients win awards on their biggest stages. Whether you dream of industry, local or national glory, our content team can help you catch the eye of discerning judges.
Here are some top tips to make your submission shine.
Choose the right award
A scattergun approach to award submissions is not the way to fill the trophy cabinet. Instead, carefully research and review the awards that are relevant to your business – and the ones that would add genuine value to your operation.
Review past winners to ensure the award attracts a strong calibre of entrants.
Next, select an appropriate category to enter. Look for areas where you can clearly demonstrate levels of success that exceed the norm. Don’t enter a sustainability award if you have recently started recycling cardboard in the office, for example.
Understand the rules
Read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you qualify for the award, understand word count limits and know the deadlines.
If the shortlisting process includes a visit from judges, ensure you are free on the dates provided.
Read the criteria
Most awards provide judging criteria, so it’s essential to pay close attention to this information. Address each point they’re looking for in a clear and concise manner, ensuring the judges can easily see how your entry meets the requirements.
Be unique
To win an award, you need to demonstrate how your business is doing things differently to the also-rans. Keeping the criteria in mind, identify one or two key areas where your business truly excels, and clearly articulate that uniqueness to the judges in straightforward, jargon-free language.
What makes your business special? How is it breaking the mould and pushing the boundaries?
Evidence
Judges love quantified results and need to see proof of your claims. This means facts and figures, statistics and data, outcomes and end results.
If you claim your business has experienced significant growth over the past 12 months, be sure to support this with turnover figures and details on staff expansion.
Likewise, if you suggest employees love working for your company, results of engagement surveys and polls should be included for credibility.
Powerful case studies
Case studies and testimonials are a great way to catch the judges’ attention. Do you have an example of how you helped another business grow? Can you prove your products are being used in amazing ways? Do you have a longstanding customer who would happily sing your praises and share their experience with your services?
Supporting documentation
Don’t miss an opportunity to submit supporting documentation – but keep it relevant. High-quality photography can be a fantastic way to grab the judges’ gaze.
What next?
If you’re ready to start writing your award entry, the very best of luck.
If you’re still not sure where to start, we can help. At 8848 in the last couple of years alone we’ve guided clients to success in the Builders Merchant Awards, the Express & Star Business Awards, FE Week/AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards, LDC’s Top 50 Most Ambitious UK Business Leaders and the Stoke-on-Trent Business Awards.
Our experienced award writers will meet with you to get all the required information before penning an entry that will make your business sparkle.
Now, where’s that tuxedo?
