And the award goes to….YOU!

Well, it will never-ever be you and your business unless you go ahead and make a big effort to enter or impress someone enough to be nominated. A harsh truth perhaps, but awards and recognition is rarely acquired; it is sought after.
 
It is the same old saying, that ‘effort reaps rewards’ and the same certainly goes for industry awards.
 
The big hindrance to entering industry awards is the effort required to enter. Firstly, the process can be a little over complicated, next, comes the need to create an article to support the stats, which in itself can be a little daunting.  Then there is the requirement to undertake market and customer research and gather quantifiable evidence.  Therefore, it is no wonder the excuses not to enter are never ending.
 
However, there is a great deal of benefit to business in entering and either winning or being shortlisted in an award.  You are securing an accolade next to your business name; this is key to boosting brand awareness, employee morale, sales and many more.
 
Why are awards important?  
Industry awards are a big ‘gold star’ for your business and your team, they also give your stakeholders confidence in your business and brand.
 
They help to:

• Boost sales – the awards help raise awareness of your business and the work you are doing
• Gain a competitive edge on your competitors – that is because your audience sees you as an award-winning business in your industry sector / market space.
• Showcase your expertise – highlight to your industry sector what your business is delivering and promote your successes.
• Enhance customer acquisition, retention and loyalty – the industry accolade shows your customers you are ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest.
• Support tenders and RFIs – an industry award should be front and centre of ‘why should we pick you’ when you submit tenders to potential new customers.
• Increase staff morale - they see the work they have been a part of being recognised and they want to stay aboard the ‘success train’.
• Attract top talent – you are well known in the industry, you are winning awards, you are a business they want to be a member of.  It’s all part of enhancing the ‘employer brand’
• Support strategic positioning – winning industry awards, getting that ‘pat on the back’ helps your brand to stand successfully next to the big players; it helps to build credibility.

 
PR professionals (like us) not only help businesses enter into awards but we are here to help you ‘PR’ the awards like nothing else!  Shout it from the rooftops – as they say!
 
Winning or even being nominated is an indicator of trust – the judges of the awards are independent third parties and their consideration of you as a winner or as a shortlist candidate is like having an independent review of your business.  That third party review creates industry trust in you and your brand.  It positions you as a successful business.  The judges of the awards endorse you and your business, they recognise and acknowledge your project successes, the innovation you put forward, the client case studies and testimonials.
 
It is like a big ‘seal of approval’ for your business, your team and your work. This can help to express quality in your business and brand for potential customers to see, and can form part of the sales pitch.
 
Even if you don’t win, being shortlisted delivers excellent PR. So the hard work doesn’t start and stop with the award entry, it goes on long beyond the win or the shortlist. But it is certainly worth it, as promoting this industry accolade gets your business and brand well deserved press coverage across trade publications and allows you the opportunity to tell your industry all about it on social media platforms.
 
Oh and don’t forget your marketing material, this should feature the award shortlist and win. It’s great to see award logos - whether you are finalists or winners - on company websites, marketing literature and any press releases issued out to media.
 
 
So.. with the season for industry awards now firmly upon us, if you have ever thought about entering but can’t find the time or inclination to make it work then get your act together now – (or take on a communications expert to do all the work) but really, it’s not as hard as you think.
 
If you are looking for a communications business that can help you enter your industry awards and go on to promote successes thorough PR and marketing initiatives; do get in touch with the team at 3-Eight Communications.