Some tips from Recenseo marketer and Chair of Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry Louise Hopkins.
We had an excellent awards launch event earlier this month and we’ve had some great feedback. Us judges are expecting some challenging submissions…!
If you’re still unsure about entering, here are some things to consider:
It’s about You & your Business
Entering awards:
Makes staff feel wanted & worthwhile
Makes staff feel proud of what they do and who they work for
Gives you something to strive for
Gives you a chance to question your own performance
Gives you a chance to benchmark your business
It’s about Your Profile
Entering awards puts you on peoples’ radar
they hear about you
they will look out for you in future
If you’re in the process of getting some business, getting an award will swing it
Awards highlight your performance in the eyes of the local press/ industry/ sector
It’s about Your Clients
Entering awards:
Makes your clients feel good about choosing to work with you
Encourages & reminds clients to refer business to you
So, if we’ve got your attention, and you can see the value of entering the awards, here’s how to enter as a serious contender:
Focus
Select a couple of categories in which you know you perform well. You can enter two this year, but you’re unlikely to win both, so make sure you pick your strongest.
Tailor
Tailor your submission to the category you’re entering. Don’t send a vague submission with no relevance. Think about how you apply for a job you really want; it’s the same approach – it’s about persuasion.
Substantiate
Substantiate your claims. It must be clear why you’re entering and that you believe you have a chance to win – make it easy for the judges to select you. Everyone has a good idea; everyone has testimonials. What makes you particularly good?
Criteria
Make sure you genuinely match up to the criteria and show how. If no criteria have been set, create your own. Really think about what you do well as a business and that you have evidence to back up.
Don’t refer
Don’t refer judges to other resources such as websites or videos; if you want them to look at something, provide the content in the submission pack – again, make it easy for them; they’re ploughing through dozens of submissions!
Don’t assume – Amazingly some big names make huge assumptions about their reputation and don’t take awards submissions seriously. Don’t assume you’re the best out there; it’s arrogant and naïve – you don’t know who you’re up against!
Don’t give up – If you don’t get through this time, ask for feedback from the judges. It is often not offered, but provided if requested. Make the most of that, get your feedback and try again next time.
How to fail spectacularly!
1.Don’t take them seriously
2.Don’t read up on them
3.Enter all the categories you think you qualify for
4.Send in one submission for all the categories
5.Give a vague story about your business
6.Provide no substance or evidence about your claims
7.Rely on customers to ‘vote’ for you or nominate you
8.Don’t bother calling back when the awards organisers offer you the chance to puff out your submission
9.Don’t consider who you’re up against
10.Assume that just because someone else has entered you; you’ll win!
… Oh yes, I’m serious! So many submissions don’t even get discussed by the judges; often for the same reasons, which is so disappointing. Even well established companies can let themselves and their staff down by not giving awards enough of their time. If you don’t have time to take the submission seriously, don’t enter the awards.
There are always businesses which are undoubtedly good at what they do, but it might just not be the right time for them to win. They may be too early on in their journey or they simply may have been up against a stronger candidate. Either way, it’s easy to identify those worth ‘keeping an eye on’ over the next year and if they enter again next year, with the right evidence, they’ll win.
Good luck!
Louise Hopkins, Director Recenseo and Chair of Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry – one of the judges!
The post Why and How to enter the Awards appeared first on JP South Events.