From Local Business Awards to National industry recognition, professional awards can be game-changers for your business. Quite apart from being shiny additions to the reception area of your office, they're also powerful tools that can elevate your brand, bring in more customers, attract top talent, and open doors to new opportunities. But crafting a submission that stands out can be challenging, especially if you aren't a writer. Let's dive into the top tips for writing award-winning entries that captivate judges and showcase your organisation's brilliance.
The first thing I will counsel is that if writing is not your thing, don't attempt it! Get a professional in who can collate all the stats and present a submission that reflects your brand and tone of voice. If you have a good writer on board and an equally organised internal stakeholder (to chase approvals and missing numbers), then there's nothing stopping you from creating award submission magic. The Art of Data Presentation Your achievements are impressive, but numbers alone won't win hearts. You will need to create a compelling narrative around your data. Don't just state revenue increased by 30% – paint a picture of the impact. How many jobs did it create? What innovations did it spark? How did you do it? Showcase your talent for revenue growth and transform cold statistics into warm, relatable stories that resonate with the judges. Meeting and Beating the Award Criteria Think of selection criteria as your roadmap. Each section presents you with an opportunity to shine. However, don't just tick boxes. Use the opportunity to demonstrate that your approach was innovative, how it met and exceeded industry best practices, or pushed boundaries. Remember, it's not just about meeting criteria – it's about exceeding expectations. Showcasing Impact: Beyond the Bottom Line While financial success is crucial, judges are increasingly looking for entries demonstrating a broader impact – That might be ESG figures- the disclosure of environmental, social and corporate governance data. Or it might include employment stats, being an employer of choice and inclusivity data. Perhaps you've launched an industry-first sustainable practice or implemented a groundbreaking employee wellness program. These are the stories that elevate a good entry to a killer submission. Sometimes Less is More One of the most common mistakes is trying to cram everything in. I have worked on submissions where the client initially wanted a submission that read like a company manifesto - it was comprehensive but without punch. The secret? Be ruthlessly selective on what makes the cut. Choose your strongest points and articulate them clearly. The Power of a Streamlined Process Here's a little-known secret: the quality of your submission often reflects the quality of your internal process. Establish a streamlined approval process to avoid the common pitfall of "too many cooks in the kitchen". While it's tempting to incorporate everyone's input, this often leads to bloated word counts and inconsistent styles. Trust your writing team to craft a cohesive narrative. I like to ensure I have a single point of contact internally, and that person is responsible for the approval process. That way, they can choose whose edits to incorporate according to their internal hierarchy, and I can focus on ensuring a consistent tone of voice when I insert the feedback into the copy. When it comes to final edits, where I am near the final word count, I like to remind clients that if they plan to add something new, they must nominate something of equal length for deletion. It tends to keep everyone on track. Be sure to proofread your submission, especially after multiple comments from stakeholders. Delete duplication, and if you don't have an editor handy, use software to help identify any errors. I am a professional writer and still use Grammarly to proofread everything. Bringing It All Together: The Final Polish Before you hit submit, make sure you read your entry through the eyes of a judge who knows nothing about your company. Is it clear? Compelling? Does it make you feel proud? The best submissions don't just inform – they inspire. Remember, it's not just about what you've achieved - it's about how you tell your story. Be clear, compelling, and, most importantly, authentic. Your next industry accolade could be just a brilliantly crafted submission away. Image credit: Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-in-formal-wear-holding-a-trophy-7005753/ First published on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unlocking-secrets-stellar-professional-award-submissions-m01cc/?trackingId=UJW3%2FgHnTJeD6vLqWVX0Pw%3D%3D
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