Win business awards in 2024: Tips for better award writing

Whilst the year is still young, it’s high time to get cracking and enter those business awards you always said you would. Make 2024 a particularly special year for you and your business by entering even just one award to get the ball rolling.

Why enter a business award?

Here are five very solid reasons why you should, right off the bat:

1. First and foremost, being named a finalist or winner of a business award – whether at local, industry or national level – is a real shot in the arm for everyone. Think about it: that kind of recognition is proof positive that you, your business and your people are right up there with the best of them. The feel good factor everyone will experience will last well beyond the awards ceremony and may be just the boost you need to consider what else can be achieved.
2. Clients and suppliers will love your success too. They like to think they’ve chosen well in entrusting you with their business and your win is confirmation that they were right. Winning or becoming a finalist is also a very good reason to get in touch with your entire client and supplier database to tell them the good news.
3. Writing your entry will act as a business mirror because it requires you to critically examine what you’ve achieved and outline what you’re aiming for – and that’s no bad thing. Entering will bring clarity about where you are now and where you want to be.
4. Becoming a finalist or a winner is a terrific marketing opportunity. Add your success to your corporate CV, website and LinkedIn profile. Potential new employees and recruiters will be attracted to a business that’s a winner. Your success may well attract potential investors, too.
5. Winning or making it to the finals is a wonderful form of free advertising. Most award organisers will make a big deal – as they should – of nominees, using the upcoming awards gala to showcase the talent they’ve attracted to their industry and beyond. Some awards will provide free marketing of your product or service. And, of course, you can shout about it yourself across your website, social media platforms and client newsletters. Heck, why not emblazon the good news across your email signature?

OK, so now you’re convinced that entering a business award is a good idea, here are some hot tips from the Award Writers team of expert business award entry writers to help you create an award submission that will make the judges sit up:

Commit fully

There really is no getting away from the fact that, when it comes to entering a  business­­­­ award, you really cannot cut corners in terms of the effort you need to put in if you want to win. So, get into the right frame of mind and take award writing seriously from the off. Just as you would before signing a business contract, diligently read the fine print. Read not only each question and its criteria very carefully (we cannot stress this highly enough) but check out all the award guidelines and T&Cs. The last thing you want is to be disqualified because you didn’t read the bit that said, ‘Project examples prior to 1 July 2023 will not be accepted’. Check your entry prior to submission, to ensure you’re 100 per cent compliant with the rules. Then get someone else to double check.

Leave enough time for award writing

Most awards have long lead times but this will rapidly evaporate if you don’t make an early start. Even a little award entry writing every day is a good plan. It will certainly make a big difference to your stress levels as the deadline approaches. A good way to start is by making bullet points of what you want to cover for each question. These can be fleshed out later, but beginning by putting your initial thoughts on paper is excellent progress. Take note of the question’s word count and use that as a guide for how much you can realistically cover in one answer. If the question requires specific evidence – for example, sales figures – make a separate note to organise those details later.

Don’t be backward about coming forward

Judges are looking for entries that outline achievements or actions that stand out from the rest. What is it about whatever it is that you do that makes you a leader in your field? Why is your product or service the best in the market? How does your methodology offer better value? An award entry submission is no time to be modest. It’s imperative that you can demonstrate how your actions exceed what would normally be expected for another person or business doing the same thing. For example, which of these two responses is more effective, do you think?

1. ‘I respond to all client enquiries in a timely manner. I make sure to follow up with further information, if necessary.’
2. ‘All client enquiries receive an immediate acknowledgement text or email prior to my personally responding within 24 hours. I then follow up with an email confirming our discussion and log a follow up call to check the client is fully satisfied no later than 2 weeks after their initial enquiry.’

Get the picture?

Write your award entry in first person

Your entry is about and your business, submissions are more effective if written in first person. So, unless the guidelines specifically direct you to write in third person, use ‘I’ and ‘We’ to describe yourself and your team. Doing so is the next best thing to having a face-to-face conversation with an award judge because writing in first person makes your story that much more personal.

Be honest

Many awards include a question about the challenges you’ve faced along the way. There’s no shame in admitting to roadblocks on your journey so be honest and frank in your answer. Clearly explain what the challenge was, how you overcame it and what the outcome was. If the challenge hasn’t yet been resolved, be equally frank about your ongoing plan to find a workable resolution. It’s equally important to be honest about your successes. Steer clear of boasting, embellishing or making unsubstantiated claims – ‘We’re the market leaders in financial planning’. Only make claims that you can back up with facts – ‘We’re the market leaders in financial planning, selling more first-time buyer mortgages annually than any other regional provider’.

Include supporting evidence

Most awards offer the opportunity to upload supporting documentation, such as figures, testimonials, images, survey results, media coverage or interesting case studies highlighting how you went the extra mile. Sometimes, supporting documentation is noted as being ‘optional’. If you’re serious about winning the award then consider supporting documentation to be mandatory and start organising what you you’ll include to highlight your achievements. Warning: it can take time to collate supporting evidence, so don’t leave it to the last minute. Make sure to label everything you submit so that judges are clear as to how what you’ve included demonstrates your worthiness as a potential winner.

Who benefits?

Wherever possible take care to show how your efforts have been of benefit. Judges are always keen to know how your actions have translated into a positive impact on others or how you’ve made a difference in your industry or community. For example, rather than a transactional statement – ‘I was the top aircon installer in 2023, fitting 224 households’ – it delivers more of a punch to describe the difference you made – ‘I was the top aircon installer in 2023, helping 224 Australian families to relax, enjoy life and beat the summer heat.’

Create your draft as a separate document

A great many awards require responses to be entered directly into a portal. Resist the temptation to ‘save time’ by inputting your answers directly online. While this may seem like a good idea, some portals don’t allow content to be revised once you’ve moved on to the next question. Also, working this way makes it difficult to share your submission with others for their input. Always create your entry in a Word document first, only cutting and pasting your answers into the portal once you’re completely happy with the draft. Your Word document version also makes it easier to revise your entry next year or tweak it to enter other awards in 2024.

Leave time to proofread

Never ever skip this step.

Consider professional award writing assistance

Not everyone is a natural born writer, nor does everyone have the time to create a winning entry. If you’re struggling to put your achievements down on paper in a logical format or find it uncomfortable to write about yourself, then consider employing the services of a professional award writer. The team of writers at Proof Communications are each experts at award writing. For well over two decades, we’ve written scores of compelling award entries every year, giving our clients the best possible chance of success. We can either write the award for you or review your draft, giving you valuable advice and support on how to make it really shine. If you’d like to discuss either option, then why not get in touch today on 02 8036 5532 or 0448 566 377 or head to the contact page.