Awards: how they can grow your business and choosing the right ones
Our founder and director Rosie recently took home Enterprise Nation’s Top PR Adviser Award which was a huge boost. The importance of awards in business is something that is often overlooked and might not be at the top of a small business owner’s busy agenda. However, a win can lead to some tangible benefits so make sure you take up any great opportunities.
Read on to discover how an award can help strengthen your small business and what to consider when shortlisting the right ones for you.
BE SMART ABOUT WHAT AWARDS TO ENTER
Every award you come across won’t be right for your business. Large turnover and huge growth can be a massive driver for some judges and lots of businesses don’t have that. Don’t let that dishearten you though. If you think your brand is too small to enter an award, think again. There are a huge variety of options for brands of all sizes, including start up and small businesses, and the key is to find the one that suits your brand.
This may seem obvious but make sure you read the full criteria in detail and look at the shortlisted businesses and winners from previous years. Having a look at awards your competitors have entered is also a good way of finding suitable ones. Review your brand and pick the award and category/categories where you stand the best chance of winning rather than the ones that have been recommended to you. The more relevant the award is the higher the chances of you winning are. Once you’re ready to enter, plan your pitch and allow plenty of time.
Small business awards that really focus on small businesses are generally great. One example of this is The Mollie Makes Handmade Awards which champions talented designers. Earlier this year our member The Completist bagged the prize for Best Small Business which included a pop-up shop at West Elm, a two year membership to Designer/Makers and an advertising package in Mollie. A great achievement all around.
AWARDS EQUALS PRESS
The buzz you get from being associated with an award (before, during and after) can gain you great exposure and help you reach a new and wider audience. From social media to marketing, every bit of promotion and mentions of your brand counts as press coverage and will help raise your brand’s profile. Also, if you do win, don’t forget to communicate your good news to local press.
PR’ING YOUR ACHIEVEMENT
Winning an award is massive and it is something you should shout about from the rooftops. It adds value and are a great indication that your small business is going in the right direction. That’s why it’s crucial to make your success a key part of your marketing strategy; highlight your win through your newsletter, social media, blog and website. Demonstrating your triumph to customers past and present will reinforce that you’re a reliable and credible business to purchase from.
Being ‘award winning’ is also an effective way to rise above your competitors and create recognition within the industry, while increasing your brand awareness.
THE POWER OF COLLABORATION
Celebrating your own success is of course important, but it is equally (if not more) important to network and create long-lasting relationships with other shortlisted businesses and winners. Running a small business doesn’t have to be a solo project and building a strong and tight-knit network is essential if you wish to grow and can prove hugely beneficial for your business. Because ‘it’s not always what you know, but who you know’.
We are a small team working round the clock to give our members the best advice and support. You can find out more about us here.