Business Awards Tips

Winning prestigious business awards can advance both global corporations and local businesses – business award wins can significantly boost your company’s reputation, enhance business credibility, and open doors to new business opportunities. However, crafting an award-winning business award entry requires more than just a good story. It demands a strategic approach, compelling writing, and substantial evidence to support your claims. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create compelling business award submissions that truly stand out.

Before diving into writing your award entry, it’s crucial to understand the nomination process. Each business award has its own set of rules, criteria, and deadlines. Make sure you are clear on what the judges in your chosen business awards program are looking for. Review previous winners if possible, and note what set them apart.

Know the Criteria
Read the business award guidelines and understand the award criteria on which your business award entry will be judged. This knowledge will help you tailor your business award submission to meet the expectations of the judging panel.

Choose the Right Category
Selecting the most appropriate categories for your business award submissions is vital. Entering the wrong category can diminish your chances of winning, even if your business award entry actually has some strong points. Review all available business award categories and choose the categories that best align with your company’s achievements and your business goals. Remember you can usually enter multiple business award categories in any given business awards program, thereby increasing your chances. For more tips on how to select the most appropriate categories for the best ROI, please refer to our guide on selecting the best business award categories.

Gather Supporting Data
Data is the backbone of any compelling business award entry. It provides the evidence you need to substantiate your claims. Even if you have put in the hard work, achieved impressive results, and are ready to tell your story in a business award submission – if you don’t highlight the right information, in the right way, to truly capture the judges attention, your chances of winning might diminish. Judges read dozens, if not hundreds, of business awards submissions as part of the judging process. If your business award entry doesn’t stand out, you’re dead in the water.

Here’s how to gather and present your data in your business award entry effectively:

1. Use Bullet Points for Clarity
Bullet points help break down complex information into digestible chunks. They make your business award entry easier to read and highlight key points succinctly.

2. Incorporate Statistics and Numbers
Statistics and numbers add weight to the claims included in your business award entry. They provide quantifiable evidence that can persuade judges of your business’s impact or success. For example:
• “Increased revenue by 30% over the past year.”
• “Reduced customer complaints by 40%.”

3. Include Case Studies
A well-written case study can illustrate your business’s success in a relatable way. In your business award submission, focus on specific challenges, your approach to overcoming them, and the results achieved.

4. Gather Quotes
Quotes from satisfied clients, stakeholders, or industry experts can lend credibility to your business award submission. Ensure the quotes are relevant and support the claims made in your business award nomination.

Write a Convincing Business Award Submission
With your data in hand, it’s time to craft a compelling narrative for your business award submission. Here’s how to write an award entry that captivates judges:

1. Start with a Strong Introduction
Your introduction should grab the judges’ attention and set the stage for the story in your business award entry. Clearly state your business’s achievements and what makes your entry stand out.

2. Tell a Compelling Story
Narratives are powerful. Beyond meeting the criteria, judges are looking for compelling narratives, clear evidence, and a clear understanding of your impact. They want to see the ‘why’ behind your achievements, not just the ‘what’. Tell the story of your business journey, highlighting key achievements and milestones. Needless to say, make sure the story told in your business award submission aligns with the business award criteria and category (which takes us back to the importance of selecting the best business award categories).

3. Be Concise and Clear
Judges often have many business award entries to review. Keep your submission concise and focused. Avoid jargon and ensure your points are clear and direct.

4. Highlight Your Unique Selling Points
What makes your business different? Highlight your unique selling points and how they have contributed to your success. Use specific examples to demonstrate the points in your business award submission.

5. Using Visuals to Enhance Your Entry
Visuals can enhance your business award submission by better illustrating your key points. Consider including charts, graphs, or images that support the narrative in your business award entry – in most business award programs, you can attach them to your entry as supporting materials.

6. Reviewing and Editing Your Submission
Before submitting your business award entry, take the time to review and edit it. Here’s a checklist to ensure your business award submission is polished:
• Check for Clarity: Ensure your points are clear and easily understood.
• Verify Data: Double-check all statistics, numbers, and quotes for accuracy.
• Proofread: Look for spelling and grammatical errors. Nothing brings an award entry down as much as bad spelling or grammar!
• Get Feedback: Have someone else review your business award submission for a fresh perspective.

Real-World Examples of Winning Entries
Learning from past winners can provide valuable insights into what makes an award entry successful.

Here are a few quick – and relatively generic, on purpose – examples:

Example 1: Innovative Product Launch
A tech company submitted an entry for an innovative product launch. They highlighted the product’s unique features, included customer testimonials and case studies on the product use, and presented sales growth statistics post-launch.

Example 2: Community Impact
A small business focused on its community impact initiatives. They provided case studies of local projects, included quotes from community leaders, and showcased measurable improvements in local engagement.

Conclusion
Crafting a winning business award entry requires a blend of strategic storytelling, solid evidence, and attention to detail. By understanding the nomination process in prestigious business awards, gathering robust supporting data, and writing a compelling narrative for your business award nomination, you can create a business award entry that truly stands out to judges, even in the most prestigious business awards programs.

Remember, a well-prepared business award submission not only increases your chances of winning a prestigious business award, but also reinforces your business’s achievements and credibility. With these tips, you’re well on your way to crafting award-winning entries that showcase your company’s success.

Looking for more business awards tips?

How-to tips on submitting in prestigious business awards:

Selecting business awards categories: How to choose the most appropriate business awards categories for your company

Business awards deadlines: How not to miss any critical business awards deadlines

Business awards entry fees: Are business awards even worth the entry fees? (We’ll spoil it: the answer is a resounding, yes!)

Once you have won a prestigious business award like Best in Biz Awards: Tips for maximizing the ROI of prestigious business awards 

 

For business award submissions in various vertical or industry areas:

For submissions from small companies and small businesses: How small companies can effectively competer with bigger brands in international business awards

For executive awards and leadership awards submissions: How to win in executive and leadership awards

For submissions in sustainability and green categories: How to reward your employees’ sustainability efforts with prestigious business awards

For technology giants and tech start-ups: Why tech companies should apply in prestigious business awards

For technology innovations award submissions: How to highlight your company’s or product technology innovations in prestigious business awards

For product award submissions: How to showcase your product innovation, client ROI and success in your business award entry

For AI technology innovations and AI product submissions: How to highlight your AI leadership and AI innovations through AI awards and prestigious business awards

For entrants from Poland: Jak prestizowe nagrody biznesowe moga pomoc firmom (po polsku) 

 

About Best in Biz Awards

Since 2011, Best in Biz Awards has been among the most prestigious business awards in North America and globally, and it remains the only independent business awards program judged by well-known writers and editors from various top-tier publications.

From Associated Press to Yahoo Tech’s David Pogue – and including Businessweek, CNET, Consumer Affairs, Fast Company, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Network World, PC Magazine, Reuters, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Wired and more – Best in Biz Awards each year is judged by prominent reporters and editors from the most respected publications.

From ADP to Zappos, past winners in Best in Biz Awards span the spectrum, from the most recognizable global brands through local mom-and-pop shops and Shark Tank sensations to some of today’s most cutting-edge start-ups. Other notable winners over the years have included: 1-800-Flowers, ADP, Aflac, AT&T, Best Western, Burger King, Chipotle, crocs, Dell, Dyson, Epson, Ernst & Young, Experian, GoDaddy, Hilton, HP, IBM, LifeLock, Microsoft, National Association of Realtors, Planet Fitness, Safelite, Sandisk, Santander Bank, Sheraton, StubHub, Symantec, UnitedHealthcare, Walmart, Wells Fargo, YMCA, and more.

For more information about Best in Biz Awards, see our About page; or read more about our North American program and International program.

For the full list of business award categories offered in the 15th annual Best in Biz Awards, see our business award categories.

For all category winners in the 14th annual Best in Biz Awards, see: 2024 business award winners.