Length: 5-minute read.

Quick Summary: Writing winning award submissions can be an art, not a science, but many businesses still overlook the fundamentals. When writing submissions that win awards, there are three major steps to take.

How writing award submissions benefits your business

Being shortlisted for and, ultimately, winning awards can go a long way towards demonstrating your business’s position as a leader in its field. In particular, it can showcase your consistency and credibility within your industry to potential customers and partners, especially when the recognition you receive comes from a credible source, such as an industry body, partner, or leading trade publication.

There are a number of reasons why writing award submissions should form a key part of your brand strategy, including the opportunity to:

  • showcase the groundbreaking, innovative work your company does
  • align your brand with leading vendors and organisations in your field
  • promote your success in your network.

However, while many business leaders recognise the value of writing submissions and throwing their hats in the ring, not every organisation has experience writing submissions that set them up to secure a win.

For the best chance of success when it comes to writing submissions that win awards, there are three key things you need to know and do.

1. Read and understand the criteria and eligibility for award submissions

This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are many times when businesses submit for awards where they don’t meet the criteria or are otherwise ineligible for the award or category they’re contending for.

Professional awards criteria are there for a reason: they tell you what you’re going to be judged on and help provide the guidelines for you to tell your story. It’s important to ensure the story you want to tell is going to fit the bill, or your chances of winning will significantly reduce.

For example, if the criteria ask for year-on-year growth or specific metrics to demonstrate the direct value your project had for the customer, it’s best to ensure you submit a project where you have this information on hand. An awards submission based on a recent customer win may not be the best choice, even if the benefits will make for a compelling story down the track. Consider keeping recent wins in your back pocket for the following awards season.

Carefully considering the criteria will also help you to more easily identify where your strengths lie based on what is being asked, and gives you an opportunity to drill down into what your project delivers that truly benefits your customers.

You might think it doesn’t matter that you don’t meet the criteria, or think that having any submission at all—even if incomplete—is better than not trying at all. Unfortunately, this could reflect badly on your business in the eyes of the judges, and you could ruin your chances of future awards success by failing to craft an awards submission that doesn’t even meet the basics. It also might indicate to the judges that you don’t value or respect them, their time, or their intelligence.

If you’re not sure if your business, project, or one of your employees is right for one award, you might find you’re better suited to another. Be sure to consider other Australian business awards that your business may be eligible for.

2. Back up your awards submissions with facts, figures, and references

Data has been king in the business world for a long time now, and its role in awards submissions is no different. Telling a story with your awards submission is important, but you also need to back it up with verifiable figures. Including measurable data points that demonstrate your achievements can go a long way towards strengthening your submission and help to give you that all-important competitive edge.

To increase your chance of success, consider possible metrics against the criteria. Similarly, if the criteria are looking for benefits you’ve delivered for a client, look for facts and figures you can use to back up your claims. Data points make it easier for judges to more effectively assess the scale and value of your work. If there’s an opportunity to include attachments in your award submission, consider including independent, third-party information that helps to bolster your claims.

Writing submissions that win awards also goes beyond including data points and a good story. Having a third-party reference that you can include from a respected and established source can significantly strengthen your submission and build your credibility. A written reference or customer testimonial can help to demonstrate the benefits of your business and its products or solutions to the judges.

3. Don’t overlook the awards submission basics

Meeting the criteria and including information that backs up your claims are both critical steps to take to ensure your awards submissions tell a strong story. However, some of the most important and often overlooked elements are in the very basics of submissions.

When writing submissions, it’s important to consider two fundamental things: word count and careful editing.

  1. Word count: the word count acts as a guide for how long (or short) your submission should be, and it’s important that you adhere to them. The biggest reason for this is simple: time. Often, a word count is provided because it ensures judges have enough time to read the information you’ve provided and to get through all the awards submissions by the deadline. If you write too much and go well over the word count, chances are your submission won’t be read in its entirety. Similarly, if you write well under the word count, it’s a likely indicator that your awards submission is weak and lacks substance (and/or relevant supporting information).
  2. Editing: editing is an exceptional way to keep your submissions within the word count; however, it’s also critical to ensure your submission is as perfect as possible. Spelling and grammatical errors can and do have an impact on the quality of your awards submission. Not only can they make your submission look rushed, but incorrect spelling or the use of particular words or phrasing can change the story you’re telling. If communication isn’t your wheelhouse, consider working with an external copywriting agency that offers proofreading services to help tidy your submission.

Writing award submissions can be more of an art than a science, but it’s still important to get the basics down to ensure the best chance of success. Often, businesses benefit from working with a professional communications agency to help craft their awards submissions. Write Away Communication offers professional award writing and proofreading services to help businesses put their best foot forward every award season.

For more information on how you can work with Write Away Communication to create leading award submissions, contact the team today.