Writing awards submissions is an art form. Some elements are pretty standard, such as choosing the relevant category, reading the requirements, being honest, and getting your entry proofread. However, there are some details that you can add to make it really stand out amongst the crowd. In this blog article, we’ll discuss what makes a business award submission go above and beyond, so you have a better chance at winning.
What you should include
First of all, let's go through what you need to include to be accepted. Creating an award submission requires a clear strategy, thorough planning, and detailed storytelling. You should make sure you include:
- A brief overview of the project
- Detailed project descriptions including the context, specifics, and key people involved
- Objective, goals, and challenges
- Strategy and implementation including the process, tactics, and steps taken to keep track of the project
- Any results and feedback
- Future implications including the success and how it will influence future initiatives
- Review and final checks before sending off to the awarding body
What makes your submission really great
Now let's get into what you can do to go the extra mile with your submission. These are top writing tips that you can take on board to help you get that win.
Answering all criteria points whilst telling a compelling story
Yes, answering all criteria points is important, but it’s also important to convey a compelling story while you do it. This story should showcase your business’s journey, challenges, and successes.
By transforming your journey into a narrative, you engage the reader and make your application more memorable. Make sure to use vivid descriptions, real-life examples, and a clear timeframe to demonstrate your achievements and how you reached your goals – in detail!
Use strong sub-headings for an easy-to-follow structure
Headings are often forgotten about in awards submissions, but it’s actually super important for organising your submission. A well-structured submission can make it easier to read as well as show that you are methodical and attentive to the small details.
Break down the sections into logical, easy-to-digest parts like ‘Project Overview’, ‘Objectives and Goals’, and ‘Results Achieved’ to allow judges to quickly and easily grasp each section.
Use testimonials to add credibility
Incorporate testimonials from clients, partners, or team members to add depth and authenticity to your submission. Having quotes provides an outside perspective and can reinforce the claims you’re making.
Choose testimonials that specifically highlight the impact of the project, the professionalism of your team, and the results achieved. This can validate your success and provide judges with third-party insights.
Use growth percentages and figures to back up claims
Proving your success is crucial in your awards submission. You should therefore gather any growth percentages, figures or other relevant metrics to quantify the impact of your project. As our founder and managing director, Donna O’Toole, advises:
“The best awards submissions don't just say they have a great impact, they prove it!”
Whether it’s an increase in revenue, customer satisfaction, or a reduction in costs, solid numbers offer hard evidence that your effects led to measurable success.
Use relevant images to bring the entry to life
Adding visuals to your submissions can make your submission more engaging, and can help to illustrate key points. This could include project snapshots, bar charts and graphs, team photos, infographics to present the date, and much more.
These images, if relevant to your project, can help tell your story in a more dynamic way, and can leave a great lasting impression. Any images should be high-quality (leave out the blurry ones!), relevant, support your narrative, and align with the message you want to convey.
Looking to win some awards?
If you want to have the best chance of winning business awards, we can help. We have the knowledge and know-how to help you craft a standout award submission that highlights your strengths and truly impresses the judges. Contact us today to take the next step toward writing an award-winning submission.
