Doing your research homework
When it comes to business awards, not all are created equal. The impact of winning an award can vary depending on its relevance to your industry, recognition within the community, and the rigour of the judging process.
- Search online
Google ‘which are the best UK insurance awards to enter’ and you’ll get a comprehensive list which should help you to pinpoint which award, or awards, will give you the best opportunity.
Remember that the bigger the award, the more competition there’s likely to be.
- Don’t necessarily restrict yourself to just insurance themed awards
If your customer proposition, for example, is ‘delivering the best customer service’, then consider searching online for other suitable award programmes.
- Carefully consider which award to go for
Don’t just apply to any award that you think you're eligible for. Instead, consider which awards are likely to be the most beneficial for you and which category would be most appropriate.
This may depend for example on the prominence of the award scheme, or the promotional benefits offered to those nominated/award winners.
Doing the paperwork
- Give yourself enough time.
Award entries typically sit at the foot of a To Do list, so diarise completion so that you’re ready to go at least a week before the final application date.
Last minute entries are never as good as you’d want them to be, and the chances are that you’ll miss something, or possibly even miss the deadline - and then all your hard work will have gone to waste.
- Read the requirements of entry very carefully
If you don’t answer the question, and/or supply exactly what’s asked for, then you’re not going to win.
- Look at what previous winners have done successfully
Think about why they won. Consider what qualities or achievements made them stand out from the rest.
- Imagine you are judging these awards
Entering an award is like a piece of marketing - and just like any good marketing you need to tell them what you want them to know, then back this up with why they should believe you.
Spell out the benefits. Don’t assume that the judges will be able to join up the dots.
And keep it simple. The awards team will respond positively to an entry that’s been made easy to judge.
- Stand out from the crowd
Think about how you can get the judges’ attention, and try to make your entry stand out from the others.
If you can, try to include photographs or additional supporting evidence, such as videos. Make sure that they look professional and are easy to access.
- Fulfil the criteria
Each entry will be marked using set criteria, so make sure you read through this carefully and answer each question as fully as possible.
- Use the specified format
You may be asked to submit your entry in a particular format. If so then you need to comply (or you may be disqualified).
- Provide the best evidence
If you’re asked to provide relevant evidence of your success, then you must provide it.
Think carefully about what business metrics, analysis, testimonials, case study or other achievement will best showcase your entry. The biggest or the latest is not necessarily the best choice.
- Be concise
The judges will probably have to read through numerous entries, so reading a rambling essay won’t work in your favour. Keep it simple, keep it concise, keep it relevant.
- Write in plain English
The best copywriters write so as to be understood by someone with the reading age of a fourteen-year-old. So don’t use the jargon for your industry. Instead try to explain things in layman’s terms.
- Tell a compelling story
Awards judges may have to sift through lots of submissions, so your application needs to stand out. Don’t just list facts; weave them into a compelling narrative that highlights your journey, challenges, and achievements. The objective is to resonate emotionally with the judges, making your business memorable.
- Don’t copy and paste
Award submissions that have used copy and paste from other applications typically don’t fully answer the questions being asked. As a result you may be marked down, wasting both your time and that of the judges.
- Check your word count
You are likely to be restricted to a minimum or maximum word count. If so then make sure your entry complies.
- Always use Spell Check
A good tip is to write your entry in Word or Pages. Then before submitting, do your word count check, plus a final spell and grammar check.
- Get it reviewed well in advance
Before sending it off, always ask a senior colleague to sense-check and proof-read what you’ve written. Doing this could make all the difference.
A rushed submission is easy to spot and less likely to win. Try to finish your first draft well before the deadline, allowing ample time for revisions.