Photo by Julie Rybarczyk
Business awards will not just drop into your lap because your run a successful company. If you want your business to be recognized, it’s time to go out and make your case. Make a plan to research these opportunities efficiently.
Instead of haphazardly applying to any award opportunities that you come across, set aside time to learn more about what’s out there. This can include checking out what awards your competitors have won, as well as awards won by companies like yours in other regions. Often, one organization will have multiple versions of the same award, for different areas of the country or state. Always follow this research with a search for any other opportunities in your field. Some sample searches: “[your field] awards” or “small business awards [your state].”
Once you have identified some possible targets, evaluate them on reputability, entry cost and suitability for your business as it is right now. Your business may not be a contender for major business awards yet. That’s not a reason to ignore the others — a variety of lesser-known honors can help you win a more notable recognition later.
Many awards require an entry fee. Don’t cut applications from your list just because there’s a fee, but do consider the cost relative to the likelihood that your business will win. Set aside a budget for award entries for the year before you apply to any, and stick to it. Weigh opportunities against one another if you can’t pay for both from this budget.
Evaluating an award’s reputability is largely a common-sense exercise. Does the website look polished and professional? Are the past winners companies you respect? Is anyone calling the program a scam online?
Finally, consider the award itself. Many are simply a certificate and a badge you can post on your website. Others include an opportunity to speak at an event. Consider the possible outcomes when you decide whether an entry fee is worth it.
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Next step: learn to write strong award submissions.
