Publicity Through Awards: Leveraging Recognition in Your Marketing Strategy
You ever walk into a shop and see a little award sticker on the door, and it makes you think, “Huh, this place must be doing something cool”? That’s not just random, it’s a smart move.
Awards can give your business or nonprofit, like one helping with humanitarian efforts, a real boost. I was grabbing coffee with my pal who runs a tiny bakery, and she was still over the moon about a “best local spot” award she got last year. She said it was like the whole town started showing up for her muffins.
That’s what we’re talking about here: how awards can help your business get noticed. Why should you care? When everyone’s trying to get noticed, a little recognition can make people stop and look.
I’ve seen folks mess this up, shoving awards in a drawer like old receipts. Let’s not do that. It’s about finding awards that feel like they were made for you, sharing your story in a way that clicks, and using a win to get closer to your customers.
Honestly, the trophy’s just a bonus, it’s what you do with it that counts. I’m no hotshot, but I’ve watched this work wonders for little shops and big brands alike.
Wanna figure out how to make awards work for you, even if you’re just kicking things off?
What’s Up with Awards These Days?
Awards today are a whole different deal. Back when my uncle ran a hardware store, a plaque from the local business group was enough to make you feel like a star, people would see it and think you were legit. Now? There’s an award for everything best app, greenest coffee shop, even “best office pet.”
I saw somewhere Business Awards UK, I think that entries went up 30% from 2020 to 2024, especially for online businesses. But here’s the thing: some awards are awesome, like the Stevie Awards, and others are just scams where you pay for a sticker that means nothing.
I got fooled once helping a friend apply for one, it looked so cool online, but it was a total letdown. You’ve got to find awards your customers will care about.
There’s this coffee shop I go to that won a “green business” award and made it a story about local farmers and less waste. Their sales jumped 15% that year.
Do your customers even notice awards? Yeah, but you’ve got to make it mean something to them. Pick smart, or you’re just chasing shiny stuff that’s not worth it.
Breaking Down How to Do It
Picking the Right Awards
Choosing an award is like picking the perfect gift for a friend, it’s got to feel right. Not every award is worth your time. If you’ve got a tech startup, maybe try for a Webby or a local “new ideas” prize. Run a taco stand? Look for food or community awards.
It’s got to match your vibe. My friend with a flower shop went for a “best customer service” award because her customers love her little thank-you notes.
She won, and it gave her a reason to email everyone with a “we did it” message. Sales went up after that. Look at Patagonia, they got a 2019 UN award for being eco-friendly and used it to talk up their green mission on Instagram.
What award would make your customers think, “That’s my kind of place”? You don’t need a big prize; local ones can hit just as hard. I sometimes wonder if we stress too much about fancy awards when a small one might feel more real.
What’s an award your competitors haven’t even thought of?
Writing a Great Application
Writing an award application is like telling a friend why your business is special, you’ve got to be real but show off a bit. It’s not just forms; it’s about telling a story that grabs people. Judges like numbers, like “we sold 20% more” or “we gave out 10,000 free meals.”
But don’t just throw numbers out there, say why it matters. I helped my friend with her catering business’s best business award application, and we spent hours digging through customer reviews and sales stats.
It was a slog, but when she won and got a story in the local paper, we were like, “No way, we did that!” Judges are just folks, they want to feel something.
Don’t make it too perfect; it’ll sound fake. Check out what past winners wrote, but don’t copy them. What’s your thing? I’ve seen businesses lose because they sounded like everyone else.
Ever tried writing something that’s professional but still sounds like you? It’s tough, but that’s what wins. If you’re stuck, think of one moment that shows what your business is about, that’s your hook.
Making the Most of Your Win
So you won an award, awesome! But don’t just stick the logo on your website and forget it. You’ve got to make it mean something to your customers.
Share it on social media, your blog, or an email, but don’t just say, “We’re the best!” Tell a story about what the win says about you. When Slack won a Fast Company award for being innovative in 2019, they didn’t just brag, they talked about how their tool makes work easier for people.
That’s the move. There’s this gym near me that won a “best fitness spot” award and pitched it to the local paper as a community win, they got a whole page. You can do that; newspapers love “local hero” stories.
But don’t go overboard, I’ve seen businesses spam everyone about their win until it’s annoying. Ever gotten an email that feels like a sales pitch pretending to be good news?
Don’t be that person. Share your win like you’re telling a friend about a great day, keep it real, and let the award make your story bigger.
Comparing Different Approaches
There’s no one way to chase awards, it’s like choosing between a quick snack or a big dinner. Some businesses apply for every award they can find. It’s a lot of work, but it gets your name out there.
Others pick just one or two awards that really matter. A 2023 survey from Awards International said 68% of people trust brands more after a win, but only if it feels legit.
I’m more into picking a few good ones, but I get why some folks go all out. There’s a brewery near me that tried for every regional award and got some buzz, but they said it was exhausting.
Then there’s this boutique hotel that won a single “best boutique” award and turned it into a year-long campaign with awesome Instagram posts. Both ways can work, but the focused one feels less like a wild chase.
What’s your style, do you want a wall full of awards or one win that everyone remembers? It depends on what you’re going for, but don’t just chase awards to feel good.
What’s Coming for Awards?
The awards world is changing fast, faster than I can keep up with sometimes. Virtual award shows are a big deal now, thanks to the pandemic, and they’re great for small businesses.
No need to fly to some fancy event. I watched a client’s virtual award show last year, and it was just as exciting as the real thing, minus the bad coffee. Awards for things like ethical investment or diversity are getting big, too.
A 2024 study said 72% of younger folks want brands that care about the world, so these awards really hit home. But here’s the problem: with so many awards out there, some are just scams to take your money.
You’ve got to be careful. I’m crossing my fingers we’ll see more honest awards soon, maybe ones where people vote or there’s some kind of proof they’re legit.
Ever seen an award that seemed too good to be true? Dig into the details before you jump in. Awards have a bright future, but you’ve got to be smart to pick the good ones.
Bringing It All Together
Awards can give your marketing a real lift, but they’re not a magic wand. It’s about finding the right ones, telling a story that feels honest, and sharing your win in a way that clicks with folks.
I’ve seen a best business award turn a little shop into the talk of the town, and I’ve seen others let their wins collect dust like old birthday cards. Whether you’re chasing something about ethical investment or a local prize, it’s all about showing people what you’re about.
I sometimes think we make this harder than it needs to be awards are just a way to share your story in a cool way. What’s one award that could make your customers look at you differently?
Find it, go for it, and don’t be shy about telling people. Just don’t go on and on, nobody likes a show-off. You’ve got this, and a little recognition can take you far.
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment