Creating a winning awards entry is probably one of the best ways to generate leads for your business. There’s nothing better than public recognition to prove you are the best of the best. Used throughout your marketing, winning an industry award will clearly demonstrate to your future customers just how brilliant you are.

However, you need to get it right to make sure you increase your chances. Do that and you will get higher quality leads that will be easier to convert into sales.

• Start early. Preparing a winning entry takes time, so make sure you start early and give yourself plenty of time to review. It is a bit like packing a suitcase when you are going on holiday. Leave it to the last minute and you will undoubtedly leave out something very important.
• Read the rules. Make sure you go through the entry criteria with a fine tooth comb. It would be such a waste of time for both you and the judges if you did something silly leading to your submission being rejected.
• Consider entering more than one category. In the Bridal Buyer Awards there is almost certainly more than one category that is appropriate to your business. Entering for more than one award will raise your profile and increase your chances of being shortlisted.
• Don’t be afraid to ask. If you have any questions about the awards, then don’t be afraid to ask.
• Answer every question. Now this one might sound really obvious, but you would be surprised how many beautiful looking entries from top organisations are binned because they haven’t answered the question. Check the question carefully against your answer to make sure that they are very closely aligned.
• Use benefits throughout. Try to make sure that your answers are full of benefits not just facts and figures. For example, if growing your sales meant that you were able to employ more staff, then go on to say that this directly benefited the local job market. Judges love anything to do with growing your business so make sure you explain the benefits of everything you have achieved.
• Provide proof. Judges like to see evidence of your achievements. Qualifications, client testimonials and even financial proof, if appropriate are all great to include in your submission. If you’ve got it, flaunt it!
• Be honest about your challenges. Let’s face it, not every business is a success all the time. Share with the judges how you overcame challenges in your business. Selling internationally can be a real challenge for any business, especially with currency fluctuations and transportation nightmares. Remember that they will want to see how you overcame adversity too.
• Share your passion. Entertaining and passionate entries will always stand out to the judges. They want enthusiastic winners to promote the awards to others businesses too, so demonstrate that passion throughout your entry.
• Make it easy to read. The judges will have a lot of short-listed entries to go through so you need them to quickly digest your entry. Use pictures, graphs and bullet points to make it easier for them to love and like you and your business.
• Mind your words. Stick to the number of words allowed and make sure you don’t use jargon. Awards organisers like to engage a diverse judging panel so don’t assume that they know your industry and the terminology it uses.
• Proof read your entry. Read your entry three times before you submit your winning awards entry. Better still ask someone else who knows your business to read through it. Relying on spell checker to correct any faux pas is no substitute to a human giving it the once over. If the awards are really important to you then engage the services of a professional copywriter. A good one is worth more than their weight in gold!
• Submit on time. Missing the deadline is a big no no and so very easily avoided. Try putting reminders in your diary to prevent this from happening.
• Don’t give up. If you are not on the shortlist then don’t give up. In my experience the more awards you go for, the more likely you are to win one, or two, or three.

Entering can seem scary as you are opening up yourself and your business to scrutiny. However, don’t panic. Consider the positives and imagine being on stage accepting the award. You will also have a brilliant time at the ceremony itself. This is your annual opportunity to network with other industry experts that will really benefit your business on so many levels.

Want to enter? Head to bridalbuyerawards.com now! Entries must be in by 5 May 2017.