Awards can be a game-changer for businesses and individuals, boosting credibility, visibility, and professional reputation. But to get recognized, it all starts with a compelling award submission. Crafting a winning entry isn’t just about listing achievements—it’s about telling a story that resonates with the judges and stands out from the competition. Here’s how you can create an award submission that captures attention:
1. Understand the Criteria
- Each award has specific judging criteria, and your submission should align closely with these requirements. Whether it’s innovation, social impact, or leadership, ensure that your submission highlights key areas the judges will focus on.
- Tip: Use bullet points to directly address each criterion.
- Research Insight: According to the International Awards Association, 70% of judges report that the most common reason submissions fail is because they don’t directly address the award criteria.
2. Tell a Story
- Judges read through numerous submissions, so make yours memorable by weaving a narrative. Instead of just listing facts, craft a story about your journey, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This helps to humanize the submission and makes it more relatable.
- Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your story.
- Research Insight: A study published in the Journal of Communication found that storytelling increases a reader’s emotional engagement by 22%, making it more likely for your submission to be memorable.
3. Provide Evidence of Impact
- Judges love data. Back up your claims with concrete evidence—whether it’s financial growth, increased customer satisfaction, or social change. Include relevant metrics and testimonials to demonstrate your success and the tangible impact of your work.
- Tip: Use graphs or charts if possible to visually represent data.
- Stat to Note: 88% of judges prefer submissions that include quantifiable evidence of impact, such as revenue growth or increased customer engagement, according to a survey by Awards Intelligence.
4. Be Specific and Clear
- Avoid vague or generic language. Instead of saying “We achieved great results,” specify what those results are, such as “Our initiative led to a 25% increase in sales within six months.” Precision and clarity make your achievements more credible.
- Tip: Edit your submission thoroughly to ensure that it’s free from jargon and overly technical language.
- Research Insight: Submissions with specific, measurable results are 50% more likely to be shortlisted, according to the Award Management Best Practices Guide.
5. Tailor for the Audience
- Every award has its unique audience, and your submission should be written with them in mind. Whether the judges are from the business world, academia, or the nonprofit sector, understand their background and tailor your tone and content accordingly.
- Tip: Research previous winners to get an idea of what resonates with that particular audience.
- Fact to Know: Judges from different fields look for different qualities: for example, 68% of corporate award judges prioritize financial impact, while nonprofit award judges focus more on social impact and innovation.
6. Highlight Unique Selling Points
- What sets you apart from other nominees? Be sure to emphasize what makes your project, company, or individual achievements unique. Whether it’s an innovative approach, outstanding community impact, or groundbreaking technology, make sure your submission highlights these points.
- Tip: Add a section that specifically outlines your unique differentiators.
- Research Insight: A report by Award Winning Strategies found that focusing on unique contributions can increase your chances of winning by 45% compared to generic, standard submissions.
7. Focus on the Outcomes
- While it’s important to talk about the process, your submission should focus heavily on the outcomes of your work. Judges want to know the tangible benefits that resulted from your efforts. Were lives changed? Did your project lead to systemic improvements? These are the kinds of questions you should answer.
- Tip: Use testimonials from clients or stakeholders to validate your outcomes.
- Stat to Know: 92% of winning award submissions focus on measurable outcomes over the process, according to research by Awards Global.
8. Keep It Concise
- Award submissions often have word limits, and even if they don’t, brevity is still key. Be succinct while ensuring that you’re addressing all the criteria. Judges don’t have time to wade through lengthy paragraphs, so get straight to the point while maintaining the substance of your achievements.
- Tip: Use bullet points, headers, and subheaders to make your submission more readable.
- Research Insight: According to Awards International, 64% of judges favor submissions that are concise and to the point.
9. Proofread and Edit
- Errors in your submission, whether grammatical or factual, can undermine your credibility. Carefully proofread your submission to ensure it’s free of mistakes. Consider having someone else review it to catch any errors you might have missed.
- Tip: Use online tools to check for grammar and readability before submitting.
- Stat to Note: Award-winning submissions are 30% less likely to contain grammatical errors than non-winning entries.
10. Submit Early
- Submitting your entry well before the deadline allows you time for any last-minute revisions. Rushing the process increases the likelihood of mistakes or omissions that could hurt your chances of winning.
- Tip: Set internal deadlines and reminders to keep your submission process on track.
- Research Insight: 20% of submissions are disqualified due to being incomplete or late, according to a study by the Global Awards Alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How long should my award submission be?
Answer: Every award has its own word limit. It’s important to keep your submission within the given range. If no word limit is specified, aim for concise yet thorough responses. Stick to the key achievements and provide evidence without overwhelming the judges with unnecessary details.
Q2: What if I don’t have any hard data to back up my claims?
Answer: While quantitative data strengthens your submission, it’s not always required. You can use qualitative evidence, such as testimonials, case studies, or narratives that showcase the impact of your work. Make sure to highlight tangible results in a way that can still impress the judges.
Q3: How important is the storytelling aspect?
Answer: Storytelling is crucial. While facts and achievements are important, a compelling narrative can help your submission stand out. It allows the judges to connect emotionally with your submission and see the human impact behind the numbers.
Q4: Can I submit the same content for different awards?
Answer: It’s not advisable to use the same submission for different awards without customization. Each award may have unique criteria, and it’s essential to tailor your entry to fit what the judges are specifically looking for in each case.
Q5: How early should I start preparing my submission?
Answer: Start as early as possible. Preparing an award submission can take time, especially when gathering data, testimonials, and refining your narrative. A good rule of thumb is to begin at least a few weeks to a month before the submission deadline.
Writing a compelling award submission is both an art and a science. By understanding the criteria, crafting a story, providing evidence, and presenting your case clearly and concisely, you can improve your chances of winning. Remember, the more effort you put into your submission, the more likely it is that the judges will take notice.