Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Follow the award application guidelines to the letter. Take the time to fill out the award application completely. Many awards do not have a formal application form – just a few broad guidelines. In these cases it is up to you to write out the material you want the judges to take into account. Don’t skip over any sections or assume that by attaching a marketing brochure you are meeting the requirements! Judges are not clairvoyant. They have to go by what is on the application, and if you don’t write it in the application they may or may not dig through your marketing brochure to find something applicable.
• Create a template for award submissions. If you do not know where to start for creating a template, look to proposal writing guides and tips available on the Web. Writing proposals for grants, government contracts, or responses to RFPs share some similarities with writing an application for a business award. They may trigger ideas for how to structure your application and how to make it persuasive. Just remember: proposals are usually much longer and more involved than applications for business awards. Don’t overdo it.
• Be persuasive. After all, you have to convince the judges that your business should win. So put your best marketing hat on. Just remember to be authentic.
• Above all else, have a compelling story. Awards are in large part about PR. The businesses that have interesting, compelling and well-told stories always have the advantage over businesses that can’t seem to get across the impressive things they have accomplished. Practice telling your story on family and friends until you hone it into something compelling.
• Edit. Then edit again. When you apply for an award, the only thing the judges typically see (at least for making the first finalist cut) is your application. You know what they say about making a first impression, and this is your first impression to the judges. Make sure your application is succinct and easy to read. Use a spell checker. Take the time to format the document to make it look attractive, also.
• After you submit your award application, save a copy and use the document as a starting point for applying for other awards in the future. It will make the process of applying for awards more efficient, and save you time.