Industry award entries are well worth the effort

For me, January means one thing: awards. It’s the time of year when I spend most of my working day surfing award websites, picking award categories and, of course, writing award entries. Since many of the industry awards we are interested in, both as a business and on behalf of our clients, aim to fit the entire awards process – entry opening, submission deadline, judging, shortlist announcement, and awards dinner – into one year, entry deadlines are heavily weighted towards January, February, and to a lesser extent, March. 

To the unbaptised, the industry awards process can be daunting. But these awards offer businesses a chance to spotlight their achievements and boost their reputation, making entering well worth the effort.

Entering industry awards is more than just a bid for a trophy. It is an opportunity to highlight achievement, build credibility, and strengthen your brand’s position in the market. Being shortlisted or winning an award provides external validation, signalling to clients, investors, and partners that the business delivers excellence.

Recognition through awards can also be a huge motivator for employees, helping to create a culture of pride and drive teamwork, as well as being a draw for new recruits, showcasing specific strengths such as expertise in a particular sector, or a commitment to developing diversity, for example. These strengths can be highlighted on social media, helping businesses stand out by showcasing their achievements, whilst also providing a reason to connect with key audiences. 

Top tips for creating your award entry – and some common mistakes

At SEC Newgate UK, we have a strong track record of entering our clients – and ourselves – into industry awards, getting shortlisted, and winning. The first step in any successful award submission is to carefully review the entry criteria because each award will have specific requirements and judging benchmarks that you must bear in mind when working on your entry.

Next: clearly explain how your project or business meets the key points outlined in the criteria. Try to avoid generic responses, vague claims or unsubstantiated statements, and focus on using specific examples to support your argument.

At the heart of every strong award submission is a clear and compelling narrative. Structure your entry to highlight not only what you achieved but also how and why it matters. Try to avoid over reliance on data or technical language: while facts and figures are essential, they should support a broader story that brings your achievements to life. 

Also, it’s important to remember that the judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate real-world results. It’s not enough to describe what you did; you need to show the difference it made and provide context to help the judges understand the significance of your accomplishments, using measurable outcomes wherever possible. One common mistake is to emphasise effort over results - while it’s important to acknowledge the hard work involved, the focus should be on the outcomes achieved. 

The little things that make all the difference

It’s time to face facts: a well-written and thoughtful entry can only get you so far. While a great entry can get you onto the shortlist, who wins the award is down to the judges (and their awareness of your business or activities) and how you stack up against the competition.

But there are a few small details that can make a big difference. For instance, don’t forget the supporting materials – images, testimonials, case studies, and so on can add depth to your submission and help to illustrate your points. And be sure to check the award website for information before you put your entry together: there may be entry kits or example entries you can review, for instance.

And of course, give yourself plenty of time to get your entry together. Rushed submissions are more likely to miss important points, so make sure you build in time for multiple reviews. A polished, carefully reviewed entry will always stand out over one that feels hurried. So, by taking the time to craft your submission (or asking SEC Newgate UK's content team to support you), you can maximise your chances of success and showcase your business at its best.