Awesome you’ve done it. You’ve pressed submit on your award application. The hard part is over. Right?
Well mostly. Without getting carried away, like making room on your desk for the award or daydreaming about your name being announced – let’s take a moment to think about how you can make the most of being named a finalist or winning the award.
The spotlight and glory of winning are going to be short lived unless you have a good plan in place.
Winning an award can and will open new doors and possibilities for you. But you need to be ready with your best foot forward to leverage the moment.
What does that mean exactly?
You need to create a mini marketing plan to get the most leverage out of your award submission.
Before we go any further – think about the people who already support you. If you can bring them on the journey with you from early as possible.
I don’t mean when you’ve just put the submission in but if you’ve been announced as a finalist, this is a good time to let them know.
You could do this by filming a Facebook Live or sending an email to your list telling them how excited you are, how thankful you are to your staff and the person who nominated you.
Be you. If you’re nervous about it – share it and let them know what happens next.
Take them on the journey all the way to the presentations (if you’re attending). This can be shared mainly on social media and can be as much fun as you want and what is suitable to your people.
For some it might be a fantastic idea to ask for feedback on which dress to wear, others it might be ideas of what to say in your speech.
On the day of the presentations share a photo or video about how you are feeling and then some photos whilst at the awards.
Don’t spend your whole time on social media because the idea is to be present, enjoy the moment but also to network.
To sum it up the lead up to the awards can be fantastic but after the announcement is when you are really going to start implementing.
Now the award presentations are finished – here are some ideas of what you can do to make the most of your finalist/winner status:
1. Post a FB Live video to your page and or group sharing your win and what impact it’s had so far – there is a range for a number of these, on the night and over the next few days.
2. Add the award logo to your marketing materials – some of the places you can consider are email signature, FB cover, website front page
3. Take the time to update all of your copy and add in “award winning“ – look at your about me page, bio and social media profiles
4. Write and distribute a press release to the media – depending on the level of award. Two of my friends were recently named the best business in their respective states for a national award. The angle here is local woman is one of the best in Australia.
That kind of story makes us all feel good.
You can look at your local publications and also think if there are industry press which may be relevant as well.
Stay away from the generic press release templates (journos can smell them a mile off) provided by the awards program.
Focus on the award as a stepping stone to telling your story or getting across the point on an issue, not just the win.
Or even better if you have a relationship with a journo already – give them a call or send an email.. Saying this really cool thing happened and I wanted to share the good news with you.
5. Make sure any pitches to the media or potential partnerships or grants include the award details.
6. Email your own list and let them know (even potential customers).
7. Share the news as a win in FB groups – what did you learn, what obstacles did you overcome.
8. If you’re on LinkedIn – this is a great spot to share award wins – other professionals really sit up and take notice of those who are doing well.
9. Display awards at your business or for those of us online (as part of your backdrop).
10. Write a blog sharing the win.
11. Use the win to pitch yourself for podcasts, guest blogs or articles and so on.
12. START THINKING OF THE NEXT AWARD YOU CAN ENTER!
Just remember the tone or way you share the award can determine whether people get on board with your excitement, so approach it from the celebrating your success point of view and use the win to open the door then tell your story.
If you want to enter an award and want to know what awards are out there I’ve created a FREE awards calendar for you to use. You can download it here.