5 Reasons Why Winning Awards in Marketing, Advertising, and PR Matters
There’s no doubt about it—receiving positive feedback for a job well done feels great. But winning awards isn’t just about the accolade; awards can be a powerful tool to set your brand apart from competitors. This is especially important in marketing, advertising, and public relations (PR) where public perception can make or break a brand's reputation.
Are you looking for a competitive edge? Whether you have one award or dozens, here are some of the most common reasons why winning awards in marketing, advertising, and PR can be good for business.
Establish Credibility and Build Trust
Many factors in business contribute to building credibility and trust: customer service, quality products and services, understanding your target audience on a deeper level, sharing similar values, and having a fair price point are just a few of them. But have you considered how winning awards can position your company as a credible and trustworthy business?
It’s true. Winning awards in your specific industry can serve as a source of validation that your business’s success is a direct result of your level of expertise. In turn, you can establish credibility and build trust within your organization, community, and industry overall. The greater credibility your business has, the better you are perceived by the public. When consumers see your business as someone they can trust and rely on, they are much more likely to become loyal customers and provide word-of-mouth advertising. This is great news for your business since approximately 59% of consumers in America claim once they become loyal to a brand, they are loyal for life.
2. Increase Brand Awareness
When your brand wins an award, it is a form of free exposure and publicity. It can give you more visibility and recognition within your community—and beyond. As an award recipient, your name will appear in the award program and any other publication or marketing materials. You may also directly benefit from the advertising, sponsorships, and social media coverage for the event. This will give you direct access to a larger audience and increase your networking opportunities and brand awareness.
Plus, building brand awareness is essential to differentiating your company from its competitors. Today’s business landscape is diverse and it’s common for consumers to feel overwhelmed by the number of companies they have to choose from. However, the stronger your brand reputation is, the greater the chance you have to stand out as a trusted industry leader.
3. Boost Employee Motivation and Retention
It feels good to be recognized for the hard work you do. Winning accolades in your industry is so much more than receiving a cool-looking trophy or plaque that will later be displayed in your office or lobby—it’s a chance to boost morale in the office and unify your team members for a common goal. Employees experience a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which can drastically improve motivation, performance, and employee retention. After all, who wouldn’t want to work for an award-winning company?
4. Provide Social Proof and Generate New Customers
Another benefit to winning awards in your specific industry is the social proof you gain. Social proof is all about validating your thoughts and actions by people copying other’s behavior. When potential clients learn you have won awards in your field and are respected as an industry leader, they gain more confidence in what you have to offer.
As you apply for different awards, many of the required documents needed for submission also serve as social proof, such as case studies, testimonials, client reviews, social media posts, metrics, and more. The more social proof you have, the better your chances are of generating new business and growing your customer base.
5. Increased Business = Higher Revenue Generation
As you gain greater credibility and trust, boost your brand awareness, improve employee morale and retention, and build social proof, the opportunities for increased revenue become higher. In addition, with all of these benefits falling into place, you can strongly position yourself in the market and garner more attention. Small award-winning businesses have reported seeing up to a 63% increase in revenue and a 48% increase for larger businesses.
Want to Win Awards? Here’s How You Can Get Started
If you’re ready to pursue awards in marketing, advertising, or PR, it’s best to take a strategic approach and plan appropriately. Your time and money are valuable. To help you maximize your efforts and get the best results, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Look for awards that are specific to your industry. This will improve your chances of winning by highlighting your accomplishments in areas that are relevant to you. Choosing industry-specific awards also positions you as an expert in the field and gets you in front of the right audience.
Actively pursue awards that play to your strengths. While your business may be great at many things, focus on your strongest services and accomplishments. For example, if your company has phenomenal customer service and is known for building genuine relationships with its customers, look for awards that recognize top-notch customer service.
Review the criteria closely. Take time to carefully review the award criteria. Each award is different. The more familiar you are with the specific details, requirements, and what the judges are looking for, the better prepared you will be. Reviewing the criteria ahead of time will also help you determine whether a specific award is right for you, and allocate the time needed to assemble all of the documentation required to apply.
Gather your evidence. More often than not, awards require specific metrics and documentation to demonstrate your business’s success. Pay close attention to the requirements so you can feel confident that you have provided everything the judging panel will need. This is also a great time to assemble case studies and collect client testimonials.
Meet deadlines. Once you identify which awards you want to apply for, be sure to make note of important dates and submission deadlines. Leave yourself plenty of time to get everything completed, organized, and submitted. Also, be sure to look ahead at your calendar to ensure you can attend the award ceremony.
For more information on how to apply for top marketing awards, check out The Only Guide You Need to Apply for (and Win) Top Marketing Awards.
Ready to take your content marketing to award-winning heights? Schedule your free 20-minute consultation today and learn how Comma can help you on your path to success.