Have you ever wanted to win business awards to boost credibility? The good news is that making submissions to recognition programs is easier than you may think. In addition, winning awards can bring a whole host of benefits to you and your business, along with brand visibility.
Make 2025 the year you won a prestigious prize! This explainer shows how, from beginning to end.
Unlock the benefits of winning and take your business to the next level
There are many reasons to nominate yourself and your business for recognition programs, but perhaps the most important is the effect winning has on prospective customers.
When a company has earned a prestigious award, media mentions follow and people take notice. These accolades significantly boost your credibility, increase visibility, and differentiate you from the pack. They provide evidence that your venture does such good work that it has earned the approval of an independent jury, committee, or accreditation team. If the award involved a public vote, then your business’s popularity can also enhance your credibility.
When a business has won an award, people naturally want to try their product or service. For instance, Forbes reports that, upon winning two awards for their artisanal Vodka and Gin, Brancaster Drinks experienced a remarkable uptick in sales.
“People who already knew the brand and previously would buy one bottle suddenly began buying two, while the number of new customers also increased,” one of the founders says. “The run rate for our gin has doubled since winning the award.”
Indeed, researchers at Swansea University have found that earning awards often leads to both short-term and long-term advantages. “In the short term, enterprises benefited in terms of enhanced brand identity in their business network and community,” they write. “This resulted in enhanced sales revenue and enterprise profile. Moreover, internally, winning an award acted as a motivator for enterprise employees, enhancing their productivity and attitudes towards the business. In the longer term, these factors became less apparent, but the majority of respondents continued to exploit their business award for ongoing strategic advantage.” In other words, team morale improved while the companies gained brand recognition and revenue increased.
Sound good? Let’s get started getting you the acknowledgment you deserve! The first step is finding the right ones to apply for.
Find prestigious business awards that fit your brand
Do a Google search on business awards, and you’ll probably find yourself overwhelmed. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. While it might seem daunting to wade through the many awards, having so many programs and organizations available means there will be multiple options for gaining recognition, even in a crowded marketplace.
One common-sense place to begin is with your own local chamber of commerce. These organizations usually have an annual awards program to recognize outstanding achievements in your own business community. Another good thing about starting small is that it gives you the best chances of success.
In addition, even if you don’t win, just attending the awards ceremony can help you connect with other industry leaders and industry professionals in your immediate vicinity. You can also make a point of meeting the award winners, both past and present. This kind of networking solidifies your position and opens up new doors.
Another good way to start is to ask yourself what accomplishments you, your individual team members, your team as a whole, and your business have completed in the past year. Then look for awards that would celebrate achievements like these. For instance, if your business launched innovative marketing campaigns, then you might consider marketing awards. Depending on their content, you might also be eligible for awards in advertising or PR. There are even special programs just for new businesses.
Many organizations offer multiple categories of prizes, shining the spotlight on achievements across various parts of business. Explore topics and regions, looking for the right prize to overlap with what you have to offer. Where do you excel: customer experience, public service, entrepreneurship? Whatever it is, there’s sure to be competitions.
The next step is to understand the nomination and application processes.
Elevate your understanding of the application process
Don’t wait for someone else to nominate you and your business — to be considered for an award, it’s often necessary to submit an application yourself. While some small business owners may struggle to toot their own proverbial horn, the truth is that you can only hope for external validation if you validate yourself and your team first.
If you find it easier to serve others than to stand up for your own good, then think of applying for these honors to boost employee morale. Merely applying for an award shows your internal team that you believe in them and consider their hard work to be worthy of local, regional, national, and international recognition. Even if you don’t end up winning, knowing you are proud of their achievements can motivate them to reach for — and attain — even greater heights.
Assemble an effective application to win awards
Assembling an effective application is much like developing a successful marketing strategy. Winning applications tend to offer the judges everything they are looking for plus an extra X-factor.
That’s why it’s important to put time and energy into each application. Some businesses even assign the task to a team member, who becomes responsible for finding appropriate awards and submitting applications to them.
In general, the best applications feature evidence of the business’s excellence. This can take the form of sales numbers or other relevant numerical data. Testimonials from happy clients can also buttress your brand’s credibility in the eyes of decision makers. Stories of your product or service’s transformative effects can also move judges to vote in your favor.
Finally, don’t forget to get your application in before the deadline!
Leverage the power of awards: Small businesses earn customer trust and unleash business growth
Attract new customers and make your current client base proud. Boost your business by nominating it for awards. Earning these accolades is a great way to stand out in a crowded market and get the attention you deserve, so make a point of nominating your business for awards in 2025.