Earning Recognition: 5 Tips for Winning Small Business Awards

Small businesses are the foundation of the U.S. economy. According to a recent survey, the U.S. has 30 million small businesses which make up 99.9% of all companies. These small businesses employ a total of 47% of all workers in the US.

When entrepreneurs establish their businesses, they do so for many reasons. They include pursuing one’s passion, making profits and creating jobs. As time goes by, the small business will grow. To stay ahead of your competition, you need to do something different.

Small business awards are coveted American awards that can help you attract customers. They can enhance your brand’s credibility and make you a leader in your niche. But how do you get one?

In this article, we discuss 5 tips for winning small business awards.

Do Your Research

Before applying for the coveted small business awards, take your time to research. Start with Google, then the Chamber of Commerce and local business development authority. Try to find what awards are available and how they impact your business.

Are they the best fit for your small businesses? Are they reputable? Can the award help you gain national awareness?

Make Your Application Stand Out

Every year, small business award organizers receive many applications. In one category, you might find that there are over 100,000 applicants. To stand out, your application should highlight your unique selling points.

Don’t copy and paste your business goals and mission statement in the application form. Take your time to tell your unique story.

How did you start your business? What challenges did you face? How did you overcome them? What have you learned so far? What is your business culture?

Always Follow All Instructions

A lot of small business award applicants fail to follow instructions. This leads to failure as the judges will disqualify the applicant. To ensure that your application is considered, follow all the instructions.

That includes submitting the application before the deadline and label everything carefully. Doing this gives you an edge against other applicants.

Enlist the Help of Your Team

To improve your chances of winning the best business awards, you need to enlist the help of your team. They can gather information such as customer testimonials. They can also help you create a presentation that inspires, informs and motivates.

This will make your application stand out. Remember, if you win an award, don’t forget to recognize and thank the team in your speech.

Promote the Awards

Thanks to social media, you can now give some online love to the award organizations. To do so, use branded hashtags and tag the SBA awards organization in your posts. Promoting the awards will create awareness in your community. In case there is polling, your community will come forward and support you to get the award.

Getting Small Business Awards

The return on investment for small business awards is great. All you have to do is research, fulfill all the requirements and follow the instructions. Not only will your business get recognized but it will put you ahead of your competition. This helps you attract high paying customers.

Want to gain publicity by winning a small business award? Talk to us today!