From submission to spotlight: SE10’s guide to winning awards

Winning an industry award is more than just a trophy on the shelf — it’s a powerful PR tool that can elevate your brand’s credibility and visibility. At SE10, we’ve helped countless clients craft award-winning entries, from standout campaigns to innovative products, and we know what it takes to create a winning submission.

Awards are a cornerstone of a well-rounded PR program, providing opportunities to amplify your achievements and secure additional publicity.

Check out our insider tips for writing a compelling entry and leveraging award wins to drive even greater recognition for your brand.

How to nail the award submission:

  1. Plan ahead: Award entries take a lot of time and careful consideration. Don’t leave them until the last minute — approach them seriously and pay close attention to detail.

  1. Collaborate closely: When we’re entering on behalf of a client, close collaboration is essential. While we provide guidance and help craft a compelling narrative, our clients often invest time in gathering relevant information as well.

  1. Provide compelling evidence: Anyone can say their product or campaign is the best, but evidence is the key to backing it up. Claims need to be supported by data, customer testimonials and real-life examples that showcase success and impact. Highlight prestigious and newsworthy examples to capture the judges’ attention, such as partnerships with professional sports teams, contributions to national memorials or involvement in impactful conservation projects. These high-profile instances add credibility and elevate your submission.

  1. Clarify technical terms: Explain any industry-specific terms or acronyms and provide context for why the product or campaign is significant. The jury may not be familiar with the product or field, so context is important.

  1. Use high-quality visuals: Make the most of opportunities to submit high-quality supporting materials like PowerPoint presentations, infographics, videos and other visual assets that can strengthen your case.
 

The journey doesn’t end when you’ve clinched the trophy. To truly maximize the value of your achievement, it’s crucial to follow up with a strategic plan to promote your success.

How to promote your award win:

  1. Display the award logo with pride: Many awarding bodies provide a logo or badge for winners. Feature this prominently on your website, in email signatures, across marketing materials or even your office signage (as we did for our Queen’s Award for Enterprise win in London!). Consistent visibility keeps your achievement top of mind for customers, employees and other business partners, reinforcing the quality it represents.

  1. Celebrate on social media: Leverage social media to amplify your success. Share eye-catching posts across relevant platforms with visuals like the award trophy, team celebrations or images of the winning product or campaign. Don’t forget to use the award’s hashtag and tag the awarding body to expand your reach!

  1. Make a splash with a press release: Announce your award win targeting key media outlets in your industry. Highlight what the win means for your company and how it reflects your commitment to excellence.

  1. Turn it into a story: Go beyond the press release! Consider opportunities for interviews or thought leadership pieces tied to your win. For instance, you could share lessons learned or discuss broader industry trends showcased by your project. This positions your company as a leader and an expert in your field.

  1. Engage your team: Finally, don’t forget to celebrate internally to boost team morale and recognize contributions! Share the news with your colleagues and highlight their role in the success. A proud, motivated team is your greatest asset!
 

Ready to deliver your own award-winning communication? Get in touch with SE10 to see how our expert storytelling, strategic thinking and creative execution can elevate your next project.

Damian Joseph

By Damian Joseph

Vice President

About the author

Damian is a partner at SE10, a London-based public relations firm with offices in London, Chicago and Singapore. He works as an international media strategist and uses his experience to help clients deliver communications strategies, creative programming and compelling stories that connect with stakeholders on intellectual and emotional levels. Before moving into PR, Damian was a business journalist who specialized in innovation, technology and design. He was one of the youngest staff writers in Businessweek history and a contributor to Fast Company. He earned his master’s degree from Northwestern University.