Win a Business Award: Strategies to Elevate Your Small Business

Many entrepreneurs and small business owners cherish the same dream and have the following item on their bucket list: “Win a business award.” For good reason. Companies that earn such honors can expect to flourish long into the future. Indeed, few strategies are more effective to elevate your small business.

How your business wins with business awards

Winning an award, especially a prestigious one, puts your business in the limelight. The mission of small business awards is to support small businesses as well as recognize and celebrate the very best. These programs and organizations are designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners raise the profile of their ventures and build credibility. Awards increase awareness of a particular company’s contributions to its local community and beyond.

When you earn one of these accolades, it shows that you really are the best, and a committee of independent judges or the voting public agrees. Even the most skeptical customers perceive that your marketing messages have a basis in fact. Evidence exists of your outstanding accomplishments due to the trophy in your front window, the certificate on your door, or the laurel wreath that decorates your website. Due to heightened brand awareness, potential clients become interested in your products and services. Consequently, businesses with awards often see revenue increase as new orders flood in. 

Another way winning business awards can help your business is by making your staff feel proud to work for you. A recent study shows that employee morale improves with a win, leading to a boon for human resources and a strong company culture. These awards attract talent as well — almost everyone wants to work at the most prestigious company of its kind.

Want to get started? Here are three strategies to consider that can help get you and your team recognized for excellence.

Strategy #1: There’s no try — do

Businesses that aren’t nominated for awards can’t win. That’s why there’s no substitute for taking a deep breath, trying your best to draft a winning application, and submitting it.

The good news is that even if you don’t win this year, just participating in these competitions can be impactful. Depending on the particular awards program, it may have a networking component that can connect your staff and business to other prominent members of your small business community. This is a great way to meet possible business partners while taking your place as a business leader at the same time.

For these reasons, it’s even a good idea to click “submit” on an application you fear is less than perfect.

Strategy #2: To win, business award applications should be treated like applying for work

All too many business owners treat applying for awards as an optional extra and attempt to do it in their spare time. This is a great way to fail.

The truth is that it takes time and effort to create a strong application. In other words, applying for these awards constitutes work. Substantial research and expertise in crafting persuasive messages are necessary. It should, therefore, be treated as such.

How? Block out some hours on your calendar when you can’t be disturbed. Use this time to do your research and discover awards specific to your type of business. Then, block out some more time to actually work on the applications themselves.

Alternatively, consider assigning the task to someone on your team. Just remember — don’t expect them to do this project in their spare time, either. Make sure they have the time and resources to dedicate to completing this project effectively. 

Strategy #3: Start small and build

It’s not necessary to try to win International Entrepreneur of the Year on your very first attempt. Indeed, this approach isn’t even advisable.

Instead, start small. Nominating yourself, members of your team, or your business for local contests is a good starting point. Once you have proven your team’s high quality by netting honors like these, you can assert yourself more and more by applying for ever larger or more prestigious awards.

Another good way to start is to consider your company’s unique strengths. Do you provide exceptional customer service? Are you a pioneer in the realms of information technology or corporate social responsibility? Has your local marketing strategy led to unprecedented growth? Have you completed an innovative renovation of your physical retail store? Whatever major benchmarks your company has achieved in the past year, there’s probably a competition that seeks to acknowledge and appreciate it.

In addition, trade associations often host awards programs to spotlight outstanding contributors in their fields. For instance, there are industry awards specifically for media and entertainment, construction and energy, accounting and law, and many other sectors and professions. Research will give you a sense of the right contests to enter.

Garner media exposure and unleash business growth

Winning awards is a boon for businesses! They present a great publicity opportunity and give you the stamp of approval that resonates with consumers. Win an award, and your bottom line may improve. That’s why every small business person should make submitting their businesses for consideration a priority in 2025.