There are many women around BC who are making a big impact in their communities! Awards can be an excellent way to step up, gain recognition for your hard work and grow your business or career.
The WEB Alliance has compiled a list of awards for women in various roles and industries around BC and across Canada. You may also wish to check with your Chamber of Commerce, women in business network or industry association.
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Submit an Award
Here are some resources to help you strengthen your award nomination and leverage the opportunity. Do you have a great resource that has helped you? Let us know!
The nomination process may look overwhelming at first, but submitting your story does not need to be a daunting task. You can keep a file with photographs, videos, testimonials, articles, newsletters or brochures throughout the year so that you have the supporting materials ready when you need them. Engage your employees, colleagues and customers in the nomination process.
Awards are a key part of your marketing strategy. They help you get external validation and can be a game-changer when being considered for a board position. Even if you think there is little chance of winning the award, apply anyways if it’s an award you qualify for. There is huge value in going through the process. At the end, you will have a body of work that will help you apply for other awards or that can used to promote your business.
Tap into the people you’ve met through the many women’s business networks if you want someone to nominate you for an award. The WEB Alliance is a good source of networks to start with. If your employer is the nominator, talk to your HR department, a colleague or your supervisor if you want to be nominated.
Ensure that you fit the category you are applying for. For example, if you are young, award categories for future leaders are a good fit. Once you‘ve decided on a category, tailor your application to the questions in that category.
The judges want to hear your story and your voice. Bring forth your uniqueness and what differentiates you from others. Telling an authentic story will make you stand out. People can connect to overcoming adversity or realizing on a vision. Write as if you’re speaking directly to one of the judges, or writing them a letter.
Acknowledge your accomplishments and create a clear message to convey your achievements. This is your opportunity, so don’t undervalue yourself.
Talk to someone who has submitted an award nomination to get tips and suggestions. Check your submission for grammatical errors, typos and oversights. If English is not your first language, consider getting it edited.
Organize your nomination form and address each question clearly. The judges usually work on a point matrix. Don’t miss out by submitting inadequate information. Don’t be confused by the similarity of questions, try to understand what it’s getting at.
Pay attention to what is being asked in the application. Take the time to read each question and think about what the judges are looking for. Schedule time to complete your application professionally. Pay attention to maximum word count.
Even if you do not win, ask for feedback from the organization and judges. It will help improve your chances next time. Keep on trying. Once you have completed one application, it is easy to fine tune and copy and paste for other award nominations.
Nominations and awards are opportunities to celebrate. You can get lots of mileage even if you do not win. Use press releases and social media to spread the word. Leverage your nomination by using it in your communication with clients and other stakeholders.