Have you ever wondered how to win small business awards? Business owners of all kinds should nominate themselves, their teams, and their businesses for these awards, since obtaining them can unleash a panoply of advantages and accelerate their company’s growth.
Understanding small business awards
Many organizations, large and small, including local Chambers of Commerce and local newspapers or digital publications, hold annual competitions to determine which area businesses offer the best products and services.
Simply taking part in these contests can be a great way to improve your business’s name recognition, especially if the public is allowed to vote. Appearing on the ballot is a form of PR, after all. Think of it as a stealthy, organic form of online advertising or digital marketing. For this reason alone, many entrepreneurs follow an awards strategy as a routine part of doing business.
Participation is also a good idea because some of these recognition programs offer networking opportunities to candidates. This is a quick and easy way to connect to past winners and position yourself to make valuable new business contacts.
A study from the Journal of International Entrepreneurship and Innovation has also shown that submitting your team for an award can boost their morale. Everyone likes to feel valued and appreciated. Knowing that their small business owners felt their hard work and contributions were so valuable that they were nominated for an award gives them bragging rights. This promotes a healthy, positive company culture.
Businesses garner even more advantages when they win.
The benefits of winning: Business growth through word of mouth
When businesses win an award, the achievement does great things that increase brand awareness. First and foremost, the sponsoring organization usually delivers an official announcement of the victors on their website or with a press release.
This can then be picked up by members of the media, who become interested in telling the stories behind the successful businesses as well as any expert tips their entrepreneurs might be willing to share. The company itself can promote the win on its own website, as well as with a message to its email list. Hanging up posters on the ground in their establishment that mention the award is another effective way to get the word out. Including your award in your front window display can also draw people in. Customers themselves can spread the good news through word of mouth.
In short, earning an award unleashes a flood of positive publicity. At the same time, since these programs involve judging from independent committees or the public at large, emerging as the champion provides evidence of the business’s excellence. This goes a long way to building credibility and promoting consumers’ trust.
The aforementioned study also demonstrated that winning business awards often means an increase in sales. Companies that become award winners — or even honorable mention honorees — can expect a surge in interest, since everyone wants to sample the wares of award-winning businesses.
Winning awards through awards categories, explained
In addition to local awards programs, many national organizations exist that support small businesses across the country. These competitions usually offer many different categories of awards. Whether your business is B2B or B2C, there are sure to be options that would be appropriate. Do a quick Google search to look for awards that would be a good fit.
One of these top awards programs is the American Business Awards, which is one branch of the worldwide Stevie Awards. These awards honor businesses in nearly every industry, from PR firms and marketing agencies to tech companies and real estate brokerages. There are also awards that recognize the various parts of running a successful business, such as new product design, management, and human resources. The Stevies offer a special category of customer service awards as well. Awards are given for this program every year in June.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also names award winners during National Small Business Week, which takes place every year in May. This contest celebrates the best businesses and small business people in America. The prestige of this platform makes it one of the best business awards to apply for.
Attend award ceremonies and win an award in 2025!
Dream big; awards can help grow your business. If you want your business to get the recognition it deserves, then give your business the chance it needs. Nominate your business, team, and yourself today!
