So, just why are awards good for your business?
1. Free Marketing
Not all awards are free to enter, but some are! Even if they aren’t free, the investment can form part of your marketing budget. There can be great publicity that comes from awards and some of that is certainly free. If you get coverage on radio, press or TV, it is often something that your business would not have afforded to buy. Social media coverage is also fantastic and can improve your following and online support. Take the opportunity to market your participation in the awards before, during and after the event.
2. Recognition
Even to be recognised as a “nominee”, “best of” or “winner”, the whole awards process is great recognition for your business. If you’re a business owner or indeed part of the award entry team, there is a great sense of achievement. Every business enjoys being recognised, so if you see your local coffee shop or restaurant calling upon its customers to nominate them…do it! Businesses appreciate the support of your nomination.
3. Seal of Approval
The award or accreditation can be a seal of approval for your business. Even the nomination can be a seal of approval. There is often branding that comes from the award or accreditation that you can use on your website, social media and email signature. Sometimes this seal of approval can be what differentiates you from your competitors. It may even provide your business with a further Unique Selling Point (USP).
4. Networking Opportunity
Awards and accreditation ceremonies often provide great networking opportunities. Particularly if your business is in the B2B space, time invested in networking will eventually be rewarded in sales. Face to face networking opportunities are the best. Business is done with other businesses that you know, like and trust. Use the networking opportunity well.
5. Profile
The awards and accreditation process can work wonders for your business profile. Use the content of the awards process before, during and after on your social media, blog about it and update the content on your website to include it. The receipt of an award can provide a business with the profile they need to win contracts and tenders and to create new business opportunities.
So, after all of that, did we mention that we are immensely proud to receive accreditation from the All-Ireland Business All-Star Foundation for Thought Leadership in Digital and Strategic Marketing?! Jill Lush, the owner of Lush Marketing has been recognised for her Thought Leadership in this area.
Business All-Star accredited companies are defined as; progressive, indigenous Irish businesses which meet the highest standards of verified performance, trust and customer centricity. In achieving this accreditation we join a unique group of businesses and we believe this continues to demonstrate our commitment to improving our service to our customers and suppliers.
The three pillars of All-Ireland Business All-Star accreditation are Performance, Trust and Customer Centricity.
We would like to thank our customers for the glowing references that they provided independently to the Foundation. We’re so grateful for the time and effort that everybody has put in for us to receive this great achievement.