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January 22, 2025

Audacious Agency

Unlock Your Award Success: Professional Tips for Writing Award-Winning Entries

Imagine your name flashing across the screen, the trophy gleaming in your hands, and the roar of applause echoing in your ears. Winning awards can skyrocket your business or personal brand to new heights, but crafting a winning entry isn't always easy.

Many talented individuals and businesses stumble when faced with the blank page of an award application. They know they have a great story to tell, but how do they translate that into an award-winning submission?

This is your guide to unlocking award success, with expert tips and insider insights from our professional award writers to help your entry stand out from the competition.

Deciphering the Code

Before you even put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!), the most crucial step is to understand the award criteria thoroughly. Think of it as a treasure map; it guides you to the hidden gems the judges are seeking. Don't just skim through the questions – analyse them!

What are the keywords they use? What values are they emphasising? For example, if the award focuses on innovation, you will need to highlight how your work breaks barriers and offers unique solutions.

Action Step:

Grab a highlighter and mark up those keywords! Then, brainstorm how your achievements align with those specific areas. Consider what evidence you have in terms of impact or results, case studies or projects that demonstrate your innovation.

Weaving Your Winning Narrative

Judges are human, and humans love stories. Dryly listing your achievements won't captivate them. Instead, you should weave a compelling narrative that draws them in and makes them root for you. Think of it as a mini-movie: start with the problem you faced, or the problem the community, industry or sector has, introduce your innovative solution, and then showcase the positive impact you’ve created.

Tip

Don't be afraid to inject emotion into your story. Let the judges feel the passion behind your work and the dedication that drove your success.

Action Step:

Think back to a project you're truly proud of. What challenges did you overcome? What impact did you create? Write down the key points of the story, then refine it into a concise and engaging narrative.

The "No-No" List: What NOT to Include

Just as there are key ingredients for a winning entry, there are also elements that can sabotage your chances. Think of these as the "villains" of your award narrative – the things you want to banish from your submission.

Jargon: While you might be an expert in your field, the judges might not be. Avoid using technical terms or industry-specific language that could leave them scratching their heads. Instead, opt for clear, concise language that everyone can understand.

Irrelevant Information: Stay focused on the award criteria and avoid going off on tangents or including information that doesn't directly support your claims. Remember, judges have limited time, and you want to keep them engaged with your core message.

Verbose Language: Therefore, Additionally, And as a conclusion, In the ever-changing world of…all phrases that are not only unnecessary in an award entry, they also indicate your award entry has been written by ChatGPT.

Negativity and Vagueness: Focus on your achievements and positive impact. Avoid negative language or dwelling on past failures. An optimistic and confident tone will create a much stronger impression. Avoid using the phrase ‘We believe’ or words like numerous. Award entries are not about marketing your mission, it’s about sharing the facts and making it clear to the judges what you are doing and why you are doing it. It’s better to be more confident in your language than hesitant and humble - get the judges on your side, but don't fall for the pity-party trap - no one wins a consolation prize.

Action Step:

Review your entry draft with a critical eye (you might even get someone else to read it). Have you used any jargon, or verbose language or included irrelevant information? Is the overall tone positive and inspiring? Can you replace vague language with more confident phrases such as ‘we consider’ or ‘we know that’ and specific %, $ or other metrics?  If not, revise and refine until your entry shines.

AI: Friend or Foe in the Award Writing World?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising many industries, including copy writing and award writing is no exception. But is AI a magic wand that guarantees a win, or is it a potential pitfall that could lead to disaster?

AI as Your Helpful Assistant

AI writing tools can be incredibly valuable for tasks like:

  • Research and repurposing: You can share documents with AI, and in some cases enable it to access your files, so that you waste less time trawling through documents to find the juicy metrics or information, and more time writing and editing a compelling award entry.
  • Grammar and Style Checking: AI can catch those pesky typos and grammatical errors that might slip past your human eye, ensuring your entry is polished and professional.
  • Clarity and Conciseness: AI can help you refine your writing, cutting down on word count, summarising and suggesting more concise phrasing and ensuring your message is crystal clear.
  • Generating Ideas: Some AI tools can help you brainstorm ideas or overcome writer's block, providing a spark of inspiration when you need it most.

The Importance of the Human Touch

While AI can be a powerful ally, it's crucial to remember that award entries require authenticity and a human touch. AI should be used as an assistant, not a replacement for your unique voice and insights. Think of Ai not as a tool, but having an intern at your desk - you need to properly brief them, guide them and check their work!

Action Step:

Explore different AI writing tools and experiment with their features. Identify how they can best support your writing process, but always remember to infuse your entry with your own personality and expertise. At  The Audacious Agency, we use Gemini, linked with Google Workspace, which cuts down on researching and ensures we have the most recent information on our client's business, achievements and IP, however, there is no way we would simply create a prompt and leave it up to AI to do the writing!

Case Study

Matt Alderton, founder of the BX networking group and the BX Awards, once told me that, as an award judge for major national business awards, he has seen an increasing trend in which award entries are written in full by AI. In some cases, the entrants have even left in the AI prompts! He said that opening statements such as “In the fast-paced world of…” and excessive use of dot points is a clear indicator that the entrant has taken almost zero responsibility for their award entry. This is not all bad news, because, if you use AI well, and maintain the quality of your award writing, you can easily stand out from a sea of Ai also-rans.

Finding Your Voice: Language and Tone

Think of your award entry as a conversation with the judges. How do you want to come across? Professional yet approachable? Confident yet humble? Your choice of language and tone plays a crucial role in creating the right impression.

Tips for Award-Winning Language and Tone

  • Clarity is King: Use clear, concise language, avoiding jargon and overly complex sentences. You want your entry to be easily understood by all judges, regardless of their specific expertise
  • Active Voice for Impact: Write in an active voice to make your entry more dynamic and engaging. For example, instead of saying "The award was won by our company," say "Our company won the award."
  • Confidence, Not Arrogance: Project confidence in your achievements, but avoid sounding arrogant or boastful. Let your results speak for themselves, supported by a positive and assured tone.

Action Step:

Read your entry aloud, paying attention to the flow and rhythm of your language. Does it sound natural and conversational? If not, revise and refine until it feels like a confident and engaging dialogue with the judges.

Time Traveling for Success: Tense

Believe it or not, the tense you use in your award entry can make a big difference. It's like time travelling – you need to choose the right tense to accurately reflect your achievements and ongoing activities.

Past, Present, and Future

  • Past Tense for Triumphs: Use the past tense to describe your accomplishments and the impact you've already created. For example, "Our project increased sales by 20%."
  • Present Tense for Ongoing Impact: Use the present tense for activities that are still ongoing or for statements that are always true. For example, "Our company is committed to sustainability."
  • Future Tense with Caution: Use the future tense sparingly, primarily when discussing your future goals or aspirations. The focus of your entry should be on your past achievements and present capabilities.
  • When To Use First and Third Person: As a rule, when the questions ask for your insight, describing your success or achievements, you should use first person - we, I , us, our etc. If the question asks for the organisation description or outlining the business achievements, you should use third party - The company, they, their

Action Step:

Review your entry and check the tense used in each sentence. Does it accurately reflect the timeline of your achievements and activities? Are you flicking from one tense to another making it difficult to follow or read or does it have consistent tenses throughout? If not, make the necessary adjustments to ensure clarity and consistency.

The Word Count Conundrum

Word count limits in award entries can feel like a tightrope walk – you need to convey a powerful message while staying within the boundaries. But don't despair! With careful planning and editing, you can master the art of concise storytelling.

Tips for Taming the Word Count

  • Plan Your Structure: Before you start writing, outline the key points you want to cover in each section. This will help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary tangents.
  • Prioritise Ruthlessly: Not all information is created equal. Prioritise the most impactful details and cut anything that doesn't directly support your core message.
  • Embrace the Power of Editing: Don't be afraid to cut, condense, and refine your writing. Often, you can express the same idea in fewer words with greater impact.
  • Contractions and Conjunctions: Reduce word count by contracting words such as ‘we are’ to we’re and drop the overused conjunctions such as but, not only, because etc.

Action Step:

Review your entry and identify any areas where you can tighten up the language or eliminate unnecessary words. Can you combine sentences? Can you replace weak verbs with stronger ones? With practice, you'll become a master of concise and impactful writing.

Metrics That Matter: Showcasing Your Impact

Numbers tell a powerful story. In award entries, metrics are your secret weapon to showcase the impact of your work and demonstrate the tangible results you've achieved. If you want to win, you need to not only tell the judges what you are doing, you need to show them!

Tips for Using Metrics Effectively

  • Choose the Right Metrics: Select metrics relevant to the award criteria and demonstrate the positive outcomes of your work. This could include sales figures, customer satisfaction scores, website traffic, or social media engagement. If you are at an early stage, it might simply be the data from the sector, industry or community you are developing a solution for, so you have empirical evidence to back up your reasoning.
  • Present Data Visually: Use charts, graphs, and other visuals to present your metrics in a clear and engaging way. Visuals make data more accessible and memorable for judges.
  • Tell the Story Behind the Numbers: Don't just list statistics – explain what they mean and why they matter. Connect your metrics to the bigger picture of your achievements and the impact you've created.

Action Step:

Review your entry and identify opportunities to incorporate metrics that support your claims. Can you quantify your achievements in a more compelling way? Can you use visuals in your support document to make your data more impactful? By strategically using metrics, you can strengthen your entry and demonstrate the true value of your work.

Case Study

For example, Katie Joy, The Global Butterfly, won a Gold Stevie Award for coach of the year the very first time she entered any awards. Coaching in itself is a field where results are intangible, they might be better communication, confidence or self-worth. Because Katie had kept track of her clients goals and recorded their success using real metrics such as increased revenue, a pay rise, partnership success etc, we were able to demonstrate her impact clearly to the judges. You don’t have to have metrics from your impact though, you can use the empirical evidence of your value as well. Kimberly Summer won a gold Stevie Award for a concept she hadn’t even launched - the entry outlined the problem of gender pay gaps and how her innovative approach would change the lives of so many women in corporate roles. Metrics were gathered from research and the judges couldn’t ignore the profound impact her innovative approach would have.

The Final Polish: Re-reading and Refining Your Answers

You've poured your heart and soul into answering those award application questions, but don't hit the submit button just yet! Take a step back, grab a cup of tea (or something stronger!), and revisit your answers with a fresh perspective.

Why Re-reading is Crucial

  • Catch those sneaky typos: Even the most eagle-eyed writers can miss typos or grammatical errors. Re-reading helps you catch those little gremlins that could undermine your credibility.
  • Ensure clarity and conciseness: Sometimes, when we're in the writing zone, we can get carried away with long sentences or complex phrasing. Re-reading allows you to refine your language and ensure your answers are crystal clear and to the point.
  • Check for consistency and alignment: As you re-read, make sure your answers are consistent with each other and align with the overall narrative of your entry. Have you emphasised the same key points throughout? Have you avoided contradictions or inconsistencies?
  • Confirm you've answered the question: It sounds obvious, but it's easy to get sidetracked when writing. Re-reading helps you confirm that you've directly and comprehensively answered each question, addressing all the key points the judges are looking for.

Action Step:

Put your entry aside for a day or two, then come back to it with fresh eyes - this is why we always suggest you have at least 2-3 weeks before the award closes to write and submit your entry - Judges can spot a rushed entry a mile away! Read it aloud, paying attention to the flow and clarity of your answers. Are there any areas where you can improve the language or tighten up the structure? Re-reading and refining your answers is the final polish that can make your entry truly shine.

Award Writing is an art form.

Crafting an award-winning entry is an art, but it's an art that can be mastered with the right tools and techniques. By following our professional award writer tips you can unlock award success and elevate your brand, business or personal profile to new heights.

Remember, the journey to winning awards starts with understanding the criteria, crafting a compelling narrative, and using language and metrics effectively. And if you need expert assistance along the way, our team of professional award writers is here to help you achieve your goals.

Feeling overwhelmed and just wish there was a group of professional award writers who could do it for you?

CONTACT US today to learn more about how we can help you enter, win and leverage awards to build credibility and visibility, with an award winning profile.

The Audacious Award Winning Workbook

Everything you need to leverage your award including crafting an awesome acceptance speech, leveraging checklist, award story ideas, hero story template, leveraging opportunities and a marketing action plan.

Audacious Agency


Are you are doing something impactful, innovative or incredible and you’re tired of being the world’s best kept secret?

The Audacious Agency is here to help you achieve the recognition you deserve. As award writing specialists and profile building experts, we empower entrepreneurs and business owners to become visible, credible, and profitable.

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