Achieved something that you’re proud of?

Then enter this year’s UK Marketing Awards.

If you get nominated, shortlisted and/or win, the whole process will boost your brand profile.

Never underestimate the power of being nominated for an award—it can boost your brand awareness and raise your business profile with new customers.

And winning throws open the doors to yet more new business and contacts.

Awards benefit everyone involved, including employees. They ramp up morale and motivation as the feel-good factor ripples through the ranks.

Entering for awards takes up valuable resources so it pays to weigh this against what would be gained. Cash is always good but other perks can really benefit your business too, such as coaching, advice and workshops.

Want proof that entering for an award is good for your business? Here are the top reasons why…

Buckshee marketing

Let’s hear it for subliminal marketing! As mentioned, just being nominated/shortlisted is free marketing to a whole host of new customers. And if you win...

Capitalise on your PR exposure by stamping that award logo on all your marketing material—your website, content, business cards, email, literature, social media and sales stuff.

The whole process celebrates the hard work behind your success and showcases your achievement. Importantly, awards can be a gateway to new contracts, supply channels and cracking new markets.

Benchmarking

This is a subtle one. Applying to enter a business award can help you look at your business from a different angle. It can also highlight how you compare with your competitors.

It will make you focus on how to stand out from this competition—like you never have before.

Are you more innovative? Has your business grown in leaps and bounds? Is your customer service just the best? Have you invested in your people? Your strategic thinking?

This will highlight what you are best at/have achieved and what may need improving. This is an invaluable exercise in itself.

Increased kudos

Whether you win, are shortlisted or nominated, a business award is a third-party endorsement that cannot be denied. You can make it part of your sales pitch and it’s also a seal of approval for possible customers and existing suppliers.

Proud employees

Awards celebrate the efforts of your employees so expect to see their morale and motivation rocket. They see what’s great about your company and it gives them something to be proud of.

Hold a meeting, have some sort of do to show your appreciation. Better still, invite them to the awards ceremony or dinner-dance. Not only a good night out but a great opportunity for networking too.

Talent attractor

Business awards attract talent. If you're up there as the best, expect to pull in—and keep—the best. Just what you need to help your business grow.

Whatever size your business you qualify to enter a business award.

There’s a staggering array of awards out there—from local to national.

So, to make it easy for you, check out this List of UK Marketing Awards, PR Awards, Event Awards and Advertising Awards.

Featuring all of The Drum Awards, B2B Marketing Awards, The Marketing Week Masters Awards, DMA Awards, UK Search Awards, D&AD Awards and Women in Marketing Awards among many others.

It also includes all the most credible PR awards and Event Awards such as The CIPR Excellence Awards, PRweek Best Place to Work, The PRCA Awards and The Campaign Experience Awards.