Victoria Jefferies’ Post

It is Awards Season - Yippee! Here are some truth bombs for you on this holy Tuesday to help you get through the next month or two... 1. For those that won - remember - when in doubt - be humble. 2. You are judged according to the documents or information you provided, and based on a set of criteria - the judges will decide who the winner is. Just because you thought that you should have won, doesn't mean it is true and sometimes judges can make mistakes if inaccurate or false information has been provided... 3. If you win - go to town - tell everyone - it is a beautiful experience and one you should be proud of (unless you paid for it, then shame on you.) 4. If you didn't win - it doesn't mean you are a loser, it simply means, that you are not the right candidate for this year, try again next year. 5. No one really cares about your award - sad but true - so don't take it too personally - YOU should still be proud of it. 6. Awards do add to your reputation and credentials in some circles - so keep applying and winning or at least become a finalist. 7. Don't be a sour loser - there is always an important lesson to be learned from this experience - embrace it and become a better human being instead... 8. Don't ever buy an award - ever. There are many more people than you think - who do know which awards are purchased and which are earned. Earn your award. 9. For those of you not interested in awards - just smile and wave and add your little "Congratulations" comment - being nice doesn't cost a thing. Otherwise, switch off from socials for the next month or so to avoid it altogether. 10. Have an awesome day - Peace out,x #awards

Why you should enter awards! Up until last year, I had never entered awards (it's just not my thing and so many awards seemed to be popularity contests...). But last year, I finally decided to enter an award. And guess what? That was by far THE best thing I had done all year. Wanna know what made me enter? Check out my latest blog post on my website. ps: if you're thinking of entering an award, stop holding yourself back and JUST DO IT! #enterawards #letsgetvisible #personalbrandingphotographer

Have you got an awards strategy? Most companies I know are very reactive when applying for awards within their industry. They are good to have, but companies do not consider them until someone approaches them to submit for a particular award. If they are lucky, they do end up winning that award. But most of the time, the submission does not result in a win. But the fact is that most companies do have great stories that can be used to win these awards. Are you looking to identify the fantastic stories that your business has that can be used to win awards? Reach out to me, and let's find those fantastic stories you can put forward for award nominations. Let's prepare your awards strategy. https://lnkd.in/gvKUWKTv

I was once nominated for a prestigious award, but after further investigation, it was expected that I would pay a fee to the organisers of the event in order to be part of it. The business world is inundated with an exessive number of awards, and nominations, each claiming to celebrate corporate excellence and honor top-ranked individuals. While some of these events serve as valuable platforms for networking and knowledge exchange, the sheer volume and often repetitive nature of these award ceremonies have led to a sense of oversaturation and diluted significance. The excessive hype surrounding these events can create a culture of superficial recognition, where merit may sometimes be overshadowed by popularity or the ability to self-promote. How do you distinguish between meaningful opportunities for recognition and those driven primarily by commercial interests?

3 things I learnt for my own future award entries after doing some Digiday judging... 1. Be clear on the problem you are solving (not just sharing the context of the brand) 2. Be disciplined and write your idea in a single sentence. 3. Be precise on the impact you made, sharing what results were over and above expectations. Bonus: Stand out in the sea of sameness of awards entries, when you are 7 down and 25 more to go, you need distinctiveness as well as memorability.

Have you got an awards strategy? Most companies I know are very reactive when applying for awards within their industry. They are good to have, but companies do not consider them until someone approaches them to submit for a particular award. If they are lucky, they do end up winning that award. But most of the time, the submission does not result in a win. However, most companies have great stories that can be used to win these awards. Are you looking to identify the fantastic stories that your business has that can be used to win awards? Reach out to me, and let's find those fantastic stories you can put forward for award nominations. Let's prepare your awards strategy. https://lnkd.in/gTUjNkzk

It's definitely awards season now - and winning an award (or getting shortlisted for one) can have massive benefits for your business. But sometimes it's hard to know where to start - so we asked the amazing BuBul awards expert Louise Turner, Chartered PR for some tips - and here they are! Look for quality awards that matter to your target audience – my starting point is always professional membership bodies and trade magazines, as these have a strong reputation for quality, robust judging processes, and are a true endorsement from your peers. Know the rules of the game – give the organiser a call and ask about the deadline and any potential extension, the word count and any leeway, plus whether they allow additional supporting information. Before you answer the questions, think about what you want to say – work in your key messages regardless of what you are asked. Thinking about these first makes sure you do not miss any of the critical points you want to make. A picture paints a thousand words – add them to your Word document to enhance your story, use them in supporting information, or create infographics to add interest. Be aware of the bigger context – while the detail of your project is important, if you have solved a universal problem you need to point this out to the judges, not simply focus on the minute detail of what you have delivered. Thanks to Louise for the benefit of her experience - if you are thinking of entering some awards better call Louise! #bubul #betterbusiness #awards

Let's talk about awards. I'm involved in multiple events that involve awards, and I'm interested to hear what people have to say about their expectations. If you have a minute, please tell me your thoughts on one or all of these (or send me a DM if you'd prefer to keep your thoughts private): Should an award nomination cost money and, if you are okay with a fee, what's reasonable to you? What kind of an event do you expect to have tied to the presentation of the awards? Reception? Gala? What are your expectations for the award itself? Trophy? Plaque? Certificate? Do you still display the industry awards you have won, and if you do, how do you display them? I won't be quoting anyone here on anything. I'm just trying to do a little research courtesy of my colleagues here on LinkedIn.

Awards season is upon us again. Don't get caught scrambling! Here's your essential starter pack to dominate the competition: The Essentials: Every contender needs a battle plan. Here's what you'll need to fight (and win!): Awards Calendar: Knowledge is power! Map out your award targets by researching relevant awards in your industry and their deadlines. Pro tip: mark them in your calendar well in advance to avoid last-minute panic. ️ Submission Guidelines: Read the submission guidelines carefully. Then, read them again. Don't let a technicality trip you up at the finish line. Winning Entries: Learn from the best! Analyse past winners in each category. Understand what the judges are looking for – what made these entries stand out from the crowd? Analyse their strengths and tailor your approach accordingly. ✨ Need a seasoned team to craft a winning submission and navigate the complexities of awards season? Green Door Co is here to help! We have a proven track record of securing accolades for our clients. Let's chat about your award goals – we'd be happy to put our expertise to work for you! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g-B2d59j

The glittering lights dim, the acceptance speeches conclude, and the final Business Award is handed out. Yet, for many attendees, the real magic of an award show often happens after the cameras stop rolling. The rest of the awards night presents a unique opportunity for forging connections that can propel careers and businesses forward. But navigating the awards night buzz can be daunting. How do you transition from admiring a fellow nominee from afar to striking up a meaningful conversation in a crowded room? How can you ensure that your fleeting encounter blossoms into a lasting professional relationship? Fear not, for this guide will equip you with the tools to turn an awards night into a stepping stone for success. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gSAEYS5k