How to Nail Your Awards Entry — Without Losing Your Mind (or Missing the Deadline)

Entering awards can be an incredible way to showcase your team’s achievements, boost your brand’s credibility, and get recognition for work that often goes unnoticed. But creating a standout awards submission? That takes more than just writing a few nice paragraphs and hitting send. I’ve been lucky enough to pick up a few awards and recognitions along the way, check it out here.

Whether you're applying for a local community award, industry recognition, or a national title, here’s how to approach an awards entry properly — and give your submission the best chance of success.

Winners: Best Team under 10, BSI Workplace Culture

2025: Local Medalist in the New Zealander of the Year

Otaki Market Trophy and Certificate

Understand the Question (and Actually Answer It)

You’d be surprised how many entries miss the mark simply because they don’t fully answer the question. Before you start writing, slow down and take time to understand:

• What is this award really recognising? Do you qualify?

• Are they asking for results, impact, innovation, or community value?

• Is the question multi-part (e.g., “What was the challenge and how did you overcome it?”)? If so, make sure you answer every part.

Tip: Copy the question into your draft and bullet-point your answer before turning it into a paragraph. It keeps you on track.

Use Stats — But Back Them Up

If you're using figures, results, or impressive stats — that’s great! Judges love to see impact. But make sure:

• You know where the data comes from

• You have permission to use it

• You can explain how the numbers were calculated if asked

A bold claim like "500% increase in engagement" is amazing — but only if you’ve got the details to back it up.

Don’t Go Solo — Use Your Team

Awards entries are a team sport. Don’t shoulder the whole thing yourself:

• Pull in subject matter experts to answer specific questions

• Get input from people closest to the project

• Ask someone outside the team to proofread for grammar, clarity, and tone

• Appoint someone to do a final pre-submission check

You’ll often get better answers, spot errors earlier, and avoid tunnel vision.

Follow the Instructions (Seriously, All of Them)

Yes, even the boring ones:

• Stick to the word count - you can use a few tools to help you with the word count, simply putting the content into word, a google doc or even AI.

• Format the file as requested (Word, PDF, etc.)

• Use the correct file naming convention (e.g., “OrgName_Awards2025.pdf”)

• Don’t exceed attachment limits

• Double-check submission deadlines — and time zones

Tip: Create a checklist of the entry requirements and tick them off as you go.

Use a Mentor or Advisor if Offered

Some awards programmes offer support from a previous winner or mentor — use them! They’ve likely seen behind the scenes and can offer:

• Honest feedback on your draft

• Advice on what judges really care about

• Common pitfalls to avoid

Even a 15-minute conversation can level up your entry.

Submit Early (Not at 11:59pm on Deadline Day)

Life happens. Wi-Fi crashes, attachments corrupt, or someone accidentally sends the wrong version.

Aim to have your final entry ready at least 48 hours before the deadline, giving you time for one last read-through — and to fix any last-minute surprises.

Entering an award isn’t just about winning (though that’s nice!). It’s a chance to reflect on what you’ve achieved, celebrate the journey, and tell your story with pride. If you're going to take the time to enter — make sure it’s your best work, backed up by detail, reviewed by fresh eyes, and submitted with care.

Now go polish that trophy shelf — you've got this.