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As a small business owner, the choices you make in marketing your business can have a lasting impact on your growth potential as well as your bottom line. According to small business mentor Rhondalynn Korolak, most start-ups waste masses of money on advertising that does not even work – 99 per cent of marketing messages are ineffective, Korolak says. Standard, scattershot self-promotional marketing fails because customers do not give a damn about your brand, she says.
So how do you get your customers to know you exist and believe in your brand as a credible solution to their needs? One of the easiest and most inexpensive tactics for building awareness of what you’re doing and at the same time giving you an opportunity to reassess what you’ve achieved and give yourself a pat on the back, is to apply for local business and industry awards.
What’s involved in Applying for Business Awards?
It does take time to gather together the information needed to complete the application and for small business owners that can sometimes seem to be not worth the effort. But think about the longer plan. Awards are judged by third parties who validate what you do as worthy of an award. They are generally peers in your industry, your customers or leaders in your industry associations.
How to Leverage Success with Business Awards
Think about the impact on your customers’ perception of your business and how you can use it to your advantage. People like to be associated with winning companies. When there’s a choice between you and your competition, your award may be the lure that wins them over.
5 Ways to Promote Your Business with Business Awards
1. You can display the logo on your website, online marketing, email signature and marketing collateral.
2. Include the story about your award and the logos in your next newsletter and on your business blog.
3. Your staff and supporters will not only get a morale boost, they’ll have an extra tool when selling your product or service. And it can attract quality employees – everyone wants to work for a winner.
4. Write a press release and tell everyone you’ve won your award. And then head straight for your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages and other social media to share it with your followers – and beyond.
5. Display it with pride. Let your customers share your success. And if you’re an e commerce store only, take photos and make it a shared experience with your online community.
Awards are a great way to gain recognition for you, your business and your website. They bring prestige and online traffic while they enhance your credibility. So get moving and check out your local business and industry awards now!
Your Business Awards
Tell us about your experiences with business awards, what have you learnt about applying for them and how you have promoted your business successes.
Chrissy Crust is a small business consultant, coach, facilitator and mentor. She is on a mission to help small business owners and start- ups plan for success.
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