The OpenWater Blog

Learning Series: The Art of the Call for Entry

You’re preparing to launch your awards program. While you’ve been successful in years prior, you know you need to continue attracting new entrants to increase your organization’s success and build prestige. If you’re in this position, it’s time you focus on your call for entry.

The art of the call for entry is something many organizations don’t take the time to master. They view it as a simple step that doesn’t necessarily affect their awards program. However, it does.

In this article, we’re sharing some of the tips OpenWater co-founder Timothy Spell shared at his Worlds of Awards presentation: Creating a Toolkit for Effective Marketing: “The Art of the Call for Entry.”

For an Exceptional Call for Entry, You Need to Focus on Your Website

Your website is the hub of all awards program activities. It’s where you allow individuals to submit their entries, where you showcase judges, a central hub to feature FAQs, and offer all the information necessary to keep your program running smoothly. Naturally, your website is also where your call for entries is housed.

Not all call for entries are the same, either. In fact, you may want to insert a call-to-action to direct entrants where to go on your website and what to download or do to get started with your program. For example, the Stevie Awards has an “Entry Kit” available for download. Their homepage directs users to the Kit to ensure all users understand what is expected of them and where they should go on the website to get engaged.

Once you have a website and call for entry, you need to market your program to maximize the number of high-quality entries you receive. It’s easiest to do so through inbound strategies.

What are Inbound Marketing Strategies?

Inbound marketing strategies are about entrants finding you rather than you actively pursuing entrants. This means you shouldn’t push your program on potential entrants but should instead focus on creating exceptional content and using authentic methods to connect with audience members.

Some of the most popular (and successful) inbound methods include:

• Email blasts directed at target personas
• SEO (search engine optimization)
• Press releases
• Mail flyers, also directed at target personas
• Online advertisements
• Social media campaigns
• Old fashioned calls!

Actively marketing your call for entry rather than just putting it out there in an email to entrants from years prior is the beginning of a successful strategy.

Watch Timothy’s Full Presentation for More Insight on Marketing Your Call for Entry

Every program has room for improvement. If you believe you could be marketing your call for entry better, check out Timothy’s full, 30-minute presentation for additional insight and an in-depth training.

Kunal Johar

Kunal Johar is the OpenWater platform evangelist. He currently manages our development teams and enjoys diving into the fray. Find him in our community chat room.

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