The OpenWater Blog

Preparing for Your Awards Program

Your call for entry is fast approaching and you’re ready for it!

Or, are you? After all, there is a seemingly endless list of things that need doing and elements in need of planning before your awards program begins.

But, what has to be done before your call for entry?

If that’s something you’ve been asking yourself, today’s your lucky day! Below we’re going to go over 5 important elements of your program and what you need to do to get them ready for the upcoming awards cycle.

1. Get Your Awards Website Running

Your entrants, judges, and staff need one location where they can access information key to their role. And your awards website is exactly what can do all the above.

You’ll rely on your website from the call for entry through submissions, judging, and the awards gala. As such, it’s vital that you make it easy-to-use while including all necessary elements, some of which include:

• Submission Form
• Biographies/Extra Information About Judges
• Rules/Eligibility Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Much, much more!

Learn more about getting your awards website ready here.

2. Develop a Marketing Strategy

How are you going to attract entrants to your program? What platforms are you going to use? Are you going to use paid advertisements? These are just some of the questions you should consider while you build a custom marketing strategy.

The best strategies include a variety of promotional elements like advertising, emails, social media, and more! What will yours include?

Check out our eBook to learn more about awards marketing.

3. Set Up Your Judging Process

Judging is much more than just setting up your judges in a room and searching through submissions. Who are your judges going to be? How are they going to judge entries? There’s a simple step-by-step process to address these questions:

• Seek out Industry Experts as Judges
• Develop and Train Judges on Your Processes
• Create Judging Criteria

For more advice on prepping for your awards judging, click here.

4. Prepare Your Staff

Your staff is as critical to your success as your judges. Remember, you need dedicated individuals that are just as committed to a program as you are. As such, each member needs to be fully trained on your program and the management system you are using.

Use this tool to track and manage your awards staff’s tasks.

5. Develop and Execute a Sales Strategy

Getting entrants to finish their entry can seem all but impossible. Luckily, you can do your part to quicken the process by reaching out to entrants.

It’s easier to do this if you first compile a “sales” strategy designed to connect with and convert entrants. This strategy will produce notable effects in both revenue and loyalty to your program and make each year better than the last.

Click here for ideas on how to reach out to entrants.

To simplify and streamline the process, download our checklist to track and prepare for your awards.

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Miriam Hancock

Miriam Hancock
Miriam is the Marketing Coordinator for OpenWater. When she isn't writing and designing content she paints and cooks for her own personal blog.

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