The OpenWater Blog

One Thing All Successful Awards Programs Do Each Year

Success. This one word can sum up the main priority of all awards programs regardless of your industry or the type of program you’re running. But actually attaining that successful outcome? That can take some hard work and one key thing that all awards do on a yearly basis.

Now, what is that one key thing? An introspective review and analysis of your awards season!

I know what you’re thinking, “All of it?” Yep, all of it. However, while actually surveying all aspects of your program can be incredibly transformative, focusing in on a few key areas can still make a significant impact.

Start Your Review With Broad Considerations

As with all reviews, it’s always easiest to begin with broad considerations of your program and to get more specific from there. This means taking all of the big ideas and boiling them down into core concepts that you can better for years to come.

So, where to begin? There are a few factors to consider, including:

• Planning is at the core of any successful program and should be one of the first actions you take when a new program begins and the first thing you reflect upon once your current program ends. Ask yourself key questions like:
  • Did you plan out the proper number of steps and the time each requires?
  • How did you create your schedule?
  • Did you give yourself any leeway in the case of unforeseen issues?
• Budgeting is an all-encompassing issue that you must account for before any money is actually spent. Reflect on whether you’ve considered all costs, including press release syndication, credit card processing fees, judging costs, and other marketing expenses before beginning your program.
• BrandingWhat has your program done for your organization? If the answer is “not much” you can reflect on several key issues that can make a difference for next year. Think about your messaging, design, and branding as a whole to reveal some possible improvements.

Next, Narrow it Down

Now that you’re thinking broadly, it’s time to narrow things down. Think about the individual elements that really make a difference in your program, your entrants’ experiences with your program, and, of course, your overall success!

Here are a few specific elements to pay attention to:

• Website: Your website is like the bread and butter of all your awards program communications. Not only do you refer your entrants here for vital information and to actually enter, but you’ll also put information about judges, events, and deadlines here too. So, what has your awards website done for you this season? If your answer is anything but amazing/remarkable/extraordinary, reevaluate where you can do better.
• Judges are another key component of your program. These are the industry-relevant names that get your entrants excited and coming back for more. So, want to retain those judges or aim for better ones next year? The decision is up to you after some serious reflection.
• Staff: Your staff members keep the program going, no matter what. If bumps in the road happen, you should think whether or not it’s your staff’s fault or your own. Proper management and direction is key, so what can you be doing better to better manage your staff’s time and resources next year?

Whenever your awards season ends, the first thing you probably want to do is to sit back and relax. But, taking this one last introspective step is truly crucial to increase (or maintain) the success of your own awards program.

Ready for a recap? When it comes to reviewing your own program, consider key elements that can make or break your success like:

• Planning
• Branding
• Budgeting
• Website Creation
• Judging Selection
• Staff Management

Your future self will thank you once next year’s program planning begins.

How do you evaluate the success of your program? Share some of your tips and best practices below in the comments?

Want to learn more inside information about how to make your next program a true success? Download our Executive’s Guide and get going on your own strategy!

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.

How to Set Up a Terrible Awards Program This Year

You’ve Selected Your Awards Judges. So, Now What?