The OpenWater Blog

3 Reasons Your Awards Program Brand Will Help You Stand Out

For organizations in the nonprofit world, finding out how to appear unique can be a challenge. Your awards program may very well be one of a kind, but relaying that information to the public can be an uphill battle. Well, how you brand your organization’s program will determine how much you stand out, and in turn the level of success you achieve. It is all based on making a clear promise to your audience. The mission of your awards program is to honor the best people in your field. Your program brand is the reputation you have for delivering. Here are three ways to help you brand your organization’s awards to stand out from everyone else.

1. Find a Niche

You may be extremely passionate about the area in which your organization is focused. However, with over 1.5 million nonprofits, many of which running awards programs, you need to have a clear reason why people should be drawn to your awards program. Make it so that the average person will be able to clearly understand what your awards program honors, and how you plan to achieve your goals.

Find a specific niche that you want your program to focus on that differentiates yourself from others. People are drawn to something that is different and relates to them.

2. Show Credibility

In order for someone to make a donation or submission to your awards program, you first need to ensure them that you have the ability to deliver on your promises. It does not matter what area your program is focused in, your members and donors will need to know that you can be trusted. You must have solid management practices so that their money is put to good use. A big way to help give your organization’s program credibility is by having a strong board of directors. Surrounding yourself with great people will ensure that you can set the direction of your program and be accountable for results.

3. Get People to Care

The final piece of advice for building an effective brand is getting people to identify with and care about the cause your awards are bringing attention to. If you want your program to be successful, you need to seek out the people beyond those who are directly affected by the issue you are working on. In order to make it easier for people to trust your organization, and ultimately donate to and attend your awards ceremony, you should speak authentically about how honoring your winners will help bring attention to your cause, and ultimately what you bring to the table to improve the area that you are focused in.

Matt

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