The OpenWater Blog

What You Can Learn From Your Awards Program’s Entrants

You already know that no awards program is ever finished. Meaning that there is always something you can change or improve to take your program to the next level. The best way to find where these areas of improvements are is to evaluate your program after each awards cycle. (Something you should be doing anyways!)

The question, though, is where to begin finding this information to improve your awards? Well, a perfect place to start is with your entrants!

Not only are all your efforts designed to appeal to and attract entrants, but these entrants have navigated the stages of your program as well. So when it comes to finding out how your program is doing, your entrants are able to provide some of the most valuable insight.

And, as you may have guessed, one of the best methods for gathering this information from your entrants is through surveys. But what questions should you ask your entrants?

Your Entrant Feedback Checklist

You already understand that your entrants’ opinions are important. But which aspects are most important? Before creating your survey you should establish the goal of your survey to keep it organized and focused. But, some important points that all entrants can shed light on are:

1. Why they decided to apply

2. How they learned about your awards program

3. Where they first learned of your program

4. What attracted them to your awards

5. What they thought of the application process

6. What they thought of the application itself

7. What parts of the application process they found difficult and in need of improvement

By gathering this feedback you can revisit and improve your awards program for next year’s entrants. If you’re lucky, the same entrants will remain with you through different awards cycles. This enables you to measure long-term success from the same individuals who have seen you evolve.

When Should You Send These Surveys?

The optimal time to send surveys to your entrants is shortly after the call for entry deadline. Why? Because the part your entrants are most involved in (the actual submission process) has just been completed. With their experience fresh in their mind, they’ll be able to give you clearer and more unbiased feedback.

Sending these surveys sooner rather than later has several benefits. You’re giving entrants more time to respond before you analyze the results, which means you have time to collect more surveys. And you’re avoiding those who didn’t win from giving back harsher, more biased feedback, tinted with the disappointment of their loss (hey, we’re all human).

To learn more on how entrants can help improve your awards, check out our guide (which includes free survey templates!).

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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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