Have you ever pondered the impact the words “award winning” could have on your business? An award serves as a powerful PR tool, showing the world that you have more than just self-proclaimed greatness to offer. Validation from outside sources is essential if you want to build credibility and start attracting quality attention.
Winning awards is a multi-step process. What follows are 6 tips from the Winner’s Circle so you too can be an award winning business owner!

1. Get in the mindset of receiving.
Before you even consider applying for an award, make sure that you’re in the mindset to receive. Visualize yourself as a winner and allow these awards to come to you. If you need to say to yourself “I’m a winner!” then do that. Prepare your psyche first and watch how easy the rest is.

2. Start small and local.
You don’t have to go for the Nobel Prize on your first attempt! Start small and research local organizations who offer awards. If you’re shaky about going for a big award, then practice with a community award or something very small scale. Look at this as a stepping stone to higher visibility opportunities. Set up Google alerts to notify you of awards in your topic or geographical areas.

3. Be Truthful and Stay In Integrity
As you look at the many awards available and what criteria must be met to win, you may be tempted to fudge the facts about yourself. One word of advice about that: DON’T. Many awards are based on annual income, years in business, personal circumstances, gender, faith, race, ethnicity, industry, geographic area, active membership in a group, or a host of other specifics. Don’t embarrass yourself by going for an award that you’re clearly not qualified to apply for.

4. Have your information ready to go
Most awards require letters of recommendation, a bio, statement of purpose, and a headshot. Your headshot usually needs to be high resolution (600 dpi), and your bios anywhere from 75-250 words, depending on the rules.

5. Keep trying.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t win. Like the lotto, you can’t win if you don’t play!

6. Leverage.
Once you’re nominated or win that award, leverage it! Create blog posts and media releases, let people know. When you’ve won an award of substance, be sure to add “award winning” to your title and see how that attracts even more attention! Ask the award givers for a logo or graphic for the award that you can put on your website (great PR for them).

Once you put these tips into practice, you’ll find yourself at the ready when the next award comes up. Starting small and working your way up will give you great practice for winning more awards. Be patient in this process, sometimes you may have to go for the same award a few years in a row to get it. Once you do start collecting awards, you’ll notice how it opens doors and puts you in the arena of high credibility.

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Nancy Marmolejo is a PR, media, and social networking strategist who teaches women entrepreneurs how to generate more money and attention by positioning themselves in the spotlight. An award winning business owner, Nancy is frequently quoted in the areas of business, creativity, and social networking. Get Nancy’s 7 part free audio course by visiting www.VivaVisibility.com

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