It would be foolish to put in all of the time and effort needed to enter an awards if you don’t actually want to win. However, as we explain in this post, at Awards Writers we’re big fans of the benefits you can get from being shortlisted.

So, what can you do to maximise the benefits of being shortlisted? Here’s our quick checklist so you can be sure to make the most from your achievement, regardless of whether you walk away with the trophy.

First of all, check with the awards organisers whether there’s an embargo on announcing you’ve been shortlisted. Some give you advance notice but want to make their own announcement before you talk about the news publicly
While you’re at it, find out whether there’s an official finalist’s logo which you can use on your website, social media and in any communications about being shortlisted. Awards issue them to finalists and it will be useful in promoting your achievement
Once you can talk about the news, use it as a reason to contact clients (current, past and potential) to share your achievement with them. Maybe you could roll that news in with a special offer, but just the reminder in people’s in-boxes can be enough to remind them about you and could generate new business
Use your social media accounts to announce the news and follow others who are also shortlisted. Remember that the awards dinner is a great networking opportunity, so making “virtual” contact with others beforehand starts that relationship before you’ve even got your glad rags on. If there’s an official awards hashtag, don’t forget to use it
Thank your team. Let’s face it, you couldn’t have got there without them, so [...]

I was at Ripon Racecourse last night as the guest of a private investment firm courtesy of my lovely accountant. To all intents and purposes it was a networking event with lovely food and drink, and the added excitement of a little flutter on the horses.

Among a group of ladies the talk turned to networking and the value that has. Interestingly it was an investment manager who was talking about the value of networking with other (employed) women in financial services as a way of creating a support system and sharing the challenges and frustrations of being a woman in that kind of role.

I have long advocated that SMEs should use social media and blogging as a way of establishing expertise, of positioning yourself and of sharing useful content with others. But there’s another, pretty compelling, reason to regularly use social media and write blogs – it helps people to know, like and trust you, even if that is in a virtual space.

Most people know the theory that using Twitter should be a way to start, or take part in, conversations, not just a broadcast mechanism. If you’ve invested in those relationships you are more likely to be able to rely on them when something goes wrong or if you need something.

It’s the same with blogging – and commenting on the blogs of others. You are creating another way for people to know, like and trust you, which might mean that you’re the one at the front of their mind the next time they need to recommend someone.

Someone who does this really well is Richard Kimber at the Customer Experience Coach. He not only blogs regularly about his area of expertise, he draws people [...]