Receiving an award from a recognized, legitimate source is a fantastic way to get attention for an organization, a brand or an individual. It shows everyone how awesome you are. It’s not just you saying it, others are too!

There are two types of recognition we will talk about today: Industry Awards and Local “Best Of” Awards.

Industry Awards are honors given by professional organizations, trade associations, or industry groups and are usually presented at trade shows, annual conferences, or industry galas. The purpose of the awards is to recognize excellence, innovation, or leadership within a specific field.

Some famous examples would be:

Some more local examples would be:

First, research which awards and organizations align with what you offer and check to see if you qualify. Take the application process seriously and follow the directions carefully—there will be strict deadlines and requirements for submissions.

Make your entry stand out by showcasing what you’ve accomplished with strong supporting materials, such as testimonials, case studies, or performance data.

If you win, make sure you promote your win with a press release (especially if it’s’ a national award), on social media, and in newsletters. Be gracious and classy by celebrating finalists and honorable mentions.

Put your award on your home-page. This helps with credibility, not just for clients, but also for GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) That means if you want to show up in AI searches you need to give it a reason to mention you.

Use award recognition as a conversation starter with media, clients, and others that have an interest in your business. Enjoy that award—you’ve earned it!

You’ve seen them before, the ‘Best of’ Awards. Best Ice Cream Shop. Best Property Manager. Best Hairdresser. You may have also recognized them as “Reader’s Choice” awards.

These are awards given by local publications, media outlets, or community organizations. Outlets like magazines, newspapers, city guides, or online platforms almost always have these awards. They highlight businesses, services, or individuals within a community that stand out.

These types of awards are often given during the late summer, early fall.

To be nominated there are usually two paths: Self-nomination or community nominations. Whichever path you choose, make sure you nominate yourself in plenty of time. If you’re unsure, research the outlet itself. Try calling or emailing, either way, get the information you need so you can get yourself listed.

The eligibility criteria can vary, but typically include being in business for a minimum period, having a certain number of employees, and meeting local or industry-specific qualifications.

Use That Recognition

Whether you receive an industry award or a ‘Best of’ award, use the recognition in your marketing materials, on your website, and on social media.

I hope that you get an award so I can celebrate with you—and everyone can come to learn of your awesomeness! 🕶️

Do this now: Research which awards or Best Of lists exist in your industry. Note the requirements as well as the application or nomination deadlines. If the deadline has passed for this year, set a reminder in your calendar so you have plenty of time to apply next year.

Get PR techniques from recent news.

The creators of Tiny Chef, Rachel Larsen and Ozlem Akturk, were told their series had been cancelled, they didn’t walk away.

Instead they sparked public outpouring with a video posted on YouTube, that has over 1.4 million views.

Creators are now finding other avenues to success that don’t involve big networks. By sharing the character’s sadness with the viral YouTube video, we see traditional distribution outlets being bypassed and making appeals to fans in a new way.

And they are doing a great job at it. Just read the YouTube comments or the NY Times article to see they have raised over $140,000 to relaunch of the character’s “Fwiends Club,” a paid subscription with 10,000 members.

💫 Pro Tip: Keep up to date with new content streams and stay true to your voice and brand.

Useful PR Resources.

List IQ is an AI-powered tool for building hyper-targeted media lists from a Google News search. It’s free until July 22nd!

This new tool from BuzzStream is in Beta version and you can try it now for free. I recently gave it go and was very impressed.

I preach all the time that having an accurate list of journalists (media list) is so important when pitching the media. BuzzStream List IQ helps you accomplish this.

Why I loved it:

How it works: Start by downloading the Chrome extension in your browser. Open up Google News and search for your topic (i.e. “ny fashion week). Select all of the information that you want ListIQ to find and start adding any relevant URLs to your list. Then click “Generate Sheet,” and you’ll get a Google Sheet or CSV file with a media list. Easy peasy!

Thanks List IQ - you just saved me hours of tedious work by building a media list!

KouKou, the 1-year-old Ragdoll, loves to carry around her stuffed animal, that is bigger than she is. Of course with Attention Seeking being on top of her mind, KouKou will play fetch with her owners just get get extra attention from them of course. KouKou your fluffiness and cuteness has caught our eye!

This episode has got me thinking, I wonder if I could get an award for Best Attention Seeker?

Until next week, keep your shades on and stay cool.

Your fellow Seeker,
Keren

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