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February 28, 2025
Maximizing the Impact of Your Business Award: 6 Strategies for Long-Term Success
BY RONNY LEBLANC
Winning a business award is a significant achievement, offering validation, credibility, and a competitive edge in your industry. However, the benefits of an award shouldn’t be limited to a single moment of recognition. By strategically leveraging social media, your website, and other marketing channels, you can extend the value of your win long after the initial announcement. Here are six effective strategies to maximize the longevity and impact of your business award.
1. Showcase the Award/Recognition Prominently on Your Website
Your website is the digital storefront of your business, making it an ideal place to highlight your award. Here’s how to make the most of it:
• Homepage Banner: Add a visually striking banner or badge on your homepage announcing your award.
• Dedicated Award Page: Create a page that details the award, what it means, and why your business won. Include photos, a press release, and testimonials from clients or industry leaders.
• Update the About Us Page: Incorporate the award into your company’s story, reinforcing your credibility and industry leadership.
• SEO Optimization: Use keywords related to the award to improve search rankings and attract more traffic.
By maintaining visibility on your website, you create an ongoing reminder of your business’s excellence, which can instill confidence in potential clients and partners.
2. Maximize Social Media Exposure
Social media is a powerful tool for amplifying your award and keeping it top of mind for your audience. To extend its impact:
• Announcement Post: Share the news with an eye-catching graphic and a compelling caption that expresses gratitude and excitement.
• Engage Followers: Ask your audience to celebrate with you by sharing their thoughts or tagging friends who should know about your award.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Post photos and videos from the award ceremony, acceptance speech clips, or interviews with your team about what the win means.
• Pinned Post: Pin your award announcement to the top of your social media profiles so it remains visible to visitors.
• Recurring Mentions: Periodically reference the award in future posts, such as “Award-Winning Customer Service” or “Recognized as the Best in Our Industry.”
Social media algorithms favor engagement, so the more interactive and shareable your award-related posts are, the longer they’ll stay relevant.
3. Leverage Email Marketing
Your email list consists of customers, prospects, and industry contacts who should know about your achievement. Here’s how to use email marketing to extend the reach of your award:
• Dedicated Email Blast: Send an email announcing the award, explaining its significance, and thanking customers for their support.
• Email Signature Update: Add a small award icon or text like “Proud Winner of [Award Name]” in every outgoing email to keep it top of mind.
• Incorporate in Newsletters: Feature the award in company updates, testimonials, and case studies that highlight why your business was recognized.
• Exclusive Customer Promotions: Tie the award into a limited-time offer or loyalty program as a way to celebrate with your customers.
By consistently incorporating the award into email communication, you reinforce credibility and keep the achievement relevant.
4. Create Engaging Content Around the Award
Content marketing is one of the best ways to keep your award in the spotlight while providing valuable insights to your audience. Here are some content ideas:
• Blog Posts: Write an article about your journey to winning the award, what it means for your industry, and how it reflects your company’s values.
• Case Studies: Showcase customer success stories that contributed to your award-winning performance.
• Video Content: Create a short video discussing the impact of the award, featuring team members sharing their excitement and gratitude.
• Podcast or Interview: If applicable, discuss your award on a podcast, webinar, or industry event to further establish your authority.
By regularly creating fresh content related to your award, you give it an extended shelf life while providing value to your audience.
5. Use the Award in Sales and PR Efforts
Winning an award can give your business an edge in sales conversations and public relations outreach. Here’s how to integrate it into your strategy:
• Press Release Distribution: Issue a press release to industry publications, local media, and online news sites to increase visibility.
• Sales Presentations & Proposals: Highlight the award in your sales materials, proposals, and pitches to build trust with potential clients.
• Networking & Conferences: Mention the award in your bio, business cards, and introductions at networking events and industry conferences.
• LinkedIn Updates: Share the award in a LinkedIn article or update, and ask employees to engage with and share the post.
Awards provide third-party validation, making them an excellent tool for strengthening sales and PR efforts.
6. Encourage Employee and Customer Participation
Your employees and customers are among your biggest advocates. Engage them in celebrating your award to further amplify its reach.
• Employee Advocacy: Encourage team members to share the award news on their personal LinkedIn and social media accounts.
• Customer Testimonials: Ask loyal customers to share why they believe your business deserved the award, and feature their testimonials on your website and social channels.
• Community Engagement: If the award has a local or industry-specific impact, host an event or offer a special promotion to celebrate with your community.
• Branded Merchandise: Create award-themed swag (stickers, shirts, mugs) for employees and customers as a fun way to keep the achievement visible.
By involving employees and customers, you transform your award into a shared success, further extending its impact.
Final Thoughts
Winning an award is a major milestone, but its true value comes from how well you leverage it over time. By strategically showcasing it on your website, engaging with social media, utilizing email marketing, creating compelling content, integrating it into sales and PR efforts, and involving employees and customers, you can maximize its impact for months or even years.
An award is more than just a trophy or certificate—it’s a tool that can help build brand credibility, attract new business, and strengthen relationships with customers and stakeholders. The key is to keep it in the conversation and continuously find new ways to highlight your achievement. With the right approach, your award can remain a valuable asset for your business long after the initial excitement fades.
Could your company use a helping hand in executing on these strategies? WBJ has a new division, the WBJ Content Lab, that helps clients tell their story and amplify those efforts to maximize their brand visibility and lead generation. Set up a free 30-minute marketing consultation with WBJ Content Lab director Ronny LeBlanc at rleblanc@wbjournal.com.
