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The Ultimate Guide to Winning Award Submissions & Boosting Credibility

The Ultimate Guide to Winning Award Submissions & Boosting Credibility

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.
businesswoman winning an award


Did you know that companies that win industry awards experience up to a 37% increase in sales?¹ Winning an award isn’t just about adding another trophy to your shelf—it’s about standing out in a crowded market, gaining third-party validation, and building trust with potential clients. If you're not actively submitting your business for awards, you're leaving credibility, visibility, and revenue on the table.

So, how do you craft a winning award submission? And more importantly, how do you leverage those wins for maximum impact? This guide will walk you through the entire process—from selecting the right awards to crafting a compelling submission and using your wins to boost your brand.

Why Awards Matter More Than You Think

Winning an award is more than just an ego boost—it’s a strategic tool that can transform your business.

Credibility and Business Growth

Awards act as third-party endorsements, reinforcing your credibility and differentiating you from competitors. A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that small businesses that win awards experience a 63% increase in revenue and a 39% boost in employee morale.² The impact goes beyond prestige—awards influence purchasing decisions, attract new clients, and strengthen brand authority. In fact, 82% of business leaders say that award recognition plays a role in their decision-making process.³

small businesses that win awards experience 63% increase in revenue and a 39% boost in employee morale

Increased Visibility and Media Exposure

Many award programs offer built-in publicity through press releases, social media mentions, and event promotions, amplifying your brand’s visibility. Securing a nomination or a win can lead to media features, increased website traffic, and a stronger presence in the industry. Our client, TPG Architecture, for example, has successfully leveraged award wins to gain editorial opportunities—securing dedicated project features as a direct result of award submissions.

Programs like the Architizer A+ Product Awards, Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards, Metropolis Planet Positive Awards, ENR Award of Excellence, and CoreNet Global Awards provide significant industry recognition and media exposure, often showcasing winning projects to global audiences. The ability to leverage such prestigious honors in marketing and sales efforts makes them a critical component of a firm’s growth strategy.

Internal Motivation and Talent Attraction

Beyond external recognition, award wins boost employee morale. Employees take pride in working for an award-winning company, which can lead to increased engagement and retention. Businesses with strong recognition programs experience 31% lower turnover rates than those without.⁴ Showcasing your achievements also helps attract top-tier talent, positioning your firm as an industry leader where high performers want to work.

businesses with strong recognition progrms experience 31% lower turnover rates than those without

Strategic Award Utilization

Awards aren’t just for display—they can be used as powerful marketing assets. One of our architecture clients integrates award seals directly into their proposals, reinforcing design excellence when presenting to clients. Their leadership teams have also leveraged project awards to strengthen individual recognition and secure accolades such as RDI’s Legion of Honor award and Connect CRE's Women in Real Estate Award, which look for a portfolio rich with award-winning projects.

Beyond company-wide recognition, awards that highlight individual professionals—such as 40 Under 40 Awards and Commercial Observer’s Top Young Professionals—can help elevate key team members, positioning them as rising leaders in the industry. These accolades not only boost credibility internally but also enhance visibility within the sector, making firms more attractive to potential clients and top talent. Recognizing individual achievements reinforces a firm’s commitment to leadership development and industry impact.

At UpSpring, we take awards as seriously as we do media relations. Each of our clients has a dedicated, heavily researched strategy for hitting their award goals—refined year over year. For our client TPG Architecture, we reduced the total number of award submissions by roughly half by reprioritizing our approach, while nearly doubling the selection rate from 31% in 2023 to 59% in 2024. By strategically assessing past wins, price, and competition, we ensure our clients' submissions are both cost-effective and highly successful.

The key to maximizing these benefits is a thoughtful, strategic approach to award submissions. By selecting the right awards, crafting compelling entries, and actively leveraging your wins, you can turn recognition into real business results. Let’s explore how to do just that.

Strategic Award Utilization

Awards aren’t just for display—they can be used as powerful marketing assets. One of our architecture clients integrates award seals directly into their proposals, reinforcing design excellence when presenting to clients. Their leadership teams have also leveraged project awards to strengthen individual recognition and secure accolades such as RDI’s Legion of Honor award and Connect CRE's Women in Real Estate Award, which look for a portfolio rich with award-winning projects.

Beyond company-wide recognition, awards that highlight individual professionals—such as 40 Under 40 Awards and Commercial Observer’s Top Young Professionals—can help elevate key team members, positioning them as rising leaders in the industry. These accolades not only boost credibility internally but also enhance visibility within the sector, making firms more attractive to potential clients and top talent. Recognizing individual achievements reinforces a firm’s commitment to leadership development and industry impact.

At UpSpring, we take awards as seriously as we do media relations. Each of our clients has a dedicated, heavily researched strategy for hitting their award goals—refined year over year. For our client TPG Architecture, we reduced the total number of award submissions by roughly half by reprioritizing our approach, while nearly doubling the selection rate from 31% in 2023 to 59% in 2024. By strategically assessing past wins, price, and competition, we ensure our clients' submissions are both cost-effective and highly successful.

The key to maximizing these benefits is a thoughtful, strategic approach to award submissions. By selecting the right awards, crafting compelling entries, and actively leveraging your wins, you can turn recognition into real business results. Let’s explore how to do just that.

we nearly double award selection rate for TPG Architecture (31% in 2023 to 59% in 2024)

Step 1: Choosing the Right Awards

Before you start filling out applications, it's essential to be strategic about which awards you pursue. Not all awards are created equal, and choosing the right ones can make the difference between meaningful recognition and wasted effort. The key is to focus on opportunities that align with your industry, business goals, and brand positioning.

How to Choose the Right Awards
  • Industry Relevance – Prioritize awards that are well-respected in your sector.
  • Prestige vs. Accessibility – Highly prestigious awards like Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies are tough to win, but niche industry awards can be easier and just as impactful. 
  • ROI Potential – Consider whether winning will bring media exposure, new business, or networking opportunities.
  • Application Effort – Some awards require extensive case studies and data. Make sure you have the resources to put together a strong entry.
  • Event Attendance & Membership – Some programs offer valuable networking opportunities, while others may not align as closely with your business goals. Consider whether attending the event or being affiliated with the organization provides long-term benefits before submitting. If you don’t find value in membership or event attendance, reconsider submitting.

Pro Tip: Research past winners to assess your chances. If previous winners are similar in size and scope to your company, it's a good fit. Also, evaluate the jury—check their bios, LinkedIn activity, and past work to anticipate what they might gravitate toward.

Step 2: Crafting a Standout Submission

Once you’ve identified the right awards, the real challenge begins—crafting a submission that stands out from the competition. Judges review dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications, so yours needs to be compelling, well-structured, and backed by evidence.

Key Elements of a Winning Submission
  • Follow the Criteria to the Letter
    Every award has specific judging criteria. Study it carefully and ensure your submission directly addresses each point. Many applications are rejected simply because they don’t answer the questions fully.
  • Tell a Story
    Facts and figures are essential, but storytelling makes your entry memorable. Use the classic “challenge, solution, result” framework:
    • Challenge – What problem were you solving?
    • Solution – How did you innovate or excel?
    • Result – What measurable impact did you achieve? (Include stats!)
  • Highlight Innovation and Impact
    Judges appreciate entries that showcase innovation and tangible impact. Instead of making broad claims, emphasize what makes your work unique and valuable. Awards such as the Best of Canada Awards and AN Best of Products specifically look for innovation in design, making them great opportunities to showcase cutting-edge work.
  • Include Testimonials and Media Coverage
    Third-party validation strengthens your case. Client testimonials, press mentions, and case studies add credibility. 
  • Make It Visually Appealing
    High-resolution, professional photography is essential—both for products and projects. Poor-quality images, or those that appear AI-generated or as low-quality renders when not requested, may not be taken seriously. Submitting the maximum number of allowed images ensures a well-rounded visual representation of your work. A visually compelling submission stands out from a sea of plain-text entries.

Pro Tip: If confidentiality is a concern, research which programs accommodate this. Some, like Fast Company, do not.

Step 3: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Even the best companies sometimes miss out on awards due to simple but avoidable mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls in advance can help ensure your submission doesn’t fall flat.

Common Award Submission Mistakes
  • Ignoring Guidelines – If you don’t follow instructions, judges won’t take you seriously.
  • Overhyping Without Evidence – Back up every claim with solid proof.
  • Submissions Without Strategic Value – If an award doesn't align with your business goals or networking priorities, reconsider the effort and investment.
  • Forgetting Deadlines – Many firms rush applications last-minute. Starting early increases the quality of your submission and allows time for revisions. Some awards programs also offer early bird pricing, allowing you to save on your submission fees.

Step 4: Leveraging Your Award Wins

Winning an award is just the beginning—what you do next determines how much value you get from your achievement. Awards can provide long-term benefits, but only if you actively promote and integrate them into your marketing and sales strategy.



How to Make the Most of Your Award Wins

Winning an award is just the beginning—what you do next determines how much value you get from your achievement. To truly capitalize on your recognition, integrate it into your broader marketing, sales, and PR strategy.

  • Amplify your win through PR and social media. Issue a press release, post about it on LinkedIn, and engage with the award organization’s social media to maximize visibility. High-quality graphics and professional visuals can further enhance engagement.
  • Update your marketing materials to reflect your award-winning status. Add award badges to your website, email signatures, and sales decks. Consider creating a dedicated webpage that highlights all of your accolades. If applicable, include award seals in proposals, reinforcing your credibility.
  • Your internal team should also be part of the celebration. Recognizing contributors fosters a culture of excellence and can improve employee morale. Encourage team members to share the news on their networks, further extending the reach of your win.
  • Awards also serve as an excellent sales tool. Use them as proof points in client pitches and proposals. When industry peers and clients see that your work has been independently validated, it reinforces trust and makes decision-making easier.
  • Leverage your recognition to secure editorial and speaking opportunities. Many awards programs offer winners exclusive media features. Use these wins as an entry point for securing additional press coverage and positioning company leaders for speaking engagements at industry events.

By taking a strategic approach to post-award promotion, you ensure that each win contributes to your broader business growth and visibility.

Ready to Win? Let’s Make It Happen

At UpSpring, we don’t just submit awards—we create a winning strategy. Our approach is deeply rooted in research, industry insights, and data-driven decision-making. We analyze past successes, competition, costs, and overall impact to craft a highly targeted submission strategy for each client. Our process includes:

  • Identifying the Right Awards – We assess industry relevance, ROI potential, and alignment with your business goals. Whether it's the Core77 Awards, Good Design Awards, or The Red Dot Award, we determine which programs will provide the most value for your brand.
  • Crafting Standout Submissions – Our team ensures every entry is compelling, well-structured, and backed by strong evidence.
  • Leveraging Award Wins – Beyond just winning, we help you maximize visibility through PR, social media, and sales strategies.
  • Refining Strategies Annually – We track success rates, refine award choices, and continuously improve submissions for even greater impact.

We approach awards with the same level of strategic thinking as media relations, ensuring every entry contributes to your overall brand and business growth.

Let’s take your credibility to the next level—get in touch today and start winning the recognition your business deserves!

LET'S TALK

[1]British Quality Foundation study, as reported by Best Business Awards
[2] U.S. Chamber of Commerce Study on Award-Winning Businesses
[3] Business Leader Survey on Award Influence
[4] Employee Recognition and Retention Study