Winning an award can communicate a lot to your employees, your clients, and your prospects.
But how do you win more awards?
First, you have to know what awards are out there – then you have to apply! The budget you have for awards, which ones will appeal to your ideal customers, and what makes sense for you – is up to you.
Here are some awards we’ve seen that might make sense!
1. Indie Awards
https://www.independentwestand.org/indies/
Who is it for: Small independent businesses
Criteria: Any business can submit in Best in Biz Awards, regardless of its size, industry, funding or geographic location within the awards region.
Price to submit: $250 to $350
2. Best and Brightest
https://thebestandbrightest.com/programs/nominations/
Who is it for: Small to large businesses
Criteria: Must be within the criteria on the website
Price to submit: No Known Fee
3. Inc 5000
https://www.inc.com/inc5000/apply/guide
Who is it for: Fast-growing private companies
Criteria: Must be inside of eligibility guidelines
Price to submit: No Known Fee
4. Best Places to Work for Innovators
https://www.fastcompany.com/apply/best-workplaces-for-innovators
Who is it for: Companies of all sizes, industries, and nations
Criteria: Organizations must demonstrate a serious and established commitment to building a culture of innovation that yields tangible results.
Price to submit: $595
5. Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award
https://www.uschamber.com/dream-big-awards
Who is it for: Small Businesses
Criteria: A business with under 250 employees and less than $20 million in revenue in each of the past two years
Price to submit: Members of the U.S. chamber of commerce get the fee waived, while non-members have a fee of $25
6. Best in the Biz Awards
http://www.bestinbizawards.com/
Who is it for: Any Business
Criteria: Any business no matter the size, industry, funding, or location can apply
Price to submit: $250 to $350
7. National Small Business Week Awards
https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/national-small-business-week-awards
Who is it for: Small Business
Criteria: Small Business Owners (defined by SBA standards) in the U.S.
Price to submit: No fee for nomination
8. The Stevies: American Business Awards – Web Achievements
Who is it for: Websites and Blogs
Criteria: Any organization or person in the United States can be nominated.
Price to submit: $225 – $345
9. The Stevies: American Business Awards – Marketing Awards
Who is it for: Marketing and Advertising Companies
Criteria: Any organization or person in the United States can be nominated.
Price to submit: Free – $555
10. The Stevies: American Business Awards – Company/Organization of the Year
Who is it for: Categories for Small, Medium, and Large
Criteria: Any organization or person in the United States can be nominated.
Price to submit: Free – $555
11. Business Intelligence Group – Best Places to Work
https://www.bintelligence.com/best-places-to-work
Who is it for: Companies of various sizes
Criteria: Any organization can be nominated
Price to submit: $499 – $799
12. Best of Small Business Awards – Small Business of the Year
https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/awards/
Who is it for: Small to Medium-sized businesses
Criteria: Must be a small to medium-sized business in order to be nominated
Price to submit: No known Fee
13. Best of Small Business Awards – Best Non-Profit
https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/awards/
Who is it for: Small to Medium-sized non-profits
Criteria: Must be a small to medium-sized business in order to be nominated
Price to submit: No known Fee
14. Best of Small Business Awards – Best SEO Company
https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/awards/
Who is it for: Small to Medium-sized SEO companies
Criteria: Must be a small to medium-sized business in order to be nominated
Price to submit: $150 for first entry, $50 for additional entry
15. Best of Small Business Awards – Best Marketing Company
https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/awards/
Who is it for: Small to Medium-sized marketing businesses
Criteria: Must be a small to medium-sized business in order to be nominated
Price to submit: No known Fee
16. NAVOBA Awards
https://navoba.org/certification/
Who is it for: Veteran-Owned Businesses
Criteria: Must have documentation to prove veteran status
Price to submit: $350 – $2000
Minnesota specific awards for our fellow Minnesota Companies!
17. Star Tribune Top Places to Work
https://topworkplaces.com/nominate/startribune/
Who is it for: Minnesota companies and businesses
Criteria: Must be a Minnesota based Company
Price to submit: Free
18. Southern Minnesota Small Business Awards
https://www.myminnesotabusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Nomination-Form.pdf
Who is it for: Small Businesses in Southern Minnesota
Criteria: Must be within the guidelines of the general eligibility of the SBDC Southern Minnesota Small Business Awards.
Price to submit: No known Fee
19. Saint Paul Business Awards
https://www.stpaul.gov/businesses/saint-paul-business-awards
Who is it for: Local Saint Paul Businesses
Criteria: Must be a business is Saint Paul that provides critical services, contribute to the community, and invest in their employees.
Price to submit: No known Fee
20. Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal Best Places to Work
Who is it for: Businesses in Twin Cities Area
Criteria: Need 10 employees or more within the Twin Cities Area
Price to submit: $2 fee for paper surveys that cover the cost of data entry
21. Northern Lights Award – Creative Achievement
https://www.magconline.org/How-to-Enter
Who is it for: Illustration or Graphic, Logo, Photography, Writing
Criteria: The Northern Lights Awards competition is open to communicators in the public sector (including federal, state, regional and local government agencies; nonprofit agencies with a government-related mission, and school districts) and to producers in the private sector who have completed work on behalf of communicators in the above-listed categories.
Price to submit: $110 for non MAGC and MACTA members, $85 for members.
22. Northern Lights Award – Publications
https://www.magconline.org/How-to-Enter
Who is it for: Publications, Newsletter/Magazine, program or catalog
Criteria: The Northern Lights Awards competition is open to communicators in the public sector (including federal, state, regional and local government agencies; nonprofit agencies with a government-related mission, and school districts) and to producers in the private sector who have completed work on behalf of communicators in the above-listed categories.
Price to submit: $110 for non MAGC and MACTA members, $85 for members.
23. Northern Lights Award – Video
https://www.magconline.org/How-to-Enter
Who is it for: Video Agency, Instructional Video, Talk Show, Promotional Video, Public Safety Video, Video Campaign, Video/Media Campaign
Criteria: The Northern Lights Awards competition is open to communicators in the public sector (including federal, state, regional and local government agencies; nonprofit agencies with a government-related mission, and school districts) and to producers in the private sector who have completed work on behalf of communicators in the above-listed categories.
Price to submit: $110 for non MAGC and MACTA members, $85 for members.
24. Northern Lights Award – Digital Communications and Engagement
https://www.magconline.org/How-to-Enter
Who is it for: Community Engagement, Social Media Engagement, Website Design
Criteria: The Northern Lights Awards competition is open to communicators in the public sector (including federal, state, regional and local government agencies; nonprofit agencies with a government-related mission, and school districts) and to producers in the private sector who have completed work on behalf of communicators in the above-listed categories.
Price to submit: $110 for non MAGC and MACTA members, $85 for members.
25. Twin Cities Business – Minnesota Family Business Awards
http://tcbmag.com/mfbaentry
Who is it for: Minnesota Family-Owned Businesses
Criteria: Must be a family-owned business in Minnesota
Price to submit: No known Fee
Hopefully, this gives you a few options that your company can apply to, so get out there and apply! Good luck!
