Small business awards are among the best ways to raise your company’s profile, build its reputation, earn positive PR, and attract new customers. Few marketing tactics can beat a trophy, medallion, certificate in your window, laurel wreath, or official certification from independent judges on your website.
Winning these honors isn’t just a great way to launch your business to the forefront of your small business community — it’s also good for your team’s morale. What better way to recognize and celebrate their efforts than to nominate them for an award? Moreover, many awards programs offer benefits to all participants, not just the ultimate winner.
Here’s a free guide with tips to win a small business award to help you give your company its best shot of winning an award in 2025.
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Tip #1: Reluctant to apply? You can only be a winner if you try
Many entrepreneurs, small business owners, founders, and other business leaders are reluctant to nominate their own company for a small business award because they may feel like doing so would constitute boasting. That’s why the first best practice to winning awards is pushing past these self-limiting beliefs.
Leadership at companies big and small across the U.S. submit their business, their team members, and themselves for every possible award regularly. If you aren’t doing the same, you are neglecting a routine part of doing business. There’s also no way to win one of these achievements if you never try.
Even if you’re convinced your business won’t win, it still pays to apply to these contests. Just being up for a vote can serve as a marketing campaign that helps raise your company’s profile. Think of it as an opportunity to grow brand awareness!
In addition, many of these competitions have a networking component that connects participants of all kinds to each other — as well as to the one winner at the end. There’s no better way to form professional connections, explore new partnerships, and get expert tips from the leading minds in your industry.
Tip #2: Match your small business to the right business award categories
Probably every small business person dreams of being named Entrepreneur of the Year, and many covet a spot on the list of the top 100 small businesses. The best place to start, however, is smaller and more local.
Most of America’s cities have a Chamber of Commerce that runs a recognition program for companies in the local area. Award winners are usually named in each business sector, such as the different kinds of restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. There’s often an award ceremony where winners receive their accolades, and the whole business community comes together.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also holds a National Small Business Week every year to highlight successful businesses nationwide. As part of this initiative, the best local businesses in all 50 states receive recognition for their contributions to the American economy.
Another major organization that gives out prestigious awards is the Stevie Awards, which offer accolades for businesses in every corner of the globe. Their American Business Awards offer multiple awards with several categories for every aspect of business, from marketing and management to customer service and graphic design. Whatever critical contributions your business has made, there’s sure to be a “Stevie” that honors exemplary work of that sort.
Tip #3: Master the 2025 calendar for awards
Some major award organizations have already closed nominations for 2025. For instance, the deadline for the SBA submissions was December 2024, while the one for the Stevie Awards was Feb. 5, 2025.
For this reason, the first thing you should do is make a note on your calendar to apply to these awards in the fall when the window reopens for applications.
Yet there are still many opportunities to become a finalist this year. The Stellar Business Awards committee, for example, vets submissions year-round. Their online form only takes five minutes to complete. This organization’s panel of independent judges looks for entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and ingenuity, seeking to understand what makes every business special. These awards recognize not only how you run your business but also how your enterprise contributes to your unique local marketplace.
Tip #4: Research previous winners
Many of these awards programs attract hundreds of hopeful candidates every year, but only one winner can emerge from all those applications. That’s why it’s important to make your file as strong as possible.
To do this, consider researching the previous winners, runners-up, honorable mentions, and other honorees in the categories you want to vie for. By studying how they have distinguished themselves from the pack, you can strengthen your candidacy while simultaneously getting new ideas for your business.
Tips to Win a Small Business Award and Celebrate Your Success
Whether you’re brand new to applying for awards or a veteran who wrote the tips on how to win small business awards, make award applications a priority this year.
Picture the moment: the master of ceremonies announces your name, the audience erupts in applause, and you step up to accept your well-earned award. This achievement can be yours—if you take the initiative to nominate your business. Use these tips to position yourself as a strong contender and turn your hard work into a winning moment.
This thrill can be yours — but only if you nominate your business for an award.