Many of us feel a little hesitant to talk about our professional accomplishments for fear that we’ll look like we’re bragging. But if you change your mindset and begin to think of self-promotion as marketing your professional brand, the idea of talking yourself up—or even nominating yourself for an award—becomes a little less intimidating. 

Awards are a great, socially acceptable way to promote yourself—one where others actually look forward to celebrating the things you’ve achieved. Winning an industry award can truly be a career game-changer.

Over the last few years, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that industry awards can have on people in their field through the Women in Content Marketing Awards (WICMAs). Our company Masthead launched these awards in 2018 because we saw that women were accomplishing tremendous things in the world of content marketing—but weren’t being recognized widely for their efforts. 

Within the first year of hosting the WICMAs, the winners began sharing how the awards transformed their experience within the content industry.

“My WICMA win for Freelance Excellence not only helped me feel like I’m on the right track as an independent writer in the uncertain world of freelancing, but it opened up new doors that I couldn’t have imagined before,” says Mia McPherson, winner of the 2022 Freelance Excellence award. “It has offered me added credibility, opportunity, and confidence.”

Several WICMA judges and participants have used the awards as an opportunity to network with others in their space—and some have even found new jobs through those connections.

Knowing that awards can be a fantastic springboard for your career, you’ve got good reason to put yourself out there. Here’s what to keep in mind as you consider which award to enter—and how to create a winning submission.

How to Choose the Right Award

The first thing to do is find an award that fits your niche and expertise. You can: 

• Look for regulatory bodies in your field—the Content Marketing Institute, for example, hosts the Content Marketing Awards. 

• Consider skill-specific awards such as the Excellence in Financial Journalism awards. 

• Look at the website or LinkedIn of someone in your field that you admire for the awards they’ve won or been nominated for. 

Aside from the WICMAs and Content Marketing Awards, check out the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the APEX Awards for Publication Excellence.

Demonstrate Why You Deserve to Win

When it’s time to complete an application or a nomination packet for an award, have your metrics at the ready. Data that demonstrates to judges how you achieved growth or business objectives will help you stand out as a worthy candidate for consideration. Include any measurable data you contributed to, such as sales numbers, engagement, and revenue. 

To keep yourself application-ready, ensure you’re tracking and filing away the metrics of your success throughout the year, so you can tap into them when you discover an award you’d like to apply for.

Tell a Great Story

Since data is only half the picture, be ready to skillfully tell your story in a way that compels the judges of any given award. 

Be creative. Don't just list your resume; describe your efforts in detail and show why they made a difference. Talk about how you started your business or career, challenges you had to overcome, and why what you do is necessary in your industry. 

Focus on any soft skills, too. If the mentorship you provided to someone else is relevant to mention, include it. Don’t hold back—this is your moment to shine. 

“I feel my immigrant status helped shape how I approach my work, so I thought, why not include that in my entry?” says Kelly Meehan Brown, WICMA 2023 Rising Star winner, originally from Ireland. “I never knew where my career would take me, but taking the time to explain how I got to where I am may have given me an edge in being selected for this award.”

Get Outside Input

If you’re struggling to describe your accomplishments, ask yourself what your peers would say about you. Or go one further: Ask them for their written feedback. The way others see us is often more accurate than the way we see ourselves. 

During the WICMAs, we see wonderful praise pour in from third parties about their favorite women in marketing. So go ahead and ask for input from others to help you position your application in the best way possible.

How to Maximize the Opportunity of Industry Awards

Make sure you connect with the other nominees and winners on LinkedIn or in person. These new connections can lead to new business and open other doors for you. It also helps you stay up-to-date with what the best in the business are doing. 

If a nomination or win comes your way, share the news on your socials, in your email footer, in your newsletters—shout it from the rooftops! Add “nominee” or “award-winner” to your LinkedIn profile. Make sure everyone knows you’ve been recognized. Tag fellow nominees or winners in your posts to show your support. 

“Sharing my win on social media got me noticed and led to me being accepted to the Women’s Media Group,” says Meehan Brown. “And to think—I almost didn’t nominate myself! I couldn’t be happier that I overcame my squeamishness and went for it.”